Avenue Q
Reviewed by Julia Stier
The Group Rep
Through July 7
Don’t let the sweet, fuzzy faces of these puppets fool you — this is no Sesame Street. Welcome to Avenue Q, where the adults are all just trying to figure life out.
A Tony Award–winning musical directed by Patrick Burke at The Lonny Chapman Theatre,Avenue Q follows a 22-year-old recent college graduate named Princeton during his first year in the real world. Catchy songs such as “It Sucks to Be Me,” “If You Were Gay,” and “I Wish I Could Go Back to College” give the audience a peek into the lives of Princeton and his new neighbors on Avenue Q.
The lyrics (music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx) are both witty and relatable, and while the story (book by Jeff Whitty) doesn’t go deep, the show is infused with life thanks to the puppets and an animated and lively cast.
Some of the actors have more than one role. Joey Flint plays an earnest Princeton, but he’s even better in his second role as the neurotic and closeted Rod. Hartley Powers is sincere and chipper as Kate Monster. Her beautiful rendition of “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” brings depth to a somewhat silly show, in contrast to her portrayal of Lucy the Slut, where she pulls out a deliciously sultry voice. Troy Whitaker draws bellowing laughter whenever he takes on the show’s two quirkiest characters, Nicky and Trekkie Monster. Ashkhan Aref and Kristina Reyes play the sweet but slightly dysfunctional couple, Brian and Christmas Eve, while Courtney Bruce impersonates a wide-smiling Gary Coleman. Harley Walker pops in as Mrs. Thistletwat and as Girl Bear, and is so emblazoned with energy, I would have liked to have seen more of her.
For a night of silly songs, Avenue Q is the place to be.
The Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; through Jul. 7. https://www.thegrouprep.com. Running time: two hours and five minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
