Comments on AVENUE Q - 8/31

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 1:55am

First, let me just say WOW. I've been meaning to see this production forever, and I was so glad that I got the chance to before it closes in two weekends.

My friend and I missed our original train, so we weren't able to do lotto. We were hesitant at first with only a %20 discount, but it was worth all $103. We were row G, seats 110 and 112.

The house was mostly full (at least in the orchestra - I couldn't see up top). The entire cast is exceptionally talented. I am curious to see where they will all end up next.

If I had one complaint, it would be that I would have liked to see the opening performed live on stage, instead of offstage with the opening video. I liked most of the videos, but not that one. I apparently missed the humor in it. It may have been because I was accustomed to the videos yet.

Also, at the end of act one, a middle-aged guy stood up and loudly left the theater, saying it was an emergency that could not wait. Thankfully, the performance of "There's a Fine, Fine Line" continued uninterrupted. But it really ruined the moment. Does anyone know what his "emergency" was? Because if it was something that could have waited the five minutes until intermission (which I'm sure it could have), then that is ridiculous.

However, this being said, I wish I could see this show again and again and again. You can't help but leave with a smile on your face. Even on closing night, when the lights fade out for the last time, the audience will leave thoroughly touched, entertained, and upbeat, despite knowing that neither themselves nor others will have the opportunity to share in this cast/show again (for a while at least).

Updated On: 9/1/09 at 01:55 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:06am

They use a video in the opening? Can you elaborate more because I am a little confused.

Updated On: 9/1/09 at 02:06 AM

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:08am

Please add spaces and separate as paragraphs, your post is hard to read.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:15am

If I had one complaint, it would be that I would have liked to see the opening performed live on stage, instead of offstage with the awful advertisement video.

I've seen Avenue Q twice and still have no idea what you're talking about. The use of videos in the show were some of the few things I liked.

Also, what blaxx said. Paragraph breaks are your friend.

Updated On: 9/1/09 at 02:15 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:15am

Millie, videos are used at several points in the show. "The Avenue Q Theme" is sung off stage with the video screens playing a spoof of what would normally be the opening credits of an educational children's program. I don't understand how it could be considered a ploy. I think the videos are used very effectively through out the performance.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:16am

Happy now, blaxx?

OK. Apparently I missed something. It seemed like an advertisement of some sort. I must have missed the humor. My apologies. Updated On: 9/1/09 at 02:16 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:26am

That explains it. I don't understand how that would be an advertising ploy either, but I haven't seen the show, so I can't judge. Thanks.

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:38am

Also, can anyone explain what the ensemble members listed in the Playbill do? Because they never appear onstage. Are they just understudies?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:41am

I believe they collect money in the mezzanine during "The Money Song".

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 2:43am

Yep, that they do. So they're not really standbys.

[exedore]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 4:34am

The ensemble members in Q come out during the Money Song and sing extra harmonies offstage. They're also the first cover understudies for the main roles.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 6:20am

Do any of us know the emergency the man experienced? REALLY?

THUD.

[Parks]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 9:36am

They also control some of the puppets during scenes where the actor who provides the voice might already be on stage or controlling another puppet (i.e. The Internet is For Porn--Rod and Princeton are in 2 different windows).

[misto625]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 10:42am

Yep "The Internet is for Porn" has the Ensemble performing the multiple Trekkie Monsters plus Rod. Also, Matt Schrieber performs the left hand of Mrs. T

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 10:58am

I was there last night too, in the mezzanine (so I saw the ensemble members bearing puppets and collection hats). This was my first time back since seeing it in its first season (Tartaglia was out that night, but it was still among my all-time favorite theatre experiences).

I was wondering what was up with the "emergency" - it definitely took me out of the moment. "There's a Fine, Fine Line" is one of my favorite showtunes, so I hope that man got knocked out by a penny as he left the theatre.

Ann Harada was doing her parts in "Sucks to Be You" and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" with a huge smile. Normally, I'd be irritated. But the show's winding down, and it's a lighthearted show, so I'm fine with the cast (especially Harada) letting us know they're having fun.

"GEORGE BUSH! Was only for now" got among the biggest laughs of the night.

All in all, I was glad I got to bid farewell to the little show that could. YAAAAAAY! I even picked up a couple of overpriced Bad Idea Bears beer glasses.

Weird fact: I'll have seen four shows in a row on 45th Street. (I saw Billy last week, and I have Hot Cops and Hair lined up.)

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:18pm

Bad Idea Bears beer glasses sounds AWESOME! Do you remember how much they were? They're not listed in the merchandise on the website.

[saveusmike]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:22pm

yero my hero the glasses are pretty cool and $20. The theater stopped the sale of the "Q" logo mugs in favor of it.


(a picture for refrence)

Also anyone who saw the show recently is McClure back on full time as princeton or is the role still being shared?

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:34pm

According to my Playbill (no white slips last night!), only McClure was listed for Princeton and Rod.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:34pm

The Q shot glasses I got in London are better.

[rorygilmo52]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 3:05pm

My Playbill from Saturday said that Seth was Princeton/Rod on Mondays.
Updated On: 9/1/09 at 03:05 PM

[saveusmike]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 4:33pm

I just hope so bad the McClure does the final show. I did want to see Seth go on for Princeton I really did but after seeing his over the top boring "Brian" I'll pass. I know Brian is a boring role and I honestly dont care about the charecter,but after his performance I was actually upset Nick was out.

I would however love to go to the final show and see John Tartaglias name in the "At this performance the role of..etc"

I can dream cant I :)

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 4:48pm

Well I guess that changed back to normal for this week then, because Rob was on last night and was phenomenal.

[MelissaF]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 6:01pm

I had the pleasure to see Q soon after it opened, with the original cast. It was such a great laugh...sad to see it go!

[zamedy]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 10:38pm

Thanks for the great review. I'm so glad I finally got to see this show on Broadway back in July.. and with the closing cast. Great to hear they are all giving it their all every night and having a ball doing so.

And I don't think you have to worry saveusmike. Barring death or disaster, McClure *should* and *will* be in on closing night.

[mattonstage]

Posted: 9/1/09 at 10:48pm

I was bartending last night, and a man came down right before intermission to check on his wife, who I came to understand had been in the bathroom the entire first act (I was out of the theater most of first act, so I didn't know any of this till the man came downstairs). She did not look well, and when we asked if we should get someone, she refused, and they left. Hope she's okay.

As for the glasses as opposed to the mugs, a few months ago, they changed merchandise companies, thus the new poster as well. And new t-shirts, magnets, etc. This company also does merch for Hair and West Side Story.