Avenue Q Tour is in AMAZING shape! Buffalo, NY 10/13/09

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 11:36pm

I just got back from the Avenue Q tour-it played tonight at the University off Buffalo Center for the Arts. The cast is exceptional-all in top form for it being so early in the tour. The theatre was either sold out or close to. The audience was enthusiastic and was loving every minute of it.

The cast was nailing all the laughs and had beautiful voices. It was pretty cool to see a male Gary Coleman and I think it makes more sense. Brent Michael DiRoma is a terrific Princeton and Rod. Jacqueline Grabois was a wonderful Kate, Lucy and all. Lisa Helmi Johanson was a hysterical Christmas Eve. Jason Heymann and Kerri Brackin were so talented as Nikky, Trekkie, Mrs. T, and the Bears.

Overall, the cast is top notch and tight. The cast got a rousing standing ovation and it was well deserved. Be sure to check out this tour with this stunning cast. What a delight...truly a funny and touching night at the theatre and it is reasonably priced.

Updated On: 10/14/09 at 11:36 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 11:57pm

I'm seeing it Sunday night! I can't wait!

PS: It's Kerri Brackin.

Are you reading this PGenre?! GO SEE IT!


Updated On: 10/13/09 at 11:57 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 12:07am

Thanks TheatreFan, I corrected it. Also, the cast is soooo cute. That picture doesn't do them all justice. Everyone of them is adorable! Actually, I think Avenue Q is more relevant and necessary now than when it opened. The messages are so important in today's economy.

Updated On: 10/14/09 at 12:07 AM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 12:13am

You're welcome. How was Tim Kornblum? I know he's been sick recently & missed a performance.

EDIT: The rest of their production photos.

http://www.friendsofavenueq.com/photo/photo/list

There site isn't live yet. Updated On: 10/14/09 at 12:13 AM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 12:18am

Tim was in and he was great too, but his Brian did not have as much presence as others I have seen. I remember Brian always having more of presence than Christmas Eve, but Lisa was so on top of her game, that Brian got a little lost I feel. But he is really funny.

[zamedy]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 10:39am

I would be there if I didn't have to work. Grrrr! It got a great review in the paper, too.
------------------------------------------------------

'Avenue Q' pulls all the right strings at UB
By Colin Dabkowski
NEWS ARTS WRITER

Western New Yorkers who missed last spring’s irresistible production of “Avenue Q” in Shea’s Performing Arts Center can now stop kicking themselves.

Everyone’s favorite troupe of foul-mouthed puppets has made a return trip, opening a two-day run Tuesday night at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts in Amherst.

This production doesn’t disappoint. Blessed with a gifted cast, seriously clever stagecraft and the sort of irreverent material that bears multiple viewings, “Avenue Q” once again proves itself one of the most beguiling musicals of the past decade.

The show, which takes its inspiration as much from “South Park” as “Sesame Street,” appeals to the sensibilities of anyone who has faced the harsh reality of post-collegiate poverty and misdirection.

It centers on the travails of a group of young characters — puppets and people alike — dealing with the inevitable identity crisis that follows years of primary and secondary education. It draws its strength and popularity from the way it packages its snarky view on the world in ways exceedingly comforting and familiar.

There’s Princeton (Brent Michael DiRoma), a recent grad who spends the show searching for his purpose and hitting a few pitfalls along the way; Kate Monster (Jacqueline Grabois), a kindergarten teaching assistant whose dream is to start a school for monsters; Rod (also DiRoma), a closeted investment banker and his roommate Nicky (Jason Heyman) — think Bert and Ernie; and Trekkie Monster (also Heyman), a voracious consumer of Internet porn and closet millionaire.

Featuring songs like “It Sucks to Be Me,” “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “If You Were Gay” and “The Internet Is for Porn,” the show is not making any grand philosophical statements. It’s sheer, uncomplicated and completely riotous fun — dopamine in puppet form. It even throws in a timely swine flu joke at the end to keep things relevant.

The cast, all fleet-footed and vocally talented, highlight the unique ensemble nature of the piece. All the performers seem to have opted to closely follow the quirky performances of the original Broadway cast. That’s especially true with DiRoma, who despite his fidelity to the original, plays the woebegone Princeton and the neurotic Rod with great skill and charm.

Anybody caught in the middle of a fall malaise should skip the antidepressants and head directly to the CFA for a dose of “Avenue Q.” You’ll be glad you did.

Theater Review

“Avenue Q”

??? 1/2

[zamedy]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 1:20pm

Bettyboy -- How did Princeton/Rod sound? A lot like John on the OBCR or different?

