Will we ever see Avenue Q again?- Page 2

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 10:23pm

"It was a response to the post directly preceding it, which was about Avenue Q beating Wicked. Not particularly difficult to follow."

Skimmed past your post, my error. It does make things easier if you would have put that post in quote marks above your comment.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 10:30pm

I would like them to update the show.  We know that people’s sense of humor changes, just look at a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. But just like they revamped shrek and thoroughly modern Millie, I think they could go back in and write new jokes for avenue q that takes place in modern times.  Theres so much to make fun of in the woke/maga times we’re living in

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 10:57pm

Broadway Flash said: "I would like them to update the show. We know that people’s sense of humor changes, just look at a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. But just like they revamped shrek and thoroughly modern Millie, I think they could go back in and write new jokes for avenue q that takes place in modern times. Theres so much to make fun of in the woke/maga times we’re living in"

Um, I...very much doubt the creatives would work together at this present moment. 

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:05pm

nasty_khakis said: "Broadway Flash said: "I would like them to update the show. We know that people’s sense of humor changes, just look at a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. But just like they revamped shrek and thoroughly modern Millie, I think they could go back in and write new jokes for avenue q that takes place in modern times. Theres so much to make fun of in the woke/maga times we’re living in"

Um, I...very much doubt the creatives would work together at this present moment."

Exactly, they can't stand each other.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:12pm

yeah there is a reason these three have never done another show together, and after Head Over Heels, Jeff Whitty has kind of become untouchable and no one wants to deal with him. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:18pm

Broadway Flash said: "I would like them to update the show. We know that people’s sense of humor changes, just look at a funny thing happened on the way to the forum. But just like they revamped shrek and thoroughly modern Millie, I think they could go back in and write new jokes for avenue q that takes place in modern times. Theres so much to make fun of in the woke/maga times we’re living in"

You're just asking for a new show. It's literally been over 20 years. It is a product OF ITS TIME. You kind of have to go back to square one if you want to modernize it and rewrite the entire thing. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:25pm

Okay, well tell that to all those revivals we’ve seen over the years that made some pretty dramatic changes.  

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:40pm

Broadway Flash said: "Okay, well tell that to all those revivals we’ve seen over the years that madesome pretty dramatic changes. "

They make dramatic changes to staging, it's very rare that you see dramatic changes to text outside of what were once flops. 

And as noted above, everybody who made this show hates each other so like...

[Kad]

Posted: 8/13/24 at 11:59pm

Rentaholic2 said: "Kad said: "I think the wording of that line is a little wonky in 2024but I generally agree.

However, a mixtape is something that is absolutely dated. And, of course, the datedness ofGary Coleman as a cultural reference is something the show already had to grapple with. I’m not sure that the easiest solution- doing it as a period piece- would necessarily be sufficient to address some things."

Genuine question: When a musical that takes place in "present day" is revived, what dictates whether it stays in the "present day" of when it premiered (i.e., becomes a "period piece") or takes place in the true present day? I actually think Avenue Q would work best as an early aughts period piece and the humor would probably land better for modern audiences."

It depends on the show.  I guess my general feeling is, "the closer its setting to modern day, the more likely it'll need to be set as a period piece, but if it's older than a century then anything goes, and there will be exceptions." I also think the more reliant a piece is on the culture of its setting,  the harder it is to transpose to present day. But again, there are exceptions and this just my thoughts on it. There's no rule.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 1:34am

I loved loved loved Avenue Q back when I saw it on Broadway around 2006ish. But it definitely has that early 2000s humor that is hard to work with in 2024. It was from the era of "we're an ally so it's OK to make fun of you" type of humor that was seen at the time as progressive at best and harmless at worst.

Perhaps we've overcorrected a tad but that doesn't mean that a product of its time needs to come back. The Office is another example. I'm good with watching episodes from then and understanding it was the era but I wouldn't suggest they try the same humor in a new show now. Avenue Q would have a hard time as a new production with the old script and, as others have mentioned, I don't see that creative team coming together to revise (nor do they need to. Just let it be what it was).

Updated On: 8/14/24 at 01:34 AM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 1:39am

It’ll be interesting to see how the new revival of a funny thing happened on the way to the forum works out.  I’m assuming they’ll write a new book.  James Corden is starring in it, at least that’s what Seth rudetsky said the other day. 

[EwanApollo]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 5:15am

This show had a longer run than it honestly deserved to have. 

SO much of its humour is gratuitous. LOL we used SWEAR words can you EVEN BELIEVE IT?

It's SO dated. Why try to update it when we can support new comedies?

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 7:43am

Was not aware of Lopez and Marx falling out. What happened there?

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 8:10am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Was not aware of Lopez and Marx falling out. What happened there?"

Some drama surrounding Book of Mormon, where Lopez and Marx were supposed to collaborate.

 

Jeff Whitty said he wanted to make rewrites to Avenue Q in the future, which may be worth the trouble if he ever is able to recover his career enough to get anyone to read a draft.

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 11:16am

Matt Rogers said: "Broadway Flash said: "I miss Avenue Q, it was perfect at New World Stages, please bring it back soon producers!!"

Its combined Broadway and off Broadway run took it from 2003 to 2019. That’s not a long enough run for you??"

Funny, Phantom of the Opera fans (and their defenders) get incensed if one asks them a similar question. 

