Avenue Q

In 2003, Avenue Q took Broadway by storm. Part-parody, part mirror to the world as it was, the show was so popular at the time that it beat out the smash-hit Wicked for the Tony Award for Best Musical - but can you guess which one is still running on Broadway? 

The show is a very naughty and extremely politically incorrect musical that takes Sesame Street and gives a bunch of off-brand Muppets more to worry about in life than pet rocks or what the letter of the day is.

The Attic Theatrical, under the leadership of Amanda Daniel, have selected this show to open their 2022 season, a bold choice for the company that seems to have paid off. 

It's a tight production delivered by a superb cast of performers from across the region and beyond. Led by Issac Ledingham as the bright (but plastic) eyed Princeton, his energy is infectious and carried the show beautifully, matched well against Danielle Hochkins' delightful Kate Monster, a puppet with a dream. Hochkins brings Act 1 to a perfect close with "There's A Fine Fine Line", a beautiful song by Lopez - the only glimmer the score holds that Lopez would go on to write the music for Frozen!

The show has a "Bert and Ernie", named Rod and Nicky, played by Morgan Fardy and Ryan Knowles. Each gives a passionate and professional performance. A standout is Chris Brame as Trekkie Monster, an "internet cookie" loving monster who leaves the audience in stitches and needing a cold shower. 

The lead puppet cast is supported ably by the lead human cast - Rob Logan as Brian, Tina Leaitua as Gary Coleman, and Rebecca Corke as Christmas Eve.

Katelin Davill is a knockout as Lucy T Slut, and Jess Nader and Liz Thomas bring spades of unnerving cuteness as The Bad Idea Bears. 

Vocally and musically the production is faultless, under the musical direction of Chris Hochkins, the Lopez and Marx score feels fresh, even if the lyrics are showing their age.

This show certainly isn't for kids and has a few questionable stereotypical tropes that could do with some updating. But it's an enjoyable night in the theatre to escape the world we find ourselves in. 

Joshua Maxwell

Photos by Shayne Leslie