It’s February. The Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of cold winter weather! While that may not directly impact those of us residing in the Coachella Valley, it means the complaints via phone calls and text messages from kin and friends living in Fargo, Duluth and Edmonton will continue.
News headlines have been filled with gloom, uncertainty and tragedy. It’s important to find strategies to cope. For example, some avid bridge players I know have vowed to only bid and play “No Trump” hands for the foreseeable future.
This brings me to another potential remedy to lift your spirits: The Revolution Stage Company is again presenting the 2004 Tony Award Best Musical winner, Avenue Q! The show was done last season by RSC to much acclaim, and the producers wisely decided to also include the production as part of their second season.
RSC co-founder James Owens once again directs. While several of last season’s cast members return, other roles have been recast. Once again, Owens has put together a talented cast of strong singers and actors. Musical direction was adroitly handled once again by Stephen Hulsey.
In the unlikely event that you’re unfamiliar: Avenue Q is performed with several actors manipulating large, Muppet-like puppets who are the characters in the story; other actors play “normal” humans. The characters interact with each other with no real differentiation between puppet and human—and this is NOT a kiddies’ puppet show. It would be rated R due to language, adult themes and, GASP, some puppet nudity. Songs include “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “If You Were Gay,” and “I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today.” Laura Stearns is credited with making the puppets, which are incredibly functional and differentiated. Musical tracks are used, but there is good balance between the music and singing voices. Kelley McGuire designed the sound, and it was operated nicely by Nick Forde. Mariah Pryor deserves credit for the clever use of projections and lighting.
Avenue Q is a fictional New York City neighborhood where an eclectic group of individuals live. Gary Coleman—yes, that Gary Coleman—is the owner of an apartment building. Alisha Bates reprises her Gary with lots of sass and a commanding singing voice. Her song “Schadenfreude” is spot on! Joseph Portoles plays/operates the puppet named Princeton, a recent college grad who is looking for an affordable apartment and a purpose in his young life. His Princeton is honest, sincere and naively touching.
Candace Coe plays/operates the puppet named Kate Monster, who is looking to find true love—and Princeton is a newly arrived possibility. She rides love’s rollercoaster, and her song “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” is very moving. Nathan Cox puppets Trekkie Monster wonderfully and without any reticence when he grabs the stage to delivers his now-famous anthem about the internet.
Christine Michele reprises her role of Christmas Eve, and plays her with manic energy as she bullies her love interest, Brian, warmly portrayed by Jacob Samples. Michele’s physical comedy is fun, but I had difficulty understanding what she was saying much of the time. Kelly McDaniel puppets two very different characters: Her Miss T. is a grumpy early childhood teacher, briefly seen and heard via telephone calls with Kate Monster; and Lucy is a take-no-prisoners woman who knows what she wants—and gets it. She’s quite wonderful!
Koby Queenen puppets Nicky, the affable, accepting roommate of puppet Rod, reprised by Samuel Moffatt. Their roommate ups and downs are enjoyable to observe thanks to nice chemistry. Moffatt delivers a rousing version of “My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada.” Queenen joins with Imani De Leon as they puppet individual Bad Idea Bears. Every person who manipulates a puppet in this show deserves an extra hooray, because they all made it look effortless.
Owens keep the show moving with smooth, unobtrusive scene changes. He also provides some very timely updates. The show’s final song, “For Now,” features the show’s characters looking at their lives, and what could change. One in particular got a roar of approval from the entire audience.
If you need an escape, go see Avenue Q!
Avenue Q will be performed at various dates and times through Sunday, Feb. 23