Avenue Q Closing Day Love Thread

[LightsOut90]

this evening after 6569 performance between Broadway and Off-Broadway, Avenue Q, the little puppet show that could, closes at New World Stages.

would love to hear peoples stories and memories of this incredible piece of theater.

 

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Anyone looking at my avatar knows this is a special show to me. I love it. I caught it for a final time last week and it’s as fresh, hilarious, and touching as it was 16 years ago. I think it’s a perfectly written show. I will be so sad to see it gone from NYC, but I’ve seen it multiple times over the years, including the brilliant original cast, and the show itself even prepared us for this moment with its final line: “Everything in life is only for now.”

Thank you, Avenue Q, for the laughs, tears, and puppet sex. I’ll never be the same (and my eyes can never unsee that).

[MollyJeanneMusic]

I got to be in a performance for my local community theatre's 20th anniversary with songs from each of the Best Musical winners since the theatre had opened.  The entire cast took part in singing "For Now."  Including the kids who didn't know what "sex" meant.  One of the kids asked what it meant, and we all said "gender at birth" and moved on.  During the performance, there was a slideshow behind us with pictures from the Center's production of the show, and we learned that the people who had played Kate and Princeton had recently passed away, so we used the song as a memorial to them.  It was really sweet, and I still get a little choked up at those harmonies at the end.

[bear88]

It took me a while to persuade my wife to see this show. We finally did on New Year's Eve at the New Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, and she laughed more than just about any show I can recall seeing with her. It's a delightful, funny, and unique musical.

I was tempted to see it during our recent New York City trip, but it may turn into a holiday tradition for our family, as it's an annual thing now in San Francisco.

[LuPita2]

I saw this at New World Stages for free, volunteering as an usher.  I don't think they have that program anymore.  I loved it to much, the audience was so into it, what a delightful, hilarious theater experience. I hope everyone from all walks of life can see this show, wherever they are in the world.  

Happy Trails!

[Wick3]

I was still in college when this show came on Broadway and I remember how crowded its in-person lotteries were back in the summer of 2004. I’ve watched the show both on and off broadway multiple times throughout my life (yes even at age 33) and have always had a great time. When friends visit me in nyc and are indifferent to which show to watch, I’d pick avenue q for them for the simple reason that it was fairly easy to get tickets last minute.
Any idea if the puppets will be auctioned off? Hopefully the cast members will get to keep them!

[goldenstate5]

What a shame that the show was never professionally/commercially filmed. Such an iconic production that you'd think somebody would've pounced upon that, but alas. 

I bid it adieu, my first theatre obsession.

EDIT: heh the official website now has a notice that a tour will be announced soon from Work Light Productions, so it's not quite dead yet, at least aside from NYC

[Crazy NooNooHead]

I got to see it twice on Broadway and six times at New World Stages, including tonight's closing performance. It's one of my favorite shows, and I miss it already. Thank Q. <3

[Danielle49]

I also used to go to the holiday run in San Francisco every year when I was living in the Bay Area. I remember seeing it for the first time there and looking at the audience — people of all different age groups — and being worried that some folks weren’t gonna have a good time. There was an immediate standing ovation after the show and from I could tell, not one face that wasn’t glowing as we exited the theater.

What a fantastic New York run for this show. I hope many, many audiences will continue to be exposed to it, love it, and appreciate it. It’s one of my absolute favorites.

For those who went to the final performance yesterday, were there standout moments or anything special done before, during, or after the show?

[HamilHansen]

How apropos, I say, looking at the last two numbers of the number of performances.

It, I'm sure, was not intentional.But nonetheless, how apropos. 

[everythingtaboo]

I saw it maybe ten times on Broadway, each time bringing family and friend of all audiences - and levels of interest in theatre - that absolutely loved it. Then I was lucky enough to usher that show a ton for about a year at NWS, and it never, ever got old to me. Loved it each and every time. It's such a gem, and I'l going to miss it. 

[Tag]

Someone please tell me that they sang "Avenue Q is only for now" yesterday!

[HeyMrMusic]

They said “Donald Trump.”

Ruthie Ann Miles (from the audience) led everyone in their happy trails song: “Q is a big fat whore!”

Gary Adler, original music director, was conducting.

The theatre was a who’s who of Avenue Q throughout the ages. Almost everyone turned out. It was a real celebration.

[Daniel M]

Does anyone have a scan of the closing week Stagelight covers?