Peoria Live Theatre League Review: Avenue Q

Hello, friends!

Avenue Q opened up this weekend to some of the largest audiences the ICC theatre program has ever seen. We've been getting incredible word of mouth and wonderful feedback. It's all very heartwarming. The official review of our show was posted today and I've shared it below. Please visit peorialivetheatre.com for more reviews of local theatre,

Avenue Q
Illinois Central College Theatre Department
September 26-28 & October 3-5
By Stan Strickler

If Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers were so inclined to produce an R rated story, you would have Avenue Q, a funny quirky musical about searching for a purpose in life. The story, told mainly through puppets with human actors manipulating them, concerns a young college graduate, Princeton, who is just starting out and is looking for his first job, his first apartment, and a significant other. Since he cannot afford an apartment in the more expensive neighborhoods, he decides to rent an apartment on Avenue Q a somewhat rundown neighborhood.

There, he meets a diverse set of characters including the Bert and Ernie-like characters of Rod and Nicky. His landlord is Gary Coleman, the former child star. Also living in the apartment complex are Kate Monster, Trekkie Monster, and a diverse group of characters. Brian and his eventual wife, Christmas Eve, also live in the apartment and are played by actors without the use of puppetry. Princeton loses his first job through downsizing, falls in love with Kate Monster, is seduced by Lucy the Slut, and through it all remains hopeful as he looks for his purpose in life.

The cast of this show is a talented group of college actors with nice voices. Trisha Bagby as Kate Monster, the kindergarten aide, has a lovely voice and winsome personality that exemplifies her innocence. Ryan Groves as Princeton portrays his wide-eyed innocence well and sings wonderfully. Matthew Henry as Gary Coleman is very funny as he struts across the stage in his short person costume and sometimes stands on his own two feet. Arianna Morgan as Christmas Eve uses an outrageous Asian-American accent quite well especially in her song “The More You Ruv Someone.” Nathan Apodaca as Brian also brings a winning presence to his role of the put upon husband who can’t seem to fulfill his dreams. Ramsey Hendricks as Trekkie Monster sounds like Cookie Monster as he rasps his way through the song explaining what the internet is for. Seth Hannan as Rod is very funny with his rather squeaky voice and Victor Griffith as Nicky is quite good as he argues with his roommate over trivial things. Rounding out the cast are Breann Dawson in two very different roles which she plays very well, and Emilie Dierks and Christopher McHenry as the Bad Idea Bears. Both of them are also wonderful as they try to convince characters to do the wrong thing.

The director Chris Gray has done a remarkable job with his young cast. Since most of the characters are puppets, the actors must manipulate them and use them to express their emotions while they are singing and acting at the same time. The audience focuses its attention on the puppet rather than the actor much as children do with the Muppets on Sesame Street and that is a real plus for this winsome musical. The set design by Rob Fulton realistically depicts a seedier section of the city and is really quite remarkable. The projections by Ryan Neubauer and Nathan Apodaca add to the humor of the entire show. They are not distracting, but they rather add more to the show.

Of course the real stars of the show are the puppets and they are truly wonderful. They are charming and portray the characters well. The orchestra conducted by Tony Jones also does a fine job, never drowning out the actors. Part of the credit for that must also go to Tannen Skriver, the sound designer. The costumes by Diane Faulkner were also great.

If you are not easily offended, I would highly recommend Avenue Q. It is quite funny, winsome, charming and somewhat naughty, but all with heart and joy as these young people struggle with trying to find their place in the world.

Avenue Q continues October 3 -5 at the ICC Performing Arts Center on the East Peoria campus. Performances on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30 pm, and the finale on October 5 begins at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $9 for the general public and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available by calling the ICC box office at 309-694-5136 or online at www.ArtsatICC.com

Posted September 29, 2014

Art serving as therapy: my journey with Rent

The Nederlander Theatre, home of Rent for 12 years - May 2008

It is simply amazing how simple text, music, or performance can become sort of a medicine for ourselves. I was 12 when I discovered my medicine in the film version of Jonathan Larson's Rent. For those who don't know the show, Rent is a Pulitzer-Prize winning and Tony-Award winning musical that follows the lives of a group of friends in New York's seedy East Village during the AIDS epidemic outbreak. It is a beautiful life-affirming piece of art, which is based on the opera La Boheme. In Rent, La Boheme's painter Marcello becomes Jewish introvert filmmaker Mark Cohen, his roommate becomes Roger Davis, a musician struggling with AIDS and bouts of depression.  Mimi, a seamstress in the original piece, becomes a junkie stripper with AIDS.

The show is a beautiful life-affirming piece. It came into my life when my friend Laura burned me a bunch of musical theatre cds (Side Show, The Sweet Smell of Success and a little show called Rent). I have Laura to blame for first exposing me to the show. I wore the cd out and was immensely excited for the film version later that year, which reunited most of the original cast from 1996 who reprised the roles that shot them into the theatre's biggest phenomenon since Hair.

