Horizon Performing Arts Center presents “Avenue Q” Oct. 19 to 22, with Michelle Smith (left) as Kate Monster and David Culliton as Princeton. For more information, go to horizonperformingarts.org.
Taylor actress Vheena Villareal will take to the stage in “Avenue Q” Oct. 19 to 22 in the Riverside Arts Center’s production at 76 N. Huron Street in Ypsilanti.
“Avenue Q,” a musical comedy featuring puppets and human actors, is a parody of “Sesame Street” but with adult themes, including racism and homosexuality.
The show, which features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and a book by Jeff Whitty, won three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score.
Recent college graduate Princeton comes to Avenue Q in search of an apartment, and meets Kate Monster, an assistant kindergarten teacher; Rod, a neat-freak investment banker; Nicky, Rod’s slacker roommate; Brian, a laid-off caterer who dreams of being a comedian; Christmas Eve, Brian’s Japanese fiancée, who is a therapist without clients; Trekkie Monster, a recluse obsessed with internet porn; and Gary Coleman, the former child actor, who serves as the building superintendent.
In addition to Villareal as Christmas Eve, the cast includes David Culliton of Ypsilanti as Princeton and Rod; Drew Dyer of Ann Arbor as Brian; Michelle Smith of Berkley as Kate Monster and Lucy; Connor Thomas Rhoades of Ypsilanti, who is directing and playing Nicky, Trekkie Monster, a Bad Idea Bear and other minor roles; Melissa Paschall of Jackson as Gary Coleman; and Olivia Sulisz of Ann Arbor as a Bad Idea Bear, Mrs. T and other cameo roles.
Villreal said the show’s score is fun and intense, with seven cast members performing four- and five-part harmonies.
“As funny as some of the lyrics are, the closing number, ‘For Now,’ re-centers where I am as a grad student,” she said. “Life is happening faster than I’d like it to, and I truly appreciate the space I’m taking up.”
Culliton said working with the rented puppets is great.
“The puppets look incredible and are highly expressive, helping us put on great performances with them,” he said. “I think people are going to be blown away by just how much humanity can be seen in these felt and foam-rubber recreations.”
Smith said the cast and crew have developed strong bonds while rehearsing, which is reflected in their performances.
“This production has proved to me that I can juggle puppeteering, playing two characters at once, and going from a song about porn to a gut-wrenching ballad,” she said. “I cherish this opportunity to push myself as a performer and thoroughly enjoy watching my castmates do the same.”
Villareal said those who grew up watching “Sesame Street” will see characters like themselves who grew up and moved to “Avenue Q.”
“Obviously, the life lessons we teach are far beyond the ABCs, but many of us grew up with Sesame Street characters, and “Avenue Q” makes it seem like those characters grew up alongside us,” she said. “They went to college, fell in and out of love, made mistakes and made up for them. They turned 18 and asked ‘What’s next?’ like we did.”
Culliton said “Avenue Q” uses parody brilliantly to elevate itself.
“The show is legitimately funny, finding raucous ways to lampoon a childhood staple like ‘Sesame Street’ to keep the audience in stitches,” he said.
Culliton said the show mimics “Sesame Street” in a way that is also emotionally effective.
“The show uses Sesame Street’s ‘lesson of the day’ style music to tell a thematically cohesive story about young adulthood that is as poignant as it is hysterical,” he said. “It has as much to say to its audience as the TV show by which it’s inspired.”
Horizon Performing Arts Center presents “Avenue Q” Oct. 19 to 22, with puppeteer David Culliton (left) and Thomas Rhoades as Trekkie Monster. For more information, go to horizonperformingarts.org.
Culliton said the show has plenty of Easter eggs for “Sesame Street” fans to discover, which anyone with a passing knowledge of the children’s show will appreciate as well.
Smith said the show purposely plays off well-known Sesame Street characters.
“Trekkie Monster heavily resembles the famous Cookie Monster, while Nicky and Rod resemble the unforgettable duo of Ernie and Bert,” she said. “The show cleverly uses that nostalgia to juxtapose it against the harsh realities of growing up.”
