Two One Way Tickets to Broadway, an Edmonton theatre company just keeps pushing the edge. They are producing Avenue Q, the 2003 Triple Crown winner of Broadway’s Tony Awards.
“They never expected to beat out Wicked, so it was quite a coup for them,” says St. Albert publicist Lucy Haines.
Avenue Q, a risqué puppet show, won Tonys for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score and it is debuting in Edmonton June 15 to 30 at La Cite francophone.
Directed by Linette Smith, this two-act production is a coming of age parable that addresses a lot of issues young adults deal with. Fooled into thinking by Sesame Street that they were special as children, the characters discover that in the real world they are like everyone else.
Smith uses human actors and puppets that intermingle in a Sesame Street fashion. Three of the puppet characters are express parodies of the Muppets. Roommates Rod and Nicky are a rip from Bert and Ernie, and the Trekkie Monster (an Internet porn surfer) is reminiscent of Cookie Monster.
These guys face real world problems adopting profanity in both the dialogue and music; full nudity in puppet sex, racism, pornography, homosexuality and intolerance.
“It’s politically incorrect. They use foul language and mature content,” says Haines. “There are sensitive issues that are not treated sensitively. Overall it’s biting, but it’s also hilarious. It’s terribly funny, very clever and witty.”
Avenue Q also uses an odd plot device. Gary Coleman, a real life celebrity, is part of the fabric of this fictional situation within a story.
“You really have to suspend your disbelief in this show.”
This is an 18 plus show. La Cite is at 8627- 91 St. Tickets are $28.50 Call 780-420-1757 or online at www.tixonthesquare.ca.
The Citadel Theatre’s play development program is putting out six new plays by local playwrights for a first reading June 15 to 17. The playwrights aren’t just first-time wannabes. The six include heavy-hitters such as Trevor Schmidt and Jason Chinn.
The readings are free and open to the public. Feedback is encouraged. Check the website at www.citadeltheatre.com for times.
