My review of Avenue Q!

I saw Avenue Q at Minneapolis’ Mixed Blood Theater Thursday evening and really enjoyed it.  Avenue Q is a musical that features “puppets and human actors follows the lives of a bunch of dreamers, slackers, idealists and Gary Coleman living in a low rent apartment complex on Avenue Q.”  All I really knew when I bought tickets to this musical is that it beat out Wicked for the Best Musical Tony Award in 2004.  I saw Wicked and loved it so I figured this one has to at least be entertaining!

I did really enjoy Avenue Q but I am glad I only paid about $15 per ticket.  This musical is fun and quirky but it just doesn’t have the grandeour of many other popular musicals like Les Miz, Miss Saigon, Lion King, Wicked…  Avenue Q is funny and inspired but the music just isn’t that good.  None of the song melodies were remotely memorable.  The music of Avenue Q is merely written to deliver the story and I can’t imagine myself listening to this music outside of the theater.  It’s not that the music is bad, it’s just not very interesting but for the lyrics.

The Mixed Blood cast for Avenue Q was really great as I thought the acting and singing was subperb. I also liked how the Mixed Blood theater is small an intimate.  There are no bad seats in the house and you feel really up close to the actors (because you are).  It’s really the perfect theater for a show like this.  Just be aware that seating is by general admission so get there early for your choice of seat.

I’m tempted to state that this musical is not for your grandparents but there were plenty older attendees who seemed to be having quite a good time.  Avenue Q’s soundtrack includes songs such as “The internet is for porn,” “I’m not wearing underwear today,” and “If you were gay” to give you some idea of the content of this show.  As long as you’re not afraid of puppet sex, homosexuals or confronting your inner racist, you will likely enjoy this show.

Bottom Line:  See this show while it’s at a small, local theater, preferably, when discount tickets can be purchased.

DEAL ALERT: Get $5 off tickets to Avenue Q at the Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis for April 12, 17, 19, 26 and May 1 with code FURRY at the Mixed Blood box office.