Smith said “Avenue Q” evokes emotions by humanizing the puppets.
“Its humor, mixed with humility, is what sells the show for me,” she said.
Villareal said the stories “Avenue Q” tells are very realistic.
“We’ve all run into the woes that life throws at us and try to shake it off and move on,” she said. “When you remove the puppets from the situation, what you are seeing is people who are living real-life scenarios.”
Culliton said the show will even appeal to people who don’t like musicals or are unfamiliar with “Sesame Street.”
“This show’s bawdy sense of humor alone is enough to keep you engaged all the way through,” he said. “It’s a very human story about growing up and finding your place in the world.”
Smith said the humor is both juvenile and clever.
“If you enjoy a touching story, smart humor and supporting local artists, you’ll not want to miss this show,” she said.
Villareal said she sees aspect of her own life in each of the show’s characters.
“There is something real and honest when singing about the frustrations of loving someone, paying taxes or simply finding your purpose in life,” she said. “With laugh-out-loud jokes and five-part harmonies, ‘Avenue Q’ opens up the opportunity to escape for a little while.”
Culliton said the show is uplifting and affirming.
“I can think of few other examples that so deftly combine R-rated comedy and an earnest sense of heart,” he said. “‘Avenue Q’ asks tough questions about adulthood and even has a slightly melancholy answer at the end of it all, but it still maintains a great sense of optimism about the world.
“‘Avenue Q’ shows that no matter where you come from or what you’re going through, there is a community for you, joy to be had, and maybe even a life purpose for you to pursue.”
Smith predicts that audiences will enjoy the show.
“Viewers will spend the show with a smile on their face and will genuinely laugh out loud,” she said.
The show runs 7 p.m. Oct. 19 to 21, with 1 p.m. matinees Oct. 21 and 22 at the Riverside Art Center, 76 N. Huron Street in Ypsilanti.
Tickets are $22, with a $2 discount for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door and online, at horizonpa.yapsody.com. For more information, go to horizonperformingarts.org.
DETROIT MERCY PRESENTS ‘A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD’
The University of Detroit Mercy Department of Performing Arts presents the family-friendly musical, “A Year with Frog and Toad” Oct. 27 to 29 and Nov. 3 to 5 at the Marlene Boll Theater.
Based on the books by Arnold Lobel, the show, with music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale, is directed by Sarah Hawkins Rusk.
Luke Adamkiewicz of Dearborn Heights plays Toad, with Alexander Knightwright as Frog.
The story follows Toad and Frog through different seasons and the highs and lows of their friendship as they go sledding in the winter and swimming in the summer, as well as raking leaves in autumn and baking cookies at Christmas time, learning life lessons along the way. The show celebrates the joys of friendship and the beauty of nature.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 3 and 3 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5 at the Boll Theater, 1401 Broadway in Detroit.
Tickets are $30 for general admission, $22 for seniors, faculty, staff and alumni, and $15 for students and veterans. On Nov. 3, all tickets are $15. To order, call the box office at 313-993-3270 or go to detroitmercyarts.com. Tickets are also available at the box office before the performance.
Nov. 4 is a sensory-friendly performance.
High school groups may receive free tickets by contacting [email protected].
THEATRE AND DANCE AT WSU PRESENTS ‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’
Wayne State University presents Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” Oct. 27 through Nov. 12 at the Hilberry Gateway Theater.
Directed by Joe Bailey, founding artistic director of The Ringwald Theater, the cult classic follows Brad and Janet who, on a dark and stormy night, find themselves seeking shelter in a mysterious castle, where Dr. Frank-N-Furter and his entourage are about to unveil his creation, Rocky.
Audience participation props will be permitted only at the Oct. 28 11:59 p.m. performance.
Other performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28 and Nov. 3, 4, 10 and 11; 7 p.m. Nov. 2 and 9; 2 p.m. Nov. 1, 4 and 11; and 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Hilberry Gateway Theater, 4715 Cass Ave. in Detroit.
Tickets are $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors, staff and alumni, and $17 for students with identification.
To order, call the box office at 313-577-2972 or go to wsushows.com.