Have you been to Avenue Q?

Eight years into its run with a 2004 Best Musical Tony Award, a stint in London, Las Vegas, on tour worldwide and a journey from its origins off-Broadway, then to Broadway, and now back to off-Broadway, Avenue Q remains one of the most entertaining, witty, fun-filled shows in town.

With theater my greatest passion, along with travel, I am usually attending a show a couple of nights a week. Last Wednesday I made a return visit to Avenue Q (which I first saw in previews July 2003), now comfortably settled at its home at one of my favorite theatre spaces, New World Stages.  If you haven't seen this wicked little musical, which, in fact, beat "Wicked" in the Tony race for best musical, you are SO missing out on a fantastic evening.

This amazingly talented cast performs their roles and masterful puppetry in a seamless blend.  Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. There's Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fianceé Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod - a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster (with one of the show's most hilarious musical numbers); and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And would you believe the building's superintendent is Gary Coleman?!? (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.  It's a laugh-out-loud, raunchy, riotous and endearing journey you take with these characters ...with catchy, bouncy tunes and brilliant lyrics that will live on in your memory long after leaving the theater.   See the show and you'll certainly know what I mean.  

My partner Alan and I met the cast following the show...check out some of the pics and vid clip below.

To my readers, use this exclusive code AQBLOG12 to get tickets for as low as $55!  Valid through 5/26/11.   Don't miss it - you'll be glad you went.   New World Stages is located 340 West 50th Street, New York.  Go to the box office or call Telecharge at 212-239-6200.

Rod, Jonathan Root (who plays him) and me

My partner Alan, with Trekkie Monster