By MaryAlice Nelson
Starlight Community Theater brings Avenue Q School Edition to life in Phoenix, AZ. This adult-themed parody of Sesame Street that has been toned down a lot from its original version to make it acceptable for a younger or more conservative audience without losing the integrity of the show. The story follows a group of puppets and humans living in an apartment building managed by former child-star Gary Coleman in New York City. While maintaining a similar feel to the loved children’s program, it focuses on topics such as being 30 and single, or unemployed, racism, and/or homosexual in a fun upbeat way.
The show opens strong with “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English/ It Sucks to Be Me.” This wonderful song gives you a little background on each character it introduces, and pulls you right in with the truth it pours out. Princeton (William Rippenkroeger) the young naive college grad trying to find his purpose in life brings you back to those days of youthful innocence. Rippenkroeger’s dedication to character and charm is undeniable. His energy, acting, and puppetry skills shine through making him a delight to watch. Princeton and Kate Monster’s (Quinlyn Ashlock) dynamic is wonderful as they play through how awkward dating can be; you can see how much Kate wants this relationship to work. Ashlock brings the room to tears when she sings “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” as she invites the audience to feel her loneliness and heartbreak.
Brian (Logan Swope) who is marrying Christmas Eve (Anjielyn Chang), learns how offensive he is being when he refers to his Asian-American wife as Oriental in “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist.” While Gary Coleman (Naomi Solomon) makes you question our culture with “Schadenfreude” and points out that we all find happiness in the misfortune of others, putting himself at the butt of the joke. Solomon, though a female, is committed to the character and through her physical comedy and pure talent, lights up the stage. Trekkie Monster (Justin Carey) is hilarious, always popping up in the window and interrupting, showing some of the good and bad that goes on online.
Rod (Matthew Eads) shows the insecurity of being of a gay man trying to hide his feelings for his best friend, Nicky (Oakley Rinehart). Eads and Rinehart interact beautifully, their puppetry skills are on point, I couldn’t help but notice the similarity in the voices they had to the characters from Sesame Street they were to be parodying.
The Bad Idea Bears (Isabella Menzel and Bella Swope) are in sync with each other: their pacing and partnering are great and entertaining, presenting Princeton with nothing other than as their names would suggest, bad ideas.
Lucy, (Mackenzie Morgan) has a stunningly sultry voice that is crooningly lovely. Poor little Princeton doesn’t stand a chance. Mrs. Butz (Sabrina Dart) is a joy to watch. Dart’s character voice is on point, with puppetry skills to match. With her, I didn’t know whether to watch her or the puppet, but there was no wrong choice either way. Ricky (Amelia Luadtke) though only as that character for a moment, is a nice added touch. Luadtke creates wonderfully in the ensemble as well, and does a stellar job as Nicky’s right hand. New Kid (Maelahni Martin)’s attitude shines and brings a lightness to Avenue Q. Martin is also ensemble and keeps up with the antics of Trekkie as the additional puppeteer.
Director Susan Gibson creates a marvelous flow, has cast her show with talented performers, and Avenue Q is fantastic.. Using all of the limited space she has available, her blocking does wonders and has helped her actors keep the pacing up. Music Director Travis White helps each actor with their musicality and the resultant sound is very nice.
The set design by Michelle Johnston is a fine use of the limited space in conjunction with the sound design by Eric Gibson. I felt pulled right onto the streets of New York. Renee Ashlock’s lighting design takes particular care for the confined space. My favorite scene was when the lighting switched over to the black lights for “Purpose”. And that is where the choreography by Lindsay Tejera shines. Because the stage is small, Choreographer Tejera shows her skills by helping her dancers move with style, accentuating the story with their dance moves. Tejera doubled as Costumer, and she takes this to wonderful heights. Even though the puppeteers were in black, they all compliment the puppet’s character, keeping a feel for each individual’s personality, such as Morgan’s ‘little black dress’ to compliment Lucy or Eads in a button-up to match Rod’s suit.
The Starlight Community Theater is a little hard to find if you have never been there before, due to it being so small. There is limited parking in the lot out front, but plenty of legal street parking available. I was surprised at how small it was inside, but their productions are big in heart, value, entertainment, and fun.
Avenue Q School Edition brings truths to the stage in a fun and entertaining way, that still makes the audience look and question within ourselves on how we can be better, and find our purpose. Be prepared to laugh, and think, and just have a good time. Oh, and don’t forget to bring some small bills for when they talk about giving to those less fortunate, because when you help others, you bring that light back to yourself in the nicest of ways. They kindly point out that though life may suck, your circumstances are like this only for now and you have the power to change them. Avenue Q runs two more weeks at the Starlight Theater in Phoenix, AZ, so make sure you get your tickets now.
Starlight Community Theater presents Avenue Q School Edition. Music and Lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez. Book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W Whispering Wind Drive, Suite #9, Phoenix, AZ 85085
January 19, 25-26, February 1-2, 2019, 7:00 PM, Matinees January 20, 26-27 February 2, 2019, 2:00 PM
Tickets: $20
Contact: 623-252-6815, info@StarlightCommunityTheater.com
Starlight Community Theater Facebook Page
Avenue Q School Edition Facebook Event
0 Comments