AVENUE Q: 10/26/08

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 9:46pm

More than five years into its run, AVENUE Q has slipped somewhat into "Phone-In" Syndrome.

Somewhat. Though none of the current performances are bad, almost every one is somewhat unfinished.

Howie Michael Smith (as Princeton and Rod) comes closest to a fleshed-out performance: his Rod is fabulous in all the right ways. But his Princeton, though fun to be with, veers a little too often into "cute" territory.

Christy Carlson Romano (who got a nice "yelp" from the female audience, and myself) is a pretty charming Kate Monster, and a great Lucy T. Slut. But if she never seems uncomfortable on stage, her performance somehow feels awkward: she seems, with her collapsibly spindly figure and raised-eyebrow facial expressions, like a Kindergarten teacher who's trying just a little too hard to win her students over. And Romano fails almost completely to handle the dramatic situations (with a terrible 'There's a Fine, Fine Line' to end Act I). Her singing, though, is very good.

The rest of the ensemble suffers generally from the same problems. Christian Anderson seems to be imitating Rick Lyons (the original Nicky and Trekkie) most of the time, and, as a result, hasn't made the part his own. Carla Renata (as Gary Coleman) has a squeakier voice than Natalie Venecia Belcon, and is sometimes shrill, but her performance grows on you by the end. Ann Sanders (as Christmas Eve) can't quite decide between a high- or low-pitched voice (which gets very irritating), but she is also a warm presence. Nicholas Kohn (as Brian) so phones his performance in that he almost seems like the empty hole in the middle of the group.

In the end, the performances aren't bad, but they're very undistinguished.

And guess what? The show is still fantastic.

I don't need to say much. The songs are still great; they're re-orchestrated some parts (like the beginning of 'Purpose' and 'There Is Life Outside Your Apartment'), and cut down verses for others ('Schadenfroude', 'The Money Song'). The book is still hilarious ("If you re-arrange the letters of 'unemployed,' it spells 'opportunity!'"). The staging is clever, the sex is incredibly hilarious (and awkward: Romano, you have raped my childhood), the puppets are really really cute... even though I enjoyed WICKED, AVENUE Q deserved to win, and still does.

So if you want to see a fun, hilarious, and even touching show, AVENUE Q is a really strong piece of material, and an awkward cast can't destroy that.

[steven22]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 9:52pm

thanks for the review

[sgv123]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 10:23pm

I saw the show today as well, and I really liked Christy in both roles ( Lucy more than Kate.) This was also my first time seeing the show, and i really enjoyed it.
Updated On: 10/26/08 at 10:23 PM

[Parks]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 10:26pm

Sad to hear the cast wasn't great, but that the show still was wonderful! :) I need to see this show again soon!

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 10/26/08 at 10:49pm

I definitely need to get back to Avenue Q. I am not a fan of Howie Michael Smith in the role of Princeton/Rod, but I am glad to hear Christy Carlson Romano at least sounds good, and that the show can hold its own, despite the cast.

I think I am feeling a trip to the lotto this week for me.

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:07am

I was there today as well, and I agree with most of what the OP said. I personally really enjoy Howie Michael Smith, though now that you mention it, he does verge on 'too cute' as Princeton. Christy Carlson Romano was surprisingly good. I didn't expect her to be bad - she's proven herself before - but she does seem uncomfortable or like she's trying too hard sometimes. Still enjoyed her performance though.

I hadn't seen the show in just over 2 years, and I won the lotto. It didn't disappoint - the show is just as charming and funny as it was when it opened, which really makes me happy. =)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:28am

Is the lotto pretty tough? I want to see this show, I've seen it before, but not on Broadway.

[fetzles1490]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 2:09am

Lotto today was tough. It was pretty crowded, especially considering they only have 12 tickets available. I don't know if it's like that on a regular basis - I'm sure if you went on a weeknight instead of a Sunday matinee it wouldn't be nearly as difficult.

[lesmis]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 1:20pm

I also saw Christy Romano. She was likeable but didn't stand out.

[Hank]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 5:55pm

Thanks for the review!
I'm just about to buy gift tickets for my nephew and his girlfriend. They're both 20 something recent college grads, and just got their first apartment.
I'm sure they'll enjoy it!

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/29/08 at 4:09pm

After reading the above review, is it worth it to see the show this weekend or just stay with having seen the tour 2 weeks ago?

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 10/29/08 at 5:14pm

It is worth it to see the show.

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:59pm

I wish they would have two parts. Someone to play Lucy and someone else to play Kate. The roles are so different and it would be better if there were two parts.


Updated On: 10/29/08 at 10:59 PM

[lesmis]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 1:30am

I think Carey Anderson is great as both Lucy and Kate Monster

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 1:44pm

I agree, saw her in the tour. She was excellent. She made them two entirely different characters.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 2:04pm

They should absolutely not have divided the roles up to different actresses. It would take away from the charm of the piece and de-emphasize how they're foils. The parts are no different than Princeton and Rod, or Nicky and Trekky, or Miss Thistletwat and Bad Idea Bear 2.

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 12:11am

Will be seeing the show in NYC next week. Hope Christy Carlson Romano will be good, but I can't think she would be as good as Carey Anderson.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 8:38am

Glad to hear Christy's doing well.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 10/31/08 at 8:38am

Glad to hear Christy's doing well.

[Peteydamnquick]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:16am

BustopherPhantom, I must disagree with most of your "review." I've seen the show 12 times (yes I am a fan, but I can also be very impartial). I found almost everyone in the cast to be very natural and simple, which is so nice to see instead of a lot of the cheeseball trite that's out there right now, i.e. Grease.

First, Howie Michael Smith is so far the best person to play the lead since John Tartaglia. He is very good at creating two different characters in Rod and Princeton.

I saw Christy Carlson Romano and did not care much for her performace. She seemed almost bird like in her walking and her singing was less than desirable. Carey Anderson who came back from the tour is very good. She is an incredible singer and her earnestness as Kate is sweet and compassionate.

I will agree with you on Christian Anderson. I think it is an attempt at trying to imitate Rick Lyon. He seems stale every time I see him perform. He has been in the production for a while so maybe he is ready to move on. But I don't think he takes away from the production. (Yes I agree, the writing is so good).

Loved Ann Sanders as Christmas Eve (although no one does it like Ann Harada vocally or acting wise), and thought Carla Renata as Gary is funny, but she doesn't hold a candle to Haneefah Wood who previously played the role. And I think Nicholas Kohn (who may be a little too skinny) is the best Brian I have ever seen. He is quirky and gets more laughs than one would think with a role that many people would consider a throw away. Maybe you saw him on an off night. Jennifer Barnhart was brilliant as always. She is the only one left from the original cast, and it's nice to see one of them still up there.

I haven't enjoyed every cast I have seen, but this one overall is tight and delivers the material with natural ease. There's my 2 cents for what it's worth. Go see the show, it's still one of the best ones out there.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:34am

I agree with you about Romano. Maybe I didn't get it across completely in my review, but she, in essence, bugged the hell out of me. She did seem like a bird: all sharp corners and no dramatic heft.

But I still think her Lucy was great, and her singing was much better than has been said on this board.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:56am

Christy Carlson Romano got down on her knees, stared at me, and sang "I can tell just by looking that you are especially hard for me."

She simultaneously made my night and ruined my childhood Even Stevens-watching memories.