avenue q

[NoDayButToday2]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:10pm

okay, today i went out and bought an 'avenue q obc recording. ive never seen the show before, i just have this thing for buying recordings of musicals i havent seen or heard much about... usually my way of music shopping gets me hooked on a new musical, and sorry all you ave q fans, but its just not my style... i mean i think my IQ dropped some... what exactly do you see in this musical? i got to the middle of 'the internet is for porn' and i couldnt stand listening to it any longer... it made me *cringe*. is this show seriously on broadway??? the internet is for porn? im not wearing underwear today? i dont understand how listening to this can be even slightly ammusing... like please dont start world war 3 over this but what does everyone else think of it? and to the Avenue q fans: sorry i really tried to give it a chance but i really cant stand it and am returning it later because i am dirt poor and and the 14$ I spent is a small fortune to me

[thibodeaux]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:12pm

It's so completely original and the world it creates is so enthralling. To me, anyway. The songs are so incredibly un-PC that it's beautiful! And also the idea that over half of the cast is actually puppets...It's great.

I just fell in love with it. Primarily after I saw them perform on The Tonys. I bought the soundtrack after that.

Give it a little bit, you may warm up to it.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:15pm

I love my Q.

It's intelligent in its own way, and I think that it's pretty witty. You also would have to see the show and the puppets to have the whole experience. And some of the masterpieces from the show are "There's a Fine, Fine Line", "The More You Ruv Someone", and well...IMO, the whole score.

What's wonderful about the musical is that it strikes a chord with everyone in the audience. Everyone finds a way to identify with it, it talks to almost everyone in it's audience and assures us that 'everything in life is only for now', and that's what we need to know when we're experiencing bad times. Updated On: 8/11/04 at 06:15 PM

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:16pm

cast recording...not soundtrack

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:16pm

The show is also very visual. After all, there are puppets involved. Put the songs into context. As if you were watching them being sung by Sesame Street characters.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:17pm

You obviously, didn't really try to give it a chance if you didn't listen to it all the way through. Go back to your CD player and listen to "Fantasies Come True", "Fine, Fine Line" and "For Now". Of course, if you're a republican, give up now... you're never gonna like it...

[bythesword84]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:20pm

The first thing I tell people when they tell me they're going to Avenue Q is, if you can possibly avoid it don't listen to the recording before you go.

There's a reason they don't list the songs in the Playbill.

Q is a show that is really best appreciated when you see it. To just listen to the recording you can't get the full feel for the show.

To each his or her own of course, but in all honesty I find it hard to judge a show on its recording when I haven't seen it performed.

I'd give my full opinion on the show but we don't have THAT much time. Let's just say I think it decerves every award it gets.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:20pm

CatsNYRevival- Honey, you couldn't be more wrong.

There are some undertones that do criticize the political correctness of the Democratic party.

And I am a Republican, and Avenue Q is one of my favorites. Updated On: 8/11/04 at 06:20 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:25pm

LadyGuenevere, honey, it was a joke. get over yourself...

[NoDayButToday2]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:25pm

---The show is also very visual. After all, there are puppets involved. Put the songs into context. As if you were watching them being sung by Sesame Street characters. ----

I cant! thats the problem... puppets with cute little voices dont sing about how their lives suck and how the internet is for porn how they arent wearing any underwear today and how everyone's a racist! it just doesnt work for me... hmmmm i was just thinking about how different the world would be if we all grew up watching avenue q instead of sesame street...

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:28pm

"LadyGuenevere, honey, it was a joke."

Unfortunately, some people on the board would agree with you.
I can't tell what's a joke with some of the Dems here anymore.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:33pm

Actually, I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today is not sung by a puppet.

