I can’t believe I never saw Avenue Q until last week. It’s celebrating its 11th anniversary! How can that be? I’m such a huge fan of one of its composers, Robert Lopez, that I have been clamoring to see it.
It was on July 31, 2003 that Avenue Q opened on Broadway, going on to win 3 Tony Awards – for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score – and ran over 6 years at the John Golden Theatre. In October of 2009, it moved to its current home at New World Stages. It’s played over 4,500 performances in New York, in addition to countless performances across the country and around the world.
Avenue Q is about a group of 20-somethings living in New York City — it features people and puppets alike — who move to the city with big dreams and small bank accounts. They’re all looking for their purpose in life.
Yes, that was me once. I, too, moved to NYC from Atlanta with a suitcase filled with clothes and big dreams of my own to get a job and make it on my own. I remember those days well (after all, they were the best of my life) and enjoyed watching similar experiences being played out on stage.
In this case, I was played by Princeton, a recent college grad who can only afford to live on Avenue Q (I shared a tight space on the Upper West Side). His neighbors are eclectic as mine were back then: there’s Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fianceé Christmas Eve; Nicky the slacker and his roommate Rod — a Republican investment banker with a secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate.
Oh, and the apartment building’s superintendent is called “Gary Coleman” (and the actress playing him has an uncanny resemblance to the real life actor). There are a lot of other American pop cultural references alluded to throughout the show that appealed to the culture vulture part of me.
The play was ahead of its time 11 years ago, addressing issues such as coming out, racism and interracial romance. It’s just as relevant now as it was then. Besides, aren’t we all looking for the meaning of life?
Avenue Q performs Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at New World Stages at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased through at Tele Charge 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com. A limited number of rush tickets for $26.50 are available at the box office for each performance.
Avenue Q Ticket Giveaway
I’m giving away a pair of tickets to Avenue Q at New World Stages!
To win, just comment below and let me know if this will be your first time seeing the show and/or how many times you’ve seen it. Also, you must follow the Culture Mom Facebook page (no need to tell me, I can check).
Winner will be selected randomly. Each winner will receive two tickets, which will be held at the box office day of show in your name. This giveaway will end on Tuesday, August 19th at 12pm EST. Winner will be posted here, on the Culture Mom Facebook page and via email and will have 24 hours to accept their prize.
Disclosure: I was not compensated to write this post but received complimentary tickets to facilitate the review. Giveaway is courtesy of Avenue Q.
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The winner is Kerry Bruno! Thanks to everyone for entering.
I would love to see Avenue Q! Thought the use of puppets wasn’t my thing – but hearing such wonderful things recently about Avenue Q – I want to go!
I love this show. I have seen it once before and would love to see it again. Sooooo funny!
I’ve seen it twice and I know if I see it again I will laugh just as hard. Sometimes it is good to laugh at yourself.
I haven’t seen Avenue Q but have seen many other Broadway show. I need to check it out though!
I would love to see with great show as i have heard it is awesome.
I have not seen it yet, but I would love to and introduce my hubby to more of Broadway! !
I have never seen Avenue Q. I have wanted to see it but just haven’t. This would be the perfect reason to go and enjoy it!
Love this show! Saw it once on broadway for my 15th birthday (nearly 8 years ago!) would love to see it again
How wonderful! Gosh, it’s such a hysterical show. I saw it for my Sweet 16 with my parents, and a few years later with my boyfriend. I’d love to take my sister to see it!
Great review!
Best,
Danielle
I grew up between Avenues O and N in Brooklyn (non-Brooklynites think I made this up) and have always been drawn to this show’s curious title. Our limited extra cash is claimed by my kids’ stuff, so, no, I have never seen Avenue Q. But I would love to!
I can’t believe that I have never seen Avenue Q on Broadway or otherwise. We have the soundtrack and love all of the songs.
I am embarrassed to say that I have never seen Avenue Q. I feel like I should turn in my Broadway Lover Card or my Gay Card or my Politically Incorrect Card. I would very much like to keep all of them, however. Good luck to everyone…but especially to me. Sorry not sorry.
I have never seen avenue Q, but I want to see it.
I follow you
I saw the show once about five years ago when I was pursuing a BA in English so the subject really hit home. This was in PA. Now that my wife and I moved to NYC, I would love to take her to see it for her first time.
I have never seen avenue q. Would love to see it.
I follow you
I’ve seen the show twice, and laughed uproariously both times!
Hi I’m Anthony and I am a senior in high school. I saw Avenue Q in February for the first time and loved it. I constantly listen to the cast recording and make references to it all the time (even if I’m the only one who gets it). I really am obsessed with the show and in fact, I am going to be auditioning for the show at an amateur theater close by. Theater is honestly my life (as cliche as that sounds) and I would love to be able to experience this amazing show again. Thank you so much for the opportunity to go again, and good luck to everyone else. You certainly will enjoy it!
Sounds so original! Wanted to see it back then but missed the chance. Fingers crossed this go ’round!
I saw the show 3 times on Broadway, and was there when they announced it was going to be returning Off Broadway, but I have never seen it since it moved to New World Stages, and would love to! #FullPuppetNudity #VerRODica
With all of my theater-going ways, I can’t believe I haven’t seen Avenue Q. And I had no idea what the plot even was, until I just read your blog post.
Thanks for the chance for me to win and finally get to see it!
I have seen Avenue Q many times (I’ve lost track 🙂 ) both on Broadway and off, but it never fails to amuse and move me!! And I actually have a few friends who have never seen it that I would love to take with me…