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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Avenue Q Also see Gil's review of Disney's The Little Mermaid The winner of three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score, Avenue Q is a show full of R-rated humor and adult situations along with heartfelt life lessons that any adult will find relevant. With a wonderful cast and winning creative elements, Arizona Broadway Theatre is presenting a solid production of this hilarious musical. Often described as "Sesame Street" for grownups, Avenue Q includes an assortment of short, witty songs by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and a hilarious but entirely charming book by Jeff Whitty, all of whom won Tony Awards for their contributions. The show uses a combination of human actors and puppets to show the obstacles most young adults face as they search for their purpose in life. The characters include Princeton, who is fresh out of college and discovers that the only apartment he can afford is in the rundown neighborhood of Avenue Q. There he meets an eclectic group of neighbors made up of both humans and puppets, including roommates Rod and Nicky, whose somewhat combative relationship affectionately recalls Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street"; Brian and his Japanese fiancée Christmas Eve; fellow puppet residents Kate Monster and Trekkie Monster; and the building's wisecracking superintendent, who just happens to be former child television star Gary Coleman. As they navigate the challenges of adulthood together, each resident of Avenue Q faces setbacks that reveal just how difficult it can be to find fulfilling careers, lasting relationships, and genuine happiness. Director Nick Dalton has found a gifted cast who create humorous yet believable characters and who, along with his direction, do a great job balancing the comical and serious moments so the humor, which is a little risqué at times, never gets in the way of the show's charming messages. Dalton's choreography is fun and bright, and Adam Berger's music direction ensures every song is delivered with rich notes from the talented cast. Jamie Hohendorf-Parnell and Cody Burgoon's set, the costumes by JJ Hanley, and Tom Holmberg's lighting help to bring the street outside the apartment building and the rooms of its inhabitants vibrantly to life. Matthew Richards Jr. is wonderful as two very different characters: the idealistic Princeton, who finds things in life aren't as easy as he'd hoped they'd be; and the uptight, in the closet, but very gay, Rod. While both characters are puppets, Richards' superb facial expressions and vocal inflections add layers of nuance and pops of humor to both. Richards sometimes plays both characters in group scenes and his deft ability to alternate from one to the other and back again is hilarious to watch. Laurie Box is equally impressive as Kate Monster, who falls for Princeton, and Lucy the Slut, who you pretty much know all you need to know about her from her name. Box does a wonderful job depicting these two very different characters and, like Richards, is expert at quickly morphing from one to the other with ease. As the three human characters in the show, Kieara Kurtz-Williams, Mai Hartwich, and Nicholas Hambruch nicely balance the comedic charm of the puppets. Kurtz-Williams is superb as the sassy, down on his luck Gary Coleman, while Hartwich and Hambruch are very fun as the often bickering and newly engaged couple Brian and Christmas Eve. Joseph Paul Cavazos excels as Rod's sweet-natured roommate Nicky and the porn addicted Trekkie Monster, and Laurie Trygg provides excellent support, specifically in helping Cavazos bring the large-sized Trekkie Monster puppet to life. Cavazos also serves as the puppetry coach and his skills are evident with how well the entire cast manipulate the puppets with polished movement that makes them all seem like living, breathing individuals. While no credit is listed in the program, the puppets in this production appear to be modeled on the original Broadway puppets designed by Rick Lyon, who also played Trekkie Monster in the original production. While a musical that is an adult spoof of "Sesame Street" may not be for everyone, especially since there are many R-rated moments in the show, Avenue Q also has a big heart and characters and situations that will likely resonate. With a gifted cast and solid direction, Arizona Broadway's production of this Tony Winning show is a crowd pleaser. Avenue Q runs through July 19, 2026, at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 West Paradise Lane, Peoria AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.azbroadway.org or call 623-776-8400. Director/Choreographer: Nick Dalton Cast: (in order of appearance): |
