Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Avenue Q returns!!!


Performances at 

the Strand Theatre: 717 Clay Street:

 

Friday, March 17 - 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 18 - 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 19 - 4 PM

Friday, March 24 - 7:30 PM

Saturday, March 25 - 7:30 PM

Sunday, March 26 - 4 PM

 

 

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)