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:35pm

"I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today" is under a minute anyway. He's just showing how...inept he is at performing.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:35pm

For me, I love the show because it's about issues I can relate to: unrequitted love, finding your purpose, pursueing your dreams, how childhood barely prepares you for "the real world"...etc.
I'm also completely in love with the puppets
I'm glad you gave it a shot and didn't just bluntly say "The show sux how the [explicitive] to you freaks like it?!" But as I tell most of my friends who listen to the Q album, the first six songs introduce "the shock factor" and "Fantasies Come True" introduces the show's heart.
Although I can certainly understand your circumstances about not being able to see all the visual effects of the show, I'd highly suggest going over to the Q website and watch the video clips they have.
And try listening to the whole CD. You may surprise yourself

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:35pm

---The show is also very visual. After all, there are puppets involved. Put the songs into context. As if you were watching them being sung by Sesame Street characters. ----

I cant! thats the problem... puppets with cute little voices dont sing about how their lives suck and how the internet is for porn how they arent wearing any underwear today and how everyone's a racist! it just doesnt work for me... hmmmm i was just thinking about how different the world would be if we all grew up watching avenue q instead of sesame street...


But that's why you really can't judge it until you've seen it. It's not a case of Avenue Q replacing Seasame Street. But if Sesame Street was able to grow up and deal with all the issues that people have to deal with now. Like paying bills, finding significant others, dealing with their sexuality, etc.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:38pm

I think the puppets make the songs and the themes kind of less of whatever they are. Know what I mean? It's kind of like when a kid kills a frog, you're like "aww...how sweet"

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:38pm

I think of that as cruelty to animals but maybe I'm just special

[bythesword84]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:39pm

Please, stop comparing it to Sesame Street for your own good. If you compare it there's no point. They're two different entities.

[shlamdiddly]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:41pm

>>"Fantasies Come True", "Fine, Fine Line"

my two favorite songs.
you may think the idea of pupets is stupid, but it's really smart. You would never get away with this musical if it weren't for the puppets. ou really end up feeling for them.

Updated On: 8/11/04 at 06:41 PM

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:46pm

I really like the cast recording. However, i have not seen the show yet. The only things i have seen was the cast performingin Bryant Park (very excited that the OBC was there) and the Tony's. I do believe it is a visual show, for after watching it, I listened to the songs I heard more and more. I think the songs are cute, witty, and very well done.

I do, however, think that a different show should have won for Best Score.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:47pm

the OBCR is amazing, you may think it's immature or meaningless but I suggest this:

Go back and listen to:
"There's a Fine, Fine Line"
"I Wish I Could Go Back to College" (amazing harmonies)
"The More You Ruv Someone"
"Fantasies Come True"
"Purpose"

Those are the true gems (music wise) of the score IMO, the whole score as a whole is so catchy with a perfect balance of intense humor and touching lessons.

EDIT: Agree with you GirlInTheFrock about the another score winning.... Updated On: 8/11/04 at 06:47 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 6:58pm

I like AVENUE Q, not love it, but like it. I think it tries TOO HARD to be crude and it ruins someting for me. I mean, I think majority of the songs are hillarious and some are even sweet, but it is not THE GREATEST or anything. I don't know.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 7:36pm

And that's just fine spidey! Updated On: 8/11/04 at 07:36 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 7:40pm

Comparisons to Sesame Street are inevitable when practically all the puppeteers came from there and the puppets clearly resemble certain muppets. Avenue Q is what Sesame Street would be if it grew up with a potty mouth. The structure is the same- puppets and humans interact to teach life lessons through simple songs and examples. But instead of life lessons like "sharing is caring" you get stuff like "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist." Though I guess you could argue "The Money Song" is about sharing. :)

I don't think Avenue Q is the musical to end all musicals- in fact, after seeing Caroline, or Change I don't even think it's the best of this season anymore. But I do think it's very good at achieving what it intends. Despite all the foul language and goings-on, the heart of the show is as sweet and earnest as that of its semi-source. The songs are catchy, the performers are talented and energetic, and the whole thing is just well put-together. What more can you ask for?

[More Cowbell]

Posted: 8/11/04 at 7:43pm

I absolutely love the cast recording for Avenue Q. I seriously crack up everytime I hear "You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want (When You're Making Love)". Ann Harada's "Brian, this not a race!" gets me everytime. Plus, the tunes are extremely catchy. I couldn't stop singing "Schadenfreude" for a week after I heard it.

Of course, it's not for everyone. I'd say if you're more into the classic Broadway showtunes, you won't enjoy this too much because it's a lot more pop-ish. And not everyone appreciates crude humor. *shrug*