Performances at
the Strand Theatre: 717 Clay Street:
It's rare that the Westside Theatre Foundation does
the same show twice, but they are presenting an encore run of Avenue Q,
which was last at the Strand in 2017. "It was a popular and successful
show back then, and many have encouraged us to bring it back," according
to Jack Burns, director of the show (then and now). "But I think the
most influential opinions were of the puppets themselves. And Paul
Salgado, who is producing the show." Avenue Q is a musical comedy which
looks a lot like an episode of Sesame Street. It takes place on a city
block and features young people who need life lessons, which are
supplied by a group of singing puppets. But Avenue Q has definitely not
been authorized or approved by Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop,
which have no responsibility for its content. The characters who need
advice are twenty somethings, and the the lessons they learn are about
becoming adults. "So, I'd call it R rated: not for kids, in other
words."
The
show involves a dozen or more puppets which all had to be hand made by
Burns and a number of volunteers he refers to as the Acme Puppet
Factory. "We could have rented puppets, but where's the fun in that?
First we had to make them, then we had to figure out how to effectively
operate them while singing, talking, and acting. Stacey Schrader was our
puppeteering coach first time around. So, after the show was over, we
put all the puppets in the balcony where they've been watching whatever
we do for the last six years. They wanted back on the stage. I could see
it in their eyes."
In
addition to all the puppets, Tessa Scandizzo returns as Kate Monster,
along with Cameron Gates as Trekkie Monster, and Brian T. Sessums as
Rod. New cast members had to be found for several roles including Crorey
Lawton as Princeton; Nia R. Hurst as Gary Coleman; Izvistia Robertson
as Christmas Eve; Hunter Weeks as Brian; Mark Jourdan as Nicky; and
Ashley Schutt as Lucy.
Advance
tickets are available for $20 at Highway 61 Coffeehouse, and online: (click here.) Online tickets will have a service charge added.
They will be $25 at the door.
Princeton and Lucy (a puppet of questionable morals)