Avenue Q

*Presented in 2018

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Cast:  Ryan Flynn, Ashleigh Harvey, Daniel Geddes, Grant Towers, Rebecca Hartle, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri, Nieke Lombard, Graeme Wicks and Songezo Khumalo.
Music and Lyrics:  Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx

Book:  Jeff Whitty
Director:  Timothy le Roux

Musical Director:  Dawid Boverhoff

Scenic Design:  Kosie Smit

Puppet Design:  Kosie Smit

Lighting Design:  Oliver Hauser

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In 2004 on Broadway, against all the odds, a little show called AVENUE Q snatched 3 Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical from the monster hit, WICKED. 

 

This year, VR Theatrical and Kosie Smit are proud to present that triple Tony Winner to Johannesburg audiences.

 

The Broadway production was described as 'equal parts puppetry, comedy and catchy tunes'.  AVENUE Q is a laugh-out-loud comedy musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.  He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it is clear that this is not your ordinary neighbourhood.  Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

 

TV Programmes like Sesame Street in America and Takalani Sesame here in South Africa teach values and life-skills to young children through the use of puppetry and songs.  Avenue Q applies the same principle by teaching real-life lessons and broaching hard-to-discuss adult topics such as racism, pornography and a whole lot more in an entertaining and colourful manner!

 

Le Roux said:  "The all South African cast were put through their paces at auditions late last year.  In musical theatre jargon the term 'triple threat' is often used to describe a person who is good at acting, singing and dancing.  What makes this piece of theatre unique is that it includes all that - plus puppetry skills, which requires intensive training for our actors."

 

Actors operate the puppets in full view, using both their hands while singing, acting and dancing.

 

AVENUE Q contains scenes which may be unsuitable for children under 16.  Children under 5 will not be admitted!

 

Is it appropriate for kids?

 

Er, well, this is where it gets a bit fuzzy. If your teenager is mature enough to see a musical about issues such as sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn, then they'll probably love AVENUE Q too!  Only you can judge.  It's hard to say what exact age is right to see AVENUE Q - parents should use their discretion based on the maturity level of their children.  But we promise you this - if you do bring your teenagers to AVENUE Q - they'll think you're really cool!

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