Wake Up Winnipeg - Episode 107
Hosted Live/Produced/Recorded by: Andru Valpy
Air Date: 01/13/2012 6:00 PM on UMFM 101.5 FM
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Rebroadcast: 01/18/2012 on CJUM 101.5 UMFM - 6:30 AM
Earlier this week we had learned that the hit Broadway musical Avenue Q would be making its Winnipeg debut from February 2 through February 5 at the Gas Station Arts Centre.
We felt it only fitting that we reflect back on the play as host Andru Valpy had recently seen the production at the New World Stages on a recent visit to New York City.
Aimless & Andy Review - AVENUE Q - NEW WORLD STAGES - New York, NY, USA
By: Andru Valpy
Avenue Q - New World Stages
340 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (646) 871-1730 New York, NY 10019
- Price: $69.50-$126.50 (USD)
- Aimless & Andy Rating: 5 (out of 5).
- Features: Slap Stick Comedy, Adult Humor, Catchy Broadway Songs
Since it's debut in 2003, Avenue Q has brought laughter into the hearts of those who are brave enough to see the musical production. The production has won three tony awards, including the best musical award in 2003.
On Sunday May 22nd, 2011 I had the opportunity to review Avenue Q at New York City's famed New World Stages. Though I went into the production expecting some laughs, I had no idea as to what the level of comedy the of Avenue Q would bring to the stage. After watching the two hour production, I can tell you I was honestly blown away by how much I actually laughed.
The show is based on a street called Avenue Q, a lower income street in the hustling bustling city of New York. The players, Princeton (a recent college graduate), Kate Monster (a kindergarten teaching assistant), Rod (a stiff banker) and his lazy room-mate Nicky, Brian (a recently unemployed comedian) and his Asian girlfriend Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster (A perverted next-door neighbor) and childhood star Garry Coleman who is a superintendent in the building the characters live in.
Immediately upon the start of the show I felt as if I had walked into a continuation of a episode of Sesame Street, except this time all of the characters had grown up and been faced with real life adult situations.
The staff at Avenue Q have gone out of their way to crush any association with the Jim Henson production by including the following statement in their Playbill program:
"Avenue Q has not been authorized or approved in any manner by The Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content".
Though the production itself bears a lot of similarities to Sesame Street (including very convincing puppets), the storyline would dare not be included in the original television production.
Think: X-Rated Sesame Street.
The opening act introduces us to Princeton who has just found his way into a apartment block on Avenue Q who finds himself asking the age old question "What do you do with a B.A. In English".
Like any other college graduate, Princeton is unsure of his place in the world, but remains committed to making a difference in the human race.
After taking a vacant suite in the apartment block Princeton is introduced to the rest of the cast and gets into a comedic debate over who's life sucks more. Ultimately, it was decided that all of the characters (and audiences) life sucked equally.
Moments later, Nicky attempts to discuss the subject of homosexuality with his anal-retentive room-mate Rod, who very defensively states he wants nothing to do with the conversation. Nicky politely attempts to call Rod out of the closet and encourages him to let loose. As his best friend and room-mate, Nicky explains that If Rod Was Gay, It would Be Okay and expresses his support on the subject. Rod once again attempts to change the subject and denies any of Nicky's allegations leading the audience to believe he is in denial.
The audience was brought back to Princeton, who after kicking himself earlier in the show is determined to find his Purpose in life. After finding a lucky penny from the year he was born, he is motivated to find his purpose and has a feeling "something is coming, something good".
Feeling better about himself, Princeton runs into girl next door Kate Monster who has developed a crush on the new kid on the block. While attempting to learn more about Kate Monster, Princeton starts to ask about Kate's family background:
He asks if she and Trekkie Monster were related, which causes Kate to take a step back and express her concern. She explains to Princeton that it was very presumptions of him to ask him such a sensitive question and also feels it was a bit racist.
Princeton attempts to defend himself and educates Kate that Everyone's a little bit racist.
To be quite honest, this was the song that originally sold me on attending Avenue Q out of the multitude of Broadway productions that New York City has to offer.
This single song is very comedic but also honest and blatantly true.
It reaches out to various races and educates it's audiences that deep-down every one really is racist, as the title suggests.
"Perhaps it's a fact we all should face.The story continues with the characters finding themselves in a variety of real life situations including a near x-rated love scene (which had me in tears laughing) and a brief discussion on the true purpose of the Internet.
Ethnic jokes, may be uncouth, but you laugh because they are based on truth. Don't take them as personal attacks, everyone enjoys them so relax.
If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit, even though we all know that it's wrong, maybe it would help us get along."
The story line is appropriate for those 16 and up and seems like it was designed to have the audience go back to a near child like state before judgments and stereotypes were known to them.
The production continues to be successful at the New World Stages with seat sales generally selling out on a daily basis.
Next time you are in New York City, I highly suggest you stop by Avenue Q as it is a Off-Broadway play that is not to be missed.
More information about Avenue Q may be found online at http://www.avenueq.com/.
Ending off this weeks show, we featured a track from the original Broadway recording of Avenue Q entitled What do you do with a B.A. In English"
You can catch us live each week on UMFM 101.5 FM in Winnipeg or worldwide online at http://umfm.com. New episodes air Friday evenings at 6:00 PM CST with episodes being repeated on Wednesday mornings at 6:30 am.
Select episodes of our show can be found for free in the iTunes Music Store via our podcast. For more information, please visit http://wakeupwinnipeg.com or follow us on twitter at twitter.com/wakeupwinnipeg
Until next week,
-Av
(c) 2011 A. Valpy - Wake Up Winnipeg/UMFM
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