AVENUE Q: THE HISTORY

Photo: Avenue Q – Carla Renata, Minglie Chen, Nicky, David Benoit

The Phenomenon

A show starring a cast of fuzzy puppets searching for love, purpose, and a decent apartment? Not your typical Broadway fare. Then again, neither is AVENUE Q’s remarkable success story. In 2003, veteran producers Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman and Jeffrey Seller, with co-producers The New Group and Vineyard Theatre, gambled that AVENUE Q’s appeal was big enough for Broadway and moved the show from its downtown, off-Broadway venue to the Golden Theatre on W. 45th St., in the heart of the Theatre District. The show’s first fans were mostly young New York professionals who then raved about it to their friends and co-workers. Within months the word had spread, and before long, AVENUE Q had earned its place on Broadway, not to mention three Tony Awards.

Where It All Began

In 1998, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, AVENUE Q’s talented young creators, were fresh out of college when they crafted their musical comedy about graduation from school amid great expectations, only to end up underpaid and underappreciated. In a New York writer’s workshop, the pair came up with the idea of using puppets reminiscent of sunny children’s televisions programs to lend irony – and humor – to their gritty themes of grown-up life. They originally thought their script would spin off into a television series. However, with encouragement and backing from three experienced theater producers, Lopez and Marx developed their unique concept for the stage with book writer Jeff Whitty. AVENUE Q opened off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in March, 2003, where it received rave reviews and was extended four times. The show opened at Broadway’s Golden Theatre in July, 2003, where it continues to play to sold-out audiences eight times a week.

The Story

AVENUE Q tells the story of bright-eyed college grad Princeton, who comes to New York with big dreams and a small bankroll. The only apartment he can afford is in a shabby neighborhood filled with other would-be success stories: There’s Brian, the unemployed comedian who lives with his fiancé Christmas Eve, a Japanese born therapist with two graduate degrees and no clients. Next door, easy-going slacker Nicky rooms with Republican investment banker Rod, who favors 40s musicals and seems to be hiding a secret. Then there’s Kate Monster, a lonely but adorable kindergarten teaching assistant, and Trekkie Monster (no relation to Kate), an Internet porn addict with a heart of gold. And don’t forget the building’s superintendent, former child star Gary Coleman. Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, love, and their ever elusive purpose in life.

Bringing The Puppets to Life

AVENUE Q’s creators faced extra challenges in their use of puppets as major characters. For one, it wasn’t easy to find performers who could sing, act, and skillfully manipulate life-sized puppet torsos. Then, there was the problem of directing inanimate characters with relatively immobile expressions. Finally, would audiences accept cute, button-eyed creatures singing candid ditties about sex, racism, morality, and love? Judging by the show’s critical acclaim and numerous awards, it appears that the team behind AVENUE Q has succeeded in giving their cloth creations human souls.

The Awards

In a remarkable sweep of the 2004 Tony Awards, AVENUE Q took the top three honors: Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. It also won the Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding New Musical for its off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre.

Avenue Q – Kate Monster, Kelli Sawyer