But I will say I think Avenue Q was a zeitgeist kinda thing (helped by a savvy and now prohibited style of Tony campaigning) that probably wouldn't attract large audiences the way it once did. Maybe the pendulum will swing back. I can't imagine at this particular moment in time a song like "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" going over too well. We aren't going through a "stick it to the P.C. police" moment right now. We're going through a "We may be the Von Trapps and J.D. Vance is Her Zeller" kind of moment.

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 11:17am

Kad said: "I saw it shortly before it closed at NWS and "Everybody's a Little Bit Racist" - which I recall killing with audiences in the 00s when I saw it on Broadway and later on tour- landed with an uncomfortable thud. There's a lot of good stuff in the show but there are other bits of "edgy" early aughts humor that just doesn't land anymore."

Ugh, you beat me to it. :)

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 11:35am

Broadway Flash said: "It’ll be interesting to see how the new revival of a funny thing happened on the way to the forum works out. I’m assuming they’ll write a new book."

Why do you post crap like this? It's what makes your comments so @#*! insufferable. 

[Kad]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 11:53am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Was not aware of Lopez and Marx falling out. What happened there?"

There's not a lot of public info, but Marx was originally working with Lopez on Book of Mormon and ended up leaving the project with a buyout and he's said that even on Avenue Q, their working partnership was not great.  

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 12:14pm

Yeah but how many creatives end up making amends?  Sondheim and Prince,  Tim Rice and ALW, Arthur Lawrence and everybody.  Harvey Fierstein said when you write a musical with something, it’s like having a baby, you’re stuck for life. 

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 12:26pm

Yes, please! And imagine the contemporary political humor treasure trove. I'm thinking of the Dubya reference back in the day in "For Now."

[joevitus]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 2:29pm

Broadway Flash said: "Yeah but how many creatives end up making amends? Sondheim and Prince, Tim Rice and ALW, Arthur Lawrence and everybody. Harvey Fierstein said when you write a musical with something, it’s like having a baby, you’re stuck for life."

Sondheim and Prince never had a falling out, Rice and Lloyd Webber never worked together again after Evita, and Lawrence alienated everyone. 

I really should just block you...

[SeanD2]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 3:55pm

joevitus said: "Sondheim and Prince never had a falling out, Rice and Lloyd Webber never worked together again after Evita, and Lawrence alienated everyone.

I really should just block you..."

You're right about Sondheim & Prince, but Rice & Lloyd Webber did work together at least twice since Evita. On the original song for the Evita film and more substantially on the new songs for The Wizard of Oz. Additionally there are well placed rumors that they've been collaborating on a new show the past couple years.

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 4:10pm

Some shows are 100% worth revisiting years and decades after they premiere.  Some shows are products of their time -- cast albums and regional productions serving as lovely little time capsules -- and should be left in their respective times.

I love Avenue Q but the show falls into the latter category and nothing you spout will make your fantasies come true, Flash.

There are many shows I adore and have fond memories of, but are merely for the time period in which they are created.  Another great example is Hairspray.  After the live production on NBC back in 2016, it's a show that I now feel has lived its life to the fullest but has nothing else to offer the world except memories and a couple of well-learned lessons.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 4:56pm

I ignored all of the obnoxious posts where people were getting into nonsense fights with each other over a dang theater message board for goodness's sake. Some of you really need to get some perspective in your life. 

ANYWAY, I adore Avenue Q; I saw the original production at the Golden 12 times over the years. When the stagehand strike ended suddenly in 2007, I celebrated by going to see Avenue Q that night. 

It's a show that spoke to a specific generation, I think. Many generations of children have grown up on Sesame Street but for kids of the 70's/80s, Sesame Street and perhaps Mr. Rogers were it for us and they had an outsize effect on our attitudes growing up, especially when it came to all of us being special, having a purpose, etc. When we got older and realized that the world doesn't care if we live or die or are successful or not, that's a tought thing to accept after hearing all that positivity in childhood. Not only that, but the city was still recovering from 9/11, and one of the things that went away was irony, especially in comedy. Avenue Q brought that back and then some. Sesame Street for adults? Puppity nudity? It was just what we needed.

Sure lots of stuff is dated and a lot of stuff even became dated during the original run like making someone a mixtape, having to go to the computer lab to use a computer, the total lack of social media, Gary Coleman (but he was the embodiment for what we were all feeling about adulthood at the time) and even the plasma TV screens on the sides of the stage--remember how the Avenue Q logo was burned into them even when the tvs were off?  Ha! 

 I shudder to think that there are theater fans who can't see the satire in songs like "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist".  I thank goodness you all weren't around during the original runs of some of our classic musicals because your pitchforks are out in full force and it's not a good look. 

All that said, if Avenue Q were to come back tomorrow, most people in their 20s and 30s won't get most of the humor I would imagine and everybody else will wonder about the dated references. Avenue Q borrowed heavily from Sesame Street and Jim Henson's Muppets, so a new revival would have to have something fresh to connect us to those properties.

And that final line in "I wish I could go back to college" will always hit me right in the feels---If I were to go back to college, think what a loser I'd be. I'd walk through the quad, and think--oh my god! These kids are so much younger than me!" 

Updated On: 8/14/24 at 04:56 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/14/24 at 5:35pm

Nobody on this thread has expressed any offense at anything in Avenue Q, but rather pointed out that the humor just doesn’t land the same today. And it doesn’t, regardless of the show’s obvious good intent. Nobody is out with pitchforks. 

Updated On: 8/14/24 at 05:35 PM