Avenue Q, which debuted on Broadway in 2003, moved to a more intimate off-Broadway setting in 2009. This musical, which won a Tony Award in 2004, tells the story of four college graduates whose lives do not turn out the way that they expected them to. Princeton, played by Ben Durocher, moves to run-down Avenue Q with big dreams, but not many occupational prospects. Throughout the play, he struggles to find his purpose in life, while balancing job hunting and new relationships. His friends Kate Monster (the girl next door), Rod (the closeted banker) and Nicky (the good friend) go through similar experiences.
Despite the use of multiple puppets that resemble the cast of Sesame Street, this racy show is not appropriate for young children. Its humorous jokes revolve around touchy subjects such as peer pressure, sex, drugs and porn; all of which are encouraged by the Bad Idea Bears, played by Kerri Brackin and Jason Jacoby. The entire play is a conversation with the audience. With interactive songs such as “The Money Song,” and fun multimedia clips, Avenue Q attempts to reach the audience on a personal level. Each song teaches a new lesson in a facetious way. Most of these lessons mirror major issues that college students deal with once they graduate. For instance, Kate Monster’s relationship with Princeton shows how hard first loves and first heartbreaks can be for young people.
The overarching theme of this musical involves figuring out what to do with the rest of one’s life. Princeton, who graduated with an English degree, finds himself singing, “What do you do with a B.A. in English?” in the first scene of the play. Similarly, Kate, who wants to open a school for monsters, feels downtrodden by the fact that she is working for a grouchy old teacher who gives her little to none of the responsibility she so desperately craves. This situation mirrors a college student’s eternal struggle toward self-awareness and self-actualization. Graduation puts them in a frightening, yet pivotal phase of their life. Dana Steingold, who plays Kate Monster, says it is okay for students’ paths to be different than that which they had expected. She encourages students to say yes to whatever opportunity comes their way. Ben Durocher adds, “Don’t expect things to fall into your lap. Put yourself out there and create your own opportunities if you aren’t happy with those that are presented to you.”
Furthermore, Avenue Q tackles many political issues, such as racism. The theatrical number, “Everybody’s a Little Racist,” leaves some audience members wondering if they should laugh or be appalled. Amidst a sea of racist jokes, this song makes the point that every person has preconceived notions about other ethnicities and races. Steingold and Ben Durocher say that at times, it can be extremely uncomfortable to perform this song, depending on what the political climate is like that day. Issues like these are difficult to talk about, but tensions seem to be eased due to the use of a puppet. Steingold says, “You can say these things as a puppet, but not as a human. When a child says something, it’s less threatening. The use of puppets is really what makes the show work.”
It is true that the use of puppets gives this show a unique twist. No matter how old you are or where you went to college, Avenue Q tells a tale that is easy to relate to and that can indulge your childhood desires. Furthermore, the post-college experience can be rather intimidating, but this musical urges students to enjoy this period of their life. Take risks and don’t be afraid to try new things. Sometimes, listening to the Bad Idea Bears makes for a great story.
