AVE Q - What do you think about?- Page 2

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 3:56pm

"So, BOOYAH!!!!!!" <-----And this was added to Craig's post but went missing.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 3:56pm

Actually, when you think about it, Gary Coleman's two big songs have nothing to do with him being Gary Coleman. "Schadenfreude" and "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want" are mostly gags based on him being a bit of a crude bastard.

And I've already made my schpiel about Christmas Eve, but I'll make it again. The show is aware of the stereotypes it's using, and mocks them from the start.

"Tried to work in Korean deli/ But I am Japanese."

I always thought that was a poke at the "all Asians look alike" stereotype. And of course, her part in "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" should be self-explanatory.

Most of my friends in high school were Asian, and the person with whom I first saw Avenue Q was Korean, the child of heavily-accented immigrants. (Heck, my parents are heavily-accented immigrants. Just not from the Far East.) She loved Christmas Eve, so take that as you will.

Are people offended that Rod's favorite book is Broadway Musicals of the 1940s? Updated On: 12/7/04 at 03:56 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 3:58pm

"I am sure seeing Avenue Q is a big part of it (which I haven't done)"

Well, that really explains it. Seeing Avenue Q and just listening to the CD are VERY different. I liked the CD and found it fun and clever, but when you see the show, you realize it is simply flawless. And I don't mean "flawless" like in a drag-queen-snap kind of way. I mean literally without flaws. There is not one weak moment in the show. It is equally hilarious, touching, and unique. Once I saw the show, it was clear why it won Best Musical.

But Urinetown was even better. What were those judges smoking that year?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:00pm

Herro I think stereotype very funny.

[Loge]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:03pm

Well, hopefully, they will put it on DVD at some point! I conceed that seeing it may very well be the bigger part of it. I really do like some of the songs, well, a lot of the songs. I'm just not crazy about Gary, and the song, "The Internet is For Porn" - it really doesn't seem to say anything. Other than that, I like the music.

On a side note, an Asian friend of mine finds Christmas Eve offensive. He finds every Asian stereotype offensive.

I may be coming to NYC in the Spring - maybe I'll have to put this show on my list.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:15pm

In a dire attempt to get my teenaged little brother get some interest Broadway (God it was two years ago when I was in high school, I feel so old) I played my Avenue Q CD and made him listen to it in the car. Being a big fan of shows like Chappelle and South Park, I thought Avenue Q would be right up his alley.

Unfortunetly, he thought the whole thing was incredibly unfunny and it was trying too hard.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:16pm

People who find stereotypes "offensive" and can't laugh at them need to loosen up. Does your Asian friend who doesn't like when people exaggerate the truth like gay or A-A stereotypes? I hate people like that. It's a joke and nothing more - don't be dramatic and offended. I laugh and everything - even some gay stereotypes are hysterical.

I stirr think Chinese stereotype is funny.

I used to work at a huge mall, and all the Asian tourists from NYC would come up there, and some of the things they would say and do are WHY i find Christmas Ever so hysterically true and accurate. That's why I laugh.

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:17pm

I see almost everything. Avenue Q, is my favorite musical of all time.
You need to see it. Updated On: 12/10/04 at 04:17 PM

[pab]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:18pm

"On a side note, an Asian friend of mine finds Christmas Eve offensive. He finds every Asian stereotype offensive. "

But Loge, don't you know that "Everyone's a little bit racist". That's the point.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:18pm

Of ALL TIME? Honey, that's a long time. Are you ill?

[robbiej]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:19pm

The ONLY true reservation I had about the show was that I felt 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist' actually pulled some punches. Though other parts did shock me (the puppet sex scene was something), this one song let me down JUST a teeny-tiny bit. I would have liked to have seen it go for the jugular.

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:21pm

That is the point.
There is one scene that has a flaw. The song: I'm not wearing any underwear today.
I cringe everytime. I have seen the show four times now and it is absurd, but i hate that song.
But aside from that, I love Q.

