Wherein A Mexican Visits Avenue Q

So, at the risk of sounding totally camp, I love musicals. It's a combination of things really, be it the production values or lack thereof, making it absolutely charming in it's simplicity, the venue itself and the grandeur they possess, or the wonderful music that they might have. Toe-tapping isn't the word I'd use. If a musical's described as being a 'toe-tapping good time', it is something of a testament to fail really. I'm dubious of a lot of them though. As of this typing, their is actually a musical for Shrek, and the whole thing is reminiscent of the Wiggles as performed by Billy Connelly and a gimp in a fursuit.

Lady Gaga had a weekend free.

I'm no musical buff, I'm rather shamed to admit. I know enough in regards to certain names that were extremely influential to the scene, in particular Busby Berkeley and his obscenely detailed and grand displays, but aside from that I'm kind of clueless. That doesn't mean I don't have an appreciation for it though. Ty top three musicals are Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, and South Park: The Movie. Yes, South Park was in fact a musical and Matt and Trey have cleared up the misconception that it wasn't. The Producers a lot of people didn't like, but I didn't have a major problem with it. I might be biased though, being a rather fervent fan and supporter of anything Mel Brooks related. As for Little Shop, Levy Stubbs' voice was one of a kind, and filling in for a giant foul-mouthed man-eating plant was just too awesome beyond words. Though a bit of wind gets taken out of his sails when you compare Audrey 2's voice to that of Mother Brain from the utterly mind-blowing terribleness that was Captain N: The Game Master.

Show me the fear in your eyes!

I'm happy to include Avenue Q in this growing list, having waited close to 6 years to see it. I'd wanted to go see it in Vegas during my last trip out there, but I was sorely lacking in bread. That and it was during my sister's birthday, so breaking off to go out and do my own thing could have been considered something of a faux pas. Plus I didn't have the stuff that you use to actually do things that are worthwhile. Money, that's the ticket. So I treated myself on my birthday, something I never have the chance to do, and went to go see Avenue Q at the Pantages! To say I was giddy with excitement was a vast understatement.

The Pantages is right on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and it really is quite wonderful to walk down and look at the Stars. On a much more ridiculous note, not but three blocks away from The Pantages is a High Church of Scientology, with an exhibit on the life of L.Ron Hubbard.

Puppets on rocket beds, and Lord Xenu's madness, all on the same street. Only in California folks. Only in California.

So, what's Avenue Q about, and why is it so popular? Well, it's a musical play done in a sort of slice of life fashion, following the trials and tribulations of Princeton, a grad student fresh out of college, having earned his BA in English. Unable to find an affordable place to live in New York, he walks through town until he gets to the titular Avenue Q having worked his way down from Avenue A and even Hell's Kitchen. The rent is cheap, and his neighbors, while exceptionally odd, are nice enough, and he rents out an apartment there. His neighbors include Brian (an out of work comedian), his fiancee Christmas Eve, (a Japanese immigrant with two Master's Degree's in Social Work and Therapy but is unable to get any clients); Rod and Nicky, who share an apartment (but one of them is an extremely closeted homosexual), Kate Monster, a lovable kindergarten teacher's aid with a gigantic heart (but she can't seem to find a boyfriend), and Trekkie Monster (a shameless porn addict).

Oh, and the Superintendent is Gary Coleman. (Who made a lot of money that got stolen by his folks.)

Plus they're all puppets, with exception to Brian, Christmas, and Gary.

It sucks to be you!

Sure it sounds utterly bizarre, but really this only scratches the surface of the delightful cauldron of madness.

-Part 2 to follow-