Avenue Q: Imagine Productions
Music & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.
At the opening we meet Princeton (Steven Carnahan), in a graduation cap and gown, who wonders what he is now going to do after graduation. On a dilapidated street in an outer-outer borough of the city, Brian (Carl Stolzenburg) and Kate Monster (Michelle Winberry) both agree that life is not treating them fairly. He is unemployed; she is single. Joining in the chorus are embattled roommates, Nicky (Brand Boring) and Rod (Todd Holland); Brian's Japanese fiancée, Christmas Eve (Emma Harvey); and finally Gary Coleman — yes, that Gary Coleman (Lena Haleem) — who's the neighborhood's superintendent. He helps new arrival Princeton get an apartment, then the hilarity ensues.
I would like to first thank Imagine Productions of Columbus for inviting me to review one of my favorite shows, and they could not have found a more welcoming or warm space with Wall Street Night Club. The first thing you will notice is the grand facade of a New York City Apartment Building as far away as possible from Time Square and Manhattan as you can get. It is inviting and just a bit grody, with subtle graffiti and a trash can that could very easily house a “Grouch.” Imagine did a wonderful job with bringing the PBS, Sesame Street vibe to this little nook in the heart of downtown Columbus.
The Thing that makes Avenue Q, a wonderful and believable satire on real life is the Sesame Street vibe, the Adult life with puppets and songs to teach how to accept ourselves, accept each-other, learn how to love and find our purpose. This Cast gives a huge unified voice, and always on key! Vocally this show is very close to the original and at first I was annoyed with the choices to “mimic” the original characters voices...but each player found their own voice within themselves and pulled me out of my angst “they are just copying the original mood” a feat not easily done.
For this show to succeed it must become a believable entity, and the most important way to do this is with the puppets, by making them an extension of the actors themselves we are allowed a glimpse into our own reactions and you will find yourself not looking at the actor but that fuzzy little monster on their arms. The cast as a whole did a wonderful job at this though some of them had a bit of a repetitive streak in their movements, one stood out above all else.
Michelle Winberry is our Kate Monster and not only does she have a booming voice that shakes the house even without a microphone, she has a rare ability to give an inanimate object life. Alongside her is a stellar cast of fun and quirky original people.
Steve Carnahan as Princeton, is just shy enough, just unsure enough, and just bright eyed and bushy tailed to give us a good performance. Playing a character a bit down played can allow the others to shine, and in a show full of puppets...the straight man has to be a little under-toned.
Carl Stolzenburg as Brian, the “Late Night Comedian” is just that. He is a caricature of real life. Very much your live guest host on the Muppet Show. Always there with a smile, a joke or two and shirt that just mind blind you. Carl gives a great performance.
Todd Holland as Rod, the closeted homosexual puppet (a line I never thought I would write). It’s a breath of fresh air to see someone who knows just the right pacing and mannerisms to make Rod just gay enough to not be too sure and just gay enough that when we find out...it’s laughable. Todd’s performance is highlighted by his best friend, and perfectly timed.
Brandon Boring as Nicky, plays off our other characters so well and his almost Kermit the Frog voice and unkempt look showed me just how lucky I am to live alone! Don’t let Brandon’s last name fool you he is far from boring truly an outstanding performer.
Mark Walker as Trekkie Monster...made me feel dirty In The Best Way! I refuse to say more about it, you have to see it yourself.
Emma Harvey as Christmas Eve is (in my best Charlie Chan Impression) Wonderfur...so Sirry...and gives a Grand Performance.
Lena Haleem as Gary Coleman Whatya-Talkin-Bout...it gets old...No it doesn’t, at least not with Lena she is an energetic breath of fresh air. Also who doesn’t like learning a little german from a child star of the 80’s?
Annie Bobbitt as Lucy the Slut, she...won’t let you look away. I loved Annie’s interpretation because every step she takes makes you look at her...I am not sure how to describe the bustiness of a puppet...let’s go with mountain peaks! Truly a funny and Slutty performance.
Lisa McNally and Eric Neuenschwander as the Bad Idea Bears, at one point had me wanting to yell no Kate Monster don’t do it! Like I used to watching children’s t.v. with a little bit of improvement on overall timing these two actor’s will be a highlight of devilishness the Avenue Q crew needs!
and Finally the Crew including, Director: Corey Notman, Assistant Director: Andrea Klinker, Music Director: Tim Valentine, Stage Manager: Katie Poole, Choreographer: Nikki Rehmert, Costumer: Jackie Farbeann and Puppet Designer: Joel Gennari. Congratulations on a well rounded and unified vision of this comedic show! There was a unified direction there that rivals some other shows I have recently viewed in the area Great Job.
Grab your tickets today from Imagine Productions before the show sells out.
Show times are:
Wednesday, June 20 – 7:30pm (18 and up)
Friday, June 22 – 7:30pm (18 and up)Saturday, June 23 Sunday, June 24 – 5:00pm (Friends & Family Performance, Under 18 Allowed) Wednesday, June 27 Friday, June 29 Saturday Sunday, July 1 – 5:00pm (Friends & Family Performance, Under 18 Allowed)
Location
Wall Street Nightclub 144 N Wall St Columbus, Ohio 43201