I also wish they would add: Tear it up and throw it away, a number that was cut. It is one of my favorite songs. I heard it at Jeff and Bobbys event at the Drama Book store.
Updated On: 12/7/04 at 04:21 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:31pm

I'm Chinese-American. I've seen 'Avenue Q' many times, and it's never bothered me that Christmas Eve has an accent. Ann Harada is playing a Japanese character, with great affection and humor. In fact, during the torch song 'The More You Ruv Someone,' Harada even changes her accent slightly to let you know she's putting one on. If anything, Bobby Lopez, who's Filipino-American, by the way, and Jeff Marx, who's Jewish-American, are satirizing racial stereotypes ('Everyone's a Little Bit Racist'), not trying to encourage them.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:38pm

I love I'm Not Wearing Underwear! It's silly and fun, but it also helps set up the open mic scene for Special. When Christmas Eve shouts, "Get a job!" is one of my favorite moments in the show.

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:45pm

Ok. I do love when Christmas Eve says that. I still hate that part.
I do have to say that I went a few weeks ago and the show is stronger then ever.
I was very impressed with Ann Sanders, who is in for Ann Harada while she is on leave. She is wonderful.

[Annie Get Your Rose]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:47pm

How can you judge a show with out seeing it? You can't and the plot and laughs do not revolve around Christmas Eve and Gary Coleman. I do not understand how you do not think this is "unique". This show is very much like a real-life.
"Everyone's a lil bit unsatisified, everyone does round a bit empty inside. Take a breath look around swallow ur pride, for now!" This show is awesome

[Corine2]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 4:50pm

And everyone in the cast are fantastic:
And they are the nicest people.

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:00pm

Dear cast of Avenue Q:

You may find the following website to be useful.

Best regards,
Amy Archer
Follow the link Updated On: 12/7/04 at 05:00 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:35pm

Uncalled for and unprovoked...

[DestinyBeckoned]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 5:51pm

I love avenue Q personally, and I agree with the other person that said, yes, you could have thought of putting gary coleman in a musical, but you didn't, and they did. I think the way they incorporated gary's character was unique, and Christmas Eve's accent wasn't offensive or lame. I haven't seen the show either (and as a side note, all you that have are making me very sad that I live in detroit), but I found the songs on the recording to be very enjoyable and funny and fresh.

As for I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today, I don't like the song itself, but I just love to picture how ridiculous he must look singing it.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/7/04 at 6:14pm

He looks pretty darn ridiculous, I'll tell you that. I was literally gawking in horror during that song.

I loved it. :)

[peterjoshua]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:39pm

I've been lurking around the boards for a while and thought I'd finally start posting so I could say something on this topic that hasn't been said (exactly) yet...

The real Gary Coleman actually DID auction off many of his possessions on Ebay. It really happened. Like the stereotypes presented in the show, it's funny because it's true! Now, humor always has been, and always will be subjective. If you don't find it funny, you don't find it funny. Simple as that. However, there is quite a bit more to Avenue Q than Gary's problems or Christmas Eve's accent. I don't think that should be enough to turn someone off of the whole show. Give it a chance. The book and lyrics are extremely clever and smart, and the music is very well written.

Just my first 2 cents...

[timote316]

Posted: 12/8/04 at 12:55pm

I think the score is good. Not the best ever, but still very good. While yes, many of the songs go for the shock value, they are still very well written, lyrics and music-wise. I think the show is great, and its doing a lot for Broadway.

[jarred03]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 3:27am

Loge, how can you complain about something that you've never seen? The show is racist, sexist, crude, degrating, perverted, and down right funny. It's not for the politically correct. They are poking fun at the stereotypes by using the accent and putting Gary Coleman in the show, by the way a woman plays Gary. Anyway, the way I see it is nobody can really get offend because they diss everybody. ANNA AI plays Christmas Eve now and if she is offended by playing the role then neither should your friend.

Speaking of Anna Ai, she is really nice. I bought my "It Sucks To Be Me" pin from her after the show and she was so sweet and humble and she was amazing in the show.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 9:54am

I don't like puppets, muppets, or shows with no set changes, costumes, or choreography per se. Especially at Broadway prices. That's what I think about it.

Updated On: 12/10/04 at 09:54 AM