When I discovered Rent, I had just fallen into a depression. I had been diagnosed with chronic daily headaches, which is pretty much just what it sounds like. I had headaches, purely awful ones, pervade my life on a daily basis. It sucked. I also was consistently bullied at school for who I was, even if I didn't know that detail about myself just yet. I mean I knew I was gay, but still I was pretty asexual at that age. I became obsessed with the film, and in turn, the show. I found just pure beauty in it.

The second time I saw the show - December 2007

I finally saw the stage production when the national tour came to the Peoria Civic Center on Halloween 2006. My mom and I went, dressed as two of the show's characters since it was Halloween after all. I was shaking when we entered the theatre. As lame as it sounds Rent became a religious experience for me. I don't remember seeing much of the second act because I cried through most of it and couldn't see it through my tears. Seeing the stage version only fueled the fire to the show I loved so much.

I ended up seeing the production professionally four times. The next time would be December 2007 with my cousin, grandma, and mom in Iowa. I was also lucky enough to see Rent in it's Broadway home in 2008 with the final Broadway cast. I called my mom when I heard the news Rent was closing on Broadway - somewhat upset that this piece I loved so much would no longer be in NYC. Later that night my mom asked me, "What are you doing May 30th?" and then asked me if I wanted to go to NYC to see Rent in it's final weekend on Broadway. I instantly burst into tears. I never expected that.

The opportunity to see this show that meant so much to me in the storied Nederlander Theatre was incredible. They had apparently already planned an NYC trip for mid-summer and were going to surprise my sister and I at our eighth grade graduation, but they pushed up the trip so I could see the show. Rent ended up extending to September, and since we got tickets to it's final weekend, we had the offer to switch our tickets to it's new final weekend, but we couldn't due to me being in a show in September. One of the most amazing things my parents have ever done for me. I'll never forget seeing the show in the Nederlander with Bill in the second row. Plus getting to share that show with Bill was amazing as I had seen it with mom previously.

Rent: The Farewell Tour - Chicago's Oriental Theatre, April 2009

The last time I professionally saw the show was when original stars Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Gwen Stewart, assembled with an all-star cast who had done the show over it's 12 year Broadway run, reunited for a farewell tour to the piece. Getting to see originators of the piece perform it was just insane. I'll never forget leaving the auditorium at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. I simply said "thank you" as I took one last look at the set, knowing that performance would be the last time I'd ever see the Broadway version of that show.

When my local community theatre did the show, I was the show's official groupie and saw every performance. I'd even come after rehearsal for my own show and just watch the second act. I really cannot put into words how much this show means to me. It changed my life. It helped me embrace myself. I will have my Rent tattoo someday. I cannot wait to hopefully someday direct this beautiful piece and put my mark on the show.

"Give into love or live in fear,
no other road, no other way,
no day but today"

You Live on Avenue Q

Hello, blog friends

Since some potential readers may not know me in my personal life, one of my biggest passions is musical theatre. At my young age, I've been involved in over sixty productions and have gotten to play two of my dream roles. I don't think that I'm the most talented person on this side of river. I'm continually shocked that directors see something they like in me and want to work with me. I like to think that I put 110% into everything I do as a person and a performer.

That being said, I am consistently looking for shows that challenge me on different levels. In April of this year, I found out that my local community college is staging Avenue Q. For those who don't know the show, here's a synopsis from Music Theatre International who holds the licensing rights to the show...

Me and Rod

Winner of the TONY "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart.

The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned.

First puppetry workshop, getting to know Rod

As soon as I heard the show was being produced, I knew that I wanted to audition. What a way to challenge myself by playing a puppet, and the show is one of the most cleverly written musicals ever in my opinion. Absolutely brilliant. I auditioned, had a callback, and was ultimately cast as Rod, the closeted gay Republican investment banker puppet. He's a parody of Sesame Street's Bert. For me to even be cast was a shock to me, at least. I graduated from the community college in May, so I am in the show as a proud alumni of the college.

We open in ten days, so it's getting down to the wire and I can already sense how brilliant, funny, and actually touching the show will be for our audiences. The character of Rod has not only been challenging in the sense of puppetry for me, but on other levels as well. Rod sings an unrequited love song, which I was terrified for. He also sounds like a muppet, and carries much of the emotional weight of the show. For someone who considers himself a character actor, it is rare to be called "the heart of the show" by the playwrights. It's been a true challenge in every sense of the word and I am relishing in it. A wonderful learning experience as I'm learning from directors, music directors, and fellow actors (all of whom are new to me, but three people).

If you're in the Central Illinois area, please consider coming to the show - unless you are easily offended (song titles include "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "If You Were Gay"). I also recommend the show for 17+, even though the show deals with puppets - it's very adult, but it has such a heart to it.

Illinois Central College presents
Avenue Q: The Musical
September 26th and 28th, and October 3rd and 4th at 7:30 PM
September 28th and October 5th at 2:30 PM
www.artsaticc.com

Gender

This is an earlier blog post from my Tumblr blog, I've decided to start writing my personal blogs here...

