Avenue Q: I Don’t Think We’re On Sesame Street Anymore, Toto! ~ Theatre Review

Hills Musical Company – Stirling Community Theatre, Sat 17 Nov. Free sherry on arrival – thanks HMC! Hills Musical Company’s version of this all-singing all-dancing adults-only Sesame Street parody leaves each audience member with a smile on their face and an earworm or two to hum along to. Originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group, Hills Musical Company have done a magnificent job of recreating Avenue Q in all of its naughtiest glory. Princeton is a 23-year-old college graduate who arrives on Avenue Q, eager to start a new job in the city and looking for an affordable place to rent. He meets the super, Gary Coleman (yes, of Diff’rent Strokes fame), and neighbours Brian and his Japanese fiancé, Christmas Eve, along with Kate Monster, Trekkie Monster, and flatmates Rod and Nicky. Princeton and Kate Monster drink a little too much Long Island Iced Tea one night (aided and abetted by the Bad Idea Bears), leading to a night of unbridled passion. #puppetsex. Complications ensue. Lucy T. Slut (played by Shelley Crooks) interferes and ultimately meets a satisfyingly karmic end. Meanwhile, Rod and Nicky (superb performances by Ray Cullen and Warren Logan) are struggling with the dynamics of their friendship and their identities. The accomplished and cohesive cast has human characters performed by Mark DeLaine (Brian), Jess Goc-ong (Christmas Eve), and Alisa James (Gary Coleman) interacting seamlessly with puppets. The talented actors/puppeteers mirror the body language and facial expressions of their felt and fur characters, adding depth to the performances. There’s something for everyone in this show, with as many laugh-out-loud moments as there are politically-incorrect or thought-provoking ones. Michael Bates as Princeton had the audience laughing from the first lines of What Do You Do With A BA In English? Kate Monster (Kate Hodges) is everyone woman who hasn’t felt enough – pretty enough, smart enough, whatever enough – and who has had their heart broken. Christmas Eve is a quasi-therapist who shares gems such as “the more you love someone, the more you want to kill him!” With songs including Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist and The Internet Is For Porn, you’ll be singing inappropriate lyrics for days. 5 stars Tori Brookes Avenue Q continues at Stirling Community Theatre, 9 Avenue Rd, Stirling, from 8pm until Sat 24 Nov. Bookings at hillsmusical.org.au and 7481 6152. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.