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