Puppets, porn, and perverts
Don't let cute and cuddly fool you, this show is anything but innocent
CLOSE YOUR EYES, kids. Yes, those puppets are having sex.
Audiences found themselves shocked and delighted June 22 as cute, wide-eyed puppets cursed, fornicated, bared cleavage, and got drunk during the Ottawa opening of the Tony Award-winning musical, Avenue Q.
Avenue Q has brought its unique style and story—child-like puppets that tackle the big issues—to Ottawa as part of the Broadway Across Canada tour. The musical comically juxtaposes the innocence and playfulness of puppets with mature subject matter, and presents relevant social observations through songs like "You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want (When You're Makin’ Love)", "The Internet Is For Porn", and "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist."
The characters living on Avenue Q—a run down street in a New York borough—are both puppets and humans. Princeton, one of the main puppet characters, is fresh out of college and looking for his purpose out in the "real" world. The musical follows him as he tries to find and fulfill his life’s purpose while interacting with the colourful characters on his street: his neighbours, Brian and Christmas Eve, and Rod and Nicky; his landlord, child star Gary Coleman; and his romantic interest, Kate Monster. Avenue Q follows all of these characters as they deal with the challenges life throws their way.
Presenting heavy topics—like commitment, sexuality, purpose, and racism— through puppetry allows for audience members to step out of their comfort zone more easily, says puppeteer and actor Brent Michael DiRoma, who is the hands and voice of puppets Rod and Princeton.
"We wouldn't be accepted nearly as well as cute, furry puppets," says DiRoma. "It allows you, as an actor, to play more and do things you wouldn't normally do, like talk about these subjects."
The child-like nature of the show is reminiscent of programs like Sesame Street, and the Care Bears, shows that taught children the basics—how to share, how to be kind, and how to count.
“This show is supposed to [pay] homage to shows people watched growing up, about puppets and humans living [together],” says DiRoma.
It's clear that some of the characters in Avenue Q were based on well-known childhood favourites. The Bad Idea Bears are like Care Bears who delight in giving bad advice, and offering evil suggestions. In addition, the low-moaning Trekkie Monster—who has an unhealthy, gluttonous obsession with pornography—and male roommates Rod and Nicky evoke memories of classic Sesame Street characters. (Rod is a closeted homosexual who is secretly in love with his roommate, Nicky).
“Those two characters [Rod and Nicky] are meant to [be a] tribute [to Bert and Ernie],” explains DiRoma, who studied shows such as Sesame Street and Eureka’s Castle, in order to prepare for the characters.
DiRoma, who has been a part of the production since September 2009 says what makes the show so unique is the mix of child-like elements, mature subject matter, and what he calls the “big heart” of the show.
“We’re not just cussing and having sex and doing ridiculous things to rattle your cage,“ says DiRoma. “That’s not the only purpose of it. It’s to get you to wake up, of course, because a puppet screaming F–U–C–K will definitely get your attention, but there’s a bigger purpose behind it.”
Avenue Q will be playing at the National Arts Centre until June 27, 2010. Tickets prices range from $29 to $89.