Here I am again. Twice in one week. I am compelled to blog yet again. Today’s blog comes from an interaction I had this morning at work. For those who don’t me personally, I work for a park district day camp with kiddos aged six to thirteen. It is fun and exhausting. 

Anyway, as the kids we’re checking in this morning, a guardian of one of the male campers came up to me and alerted me that some girl painted one of his nails yesterday at camp and they had an issue with it. I didn’t see the girl paint the nail as there are many children at camp and it’s kind of hard to see what they’re all doing at free time. 

What bothered me most though was the nanny talking about how his parents flipped out and apparently the nanny reminded the camper all the way to camp that he was a boy and boys don’t do that. It took everything I had in my power to just smile, nod, and tell the woman that I would address the situation.

Excuse me, but boys can do whatever they want and girls can as well. Growing up Seth as I like to call it was a healthy balance of what those consider masculine and feminine. I was a very feminine child by conventional standards. My favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz, I loved theatre and all of the Disney Princesses. I took dance classes for many years. As my sister was getting glitzed up for our annual dance recital, my mom would always paint my toenails, so I wouldn’t feel left out.

I had the absolute best parents a gay child could ask for. The first time I went to Disney World, my sister wore her Princess Belle dress and I wore my Princess Ariel costume. To wear the costume of a favorite princess is a Disney rite of passage to little children. I never for once thought I was wearing something feminine, I was just honoring my favorite mermaid. They also bought the Princess Jasmine costume that trip. :) 

The point of this blog post isn’t about gay or straight. It’s about what’s perceived as masculine or feminine. When are we going to stop labeling the toys children play with and what they like? It only creates a further divide between us as a human race. Why is a grocery cart deemed as a feminine toy? Do men not grocery shop? Are we reinforcing the notion that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.

I keep thinking of the character of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch as I write this blog. Hedwig strives to find her complete self the entirity of the piece. She ultimately embraces both her masculinity and femininity, which creates her as a whole individual. Like Hedwig, I am a whole individual because of all of the facets that make me myself. 

I also rocked pink swim shorts at work today. Real men wear pink. ;)

Much love,

Seth

Body Image

This is a repost from my Tumblr blog, I've decided to start writing my personal blogs here...

I’ve recently been compelled and inspired to write this blog post from a number of sources, but chiefly from a recent article in The Huffington Post dealing with male body image and a few late night heartfelt text message conversations with a good friend. I usually just reblog Disney, musical theatre, and LGBTQIA rights blurbs, but I honestly felt compelled to jot this all down and maybe it can help someone out.

For those who don’t know me personally. I stand at a statuesque height of 5’4 (5’5 on a good day). I was a premature baby by three full months. Doctors say that if I went full term I would have probably wound up around 5’7 or 5’8, but that is beside the point. Since I am of a shorter height, my weight distributes differently than it would the traditional male model. I have fuller thighs, a pooch in the front, a larger butt, and most recently I’ve gained a fuller face. In 2011 I was a 30 size waist, but now I am around 34. I am also very hairy. EVERYWHERE. There’s not much I can do about that though as both sides of my family are loaded with hairy men, so it was pretty much a given for me.

I am also a proud member of the LGBTQIA community. Would you believe that someone actually told me that they would pursue dating me if I got rid of my body hair? Yup, it actually happened. I am a pretty confident person and am primarily an extrovert, but if there’s one thing that gets to me it is the way I look, especially my body hair. I actually fell into a slight depression all fueled by what people said about my apperance.

As a queer community, we preach for acceptance in society, but then instantly label gay men on their appearance. I used to have a big problem being called a “bear” or “cub”. I would cringe. Beauty to me at the time was what was seen as more conventional. I’ve recently started over the past year or so to embrace my appearance as it is.

So, what if I’m a “cub” or whatever, I hope that the man I am with at the end of my life loves me for being Seth and not for whatever appearance label is put on me. You know what? Body hair is sexy, y short height is unique, and my small belly would be a good cuddling pillow. I will always embrace what makes me myself. I’ve started to own everything that makes me Seth and even when people still get on me about my body hair, I remind myself that it’s what makes me who I am in a way.

I shaved off my body hair once. I wasn’t happy. It’s all about perspective. I am also starting to learn to embrace my growing belly. That one I’m still working on, but it will come in time. This post was inspired by a very heartfelt recent conversation via text with a very good friend of mine. We’ve talked a lot about body image over the time that I’ve known him, and he’s helped me more than he will ever know.

So, if you’re a twink, a cub, or an otter, embrace what makes you yourself.  Even better, stop obsessing over your own appearance and embrace what makes you a good, well-rounded, and interesting person. I am a cub, but at the end of the day I’m also an activist, a performer, a camp counselor, a student, a friend, a brother, a son, and so on. I am me, and you should be YOU!