Avenue Q

I finally made time to see Avenue Q. Despite being in the last week of its run, the cast was amazingly energetic and delivered a top-quality show. I’ve been a big fan for years, having first being introduced at Radio Skid Row to “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, and subsequently to the World of Warcraft machinima for “The Internet is for Porn”. While these two numbers are definitely showstoppers, obtaining the complete soundtrack [iTunes] revealed a complete and touching story.

Years of listening to the Broadway recording had no impact on the amazement that live performance of this show induces. The puppets are expressive and human, and all their love, jealousy, pleasure and pain are laid bare (quite literally in some cases) to see.

I did find it interesting that the Japanese human character, Christmas Eve, was played by Christina O’Neill… a decided non-Japanese actress. Don’t get me wrong, O’Neill did a great job playing a “stereotypical fresh-off-the-boat” Asian. And I guess that quality of her performance aside, her casting could have been a statement regarding physical typecasting. Certainly Gary Coleman wasn’t played by a man.

Unfortunately for those in Sydney, the show ends its run tonight, but will be touring the rest of the country. I recommend seeing it when it blows into town. Just don’t take the kids with you.