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Grown-up life lessons from puppets on ‘Avenue Q’
Broadway Across America presents “Avenue Q,” music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, through May 3, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut, Cincinnati. $27-$80. (800) 982-2787.
‘Avenue Q’ FAQs at the jump …..
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David Benoit was trained at the Boston Conservatory and had been building a respectable career as a theater performer when the puppets intervened.
He was on tour with “Les Miserables” when he got a call from the producers of the national tour of “Avenue Q,” the Tony-winning adult puppet show, gave him a call.
“They realized the talent pool of experience puppeteers wasn’t as big as they thought,” he said. “What puppet people they could find either couldn’t sing or couldn’t do it eight times a week, so they realized they had to turn to conventional theater performers”
There wasn’t any advance training for the audition, he said, “they just put a puppet on my hand and said ‘Go!’”
That went well enough that he earned two days of puppet training and a call-back.
“It’s a very humbling skill,” he said, and even though he’s got a year-and-a-half under his belt, “I’m still working at it. It looks easy from the audience, but it’s a very specific skill that takes a lot of work.”
He has two primary characters — Trekkie Monster, the reclusive porn addict, and the slacker Nicky— in addition to a few secondary puppet characters, and some of it requires tightly choreographed movements with two performers manipulating a single puppet.
The show, he said, is a children’s show for adults. That is, while modeled after shows like “Sesame Street” and “The Electric Company,” instead of teaching you the ABCs and 123s, you learn adult life lessons from puppets who have very human life experiences.
“It’s a very funny show,” Benoit said, “and very witty, and at the end of the day, the audience has some sympathy and compassion for these puppets.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Avenue Q about?
Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone’s looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a “purpose.” Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that “the real world” isn’t so bad, after all!
Is Avenue Q just a grown up version of Sesame Street?
No. There should never be a comparison between Sesame Street or Jim Henson’s Children’s Television Workshop and Avenue Q. Rather, Avenue Q is homage to all children’s television teaching life lessons for adults such as paying bills, getting a job and finding love.
Is Avenue Q a puppet show for children?
Due to adult situations (like full-puppet nudity), Avenue Q may not be appropriate for kids. Parental guidance is suggested.
Who lives on Avenue Q?
Princeton - a recent college graduate who moves to Avenue Q to find his purpose in life
Kate Monster - a kindergarten teaching assistant who wants to find a boyfriend and start a special school for Monsters
Nicky - Rod’s roommate, a slacker
Rod - Nicky’s roommate, a Republican investment banker who won’t admit he’s gay
Trekkie Monster - a reclusive porn addict
Lucy The Slut - a sexy cabaret singer
Gary Coleman - the former child star from the sitcom Diff’rent Strokes and superintendent on Avenue Q
Christmas Eve - Brian’s fiancée, a feisty Japanese therapist
Brian - Christmas Eve’s fiancé, a 32-year old aspiring comedian
The Bad Idea Bears - Princeton and Kate’s inner devils
Mrs. T. - Kate’s boss, an elderly kindergarten teacher
How long is Avenue Q?
The show is 2 hours and 10 minutes including a 20 minute intermission.
Who is starring in the show?
Avenue Q is an ensemble show with many talented actors. The show features new, young and gifted performers.
What awards has Avenue Q won?
2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, and nominations for Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Best Performance by a Leading Actor and Best Director of a Musical, Jason Moore
2003 Drama Desk award nominations for Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Leading Actress, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music.
Also nominated for a Grammy Award for Outstanding Broadway Soundtrack.
Who created Avenue Q?
Avenue Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; and is directed by Jason Moore; puppet design by Rick Lyon, musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.
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