And after reading the review, I guess we know what they replaced the "George Bush" line with. "Swine Flu" is VERY clever... although it probably doesn't get the same huge reaction as the original line.

[Phantour]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 1:57pm

Excellent! I got tonight, seeing it for the first time, and I can't wait!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/14/09 at 3:46pm

Zamedy, yes, to me Brent sounded alot like Tartaglia and Jacqueline sounded alot like D'Abruzzo. They were really fantastic. They brought enough of themselves, but really seemed to channel the original players. I had such a great time.

[johnnhoj]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 12:51am

what did you think, phantour...?

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 4:48pm

I saw the show last night. I thought it was a great company. I loved that the actors made it their own. Some new interpretations that I really enjoyed. My favorite was Christmas Eve. I thought she nailed the role. My only problem with the show was having Gary Coleman as I guy. I think they way the song is written works better as a women. I thought it fell flat. It sounds like the songs are written too high for a guy to comfortably sing it so some things had to be taken down. Anyone else agree? I don't think the Gary Coleman songs were the showstoppers they could be. I did enjoy some of the things he did with the role though.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 5:18pm

After thinking about it, I do agree that while I like Gary being a male, the songs did lose some of their punch and power. I remember during "You Can Be As Loud As The Hell You Want" thinking that something was missing in the delivery. I think the songs weren't written for a man. I agree bdwy24.

Updated On: 10/15/09 at 05:18 PM

[Phantour]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 6:20pm

I loved the show! It was amusing entertainment at it's best. All of the actors were amazing and wouldn't know they were nonequity if I didn't read it. I thought Brent Michael DiRoma did an excellent job. I adored his Rod. It was amusing to see his own facial expressions for the character. I must admit being attractive that sometimes when he was Princeton I was looking more at him than Princeton. I heard about the puppet sex scene vaguely, but I was not ready for that. I couldn't stop gasping and laughing. The audience really seemed to eat it up and I expected some people to walk out, though they didn't. I did notice though when Rod comes out to the everyone and he wants applause from the audience to humor him, quite a few people around me didn't participate. The Bad Idea Bears were also favorites of mine. It was like Evil Elmo or something. I also enjoyed all the projections and how it was a salute to Sesame Street, but for adults. A fine cast and production!

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 10:09pm

This is great to hear! The tour is coming to my school and I wasn't sure if I was going to make a return visit to Q. This might have swayed me.

[zamedy]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 10:19pm

"I did notice though when Rod comes out to the everyone and he wants applause from the audience to humor him, quite a few people around me didn't participate."

It would be highly ironic if they 'didn't participate' simply because they were homophobic. One of the main messages of Q is tolerance and acceptace.. whether you're gay, straight, black, white, asian, or a monster.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 11:14pm

I don't think some audience members knew to clap to be quite honest. I don't think it denotes homophobia in any way. The same thing happened when I saw it.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 9:33am

I had no idea this was in Buffalo again! I just got back from my Fall break on Tuesday and I would've stayed in Buff a day longer just to see this. Glad to hear it was so well received!

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 8:03pm

Thats great to hear. I am going to the show in March 2010 and I can't wait!

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 10:02pm

Bettyboy's and that review swung me, TheatreFan4. You get your wish!

I still hate the show... one of only four or five scores I absolutely HATE. Gotta love subscription series shows...

P

[zamedy]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 10:07pm

It sucks to be you, Pgenre.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 10:12pm

I'll be the 6'5' dude slouched in the front row NOT standing at curtain call... and yes, it DOES suck to be me!



P

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 11:11pm

You'll have fun! I bet you will be standing. 7:30 show, right?

[Phantour]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 7:27pm

<< I don't think some audience members knew to clap to be quite honest. I don't think it denotes homophobia in any way. The same thing happened when I saw it. >>

Well, people were clapping, but maybe those who weren't were just confused for the reason why to clap. Or because they knew they didn't think it was that big of a deal.

[johnnhoj]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 1:05am

are the puppets the same as the original...? it looks like the bad idea bears are a little different than the original bears...almost cuter and more teddy bear looking...

any comments on the voices of the puppets? pretty true to the obcr or do any of these new guys play around with the voices? i am so anxious to see this version!!!! such great reviews. i checked ticketmaster yesterday and they had so many awesome reviews. so excited.

keep avenue q alive!

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 1:12am

The puppets & set are from the first national tour & some of the costumes are old Broadway one.

Jason Heymann has a sort of different voice for Nicky.

I uploaded this track of the cast performing on a talk show on Syracuse. They are singing "I Wish I Could Go Back to College"/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9ssZKt4-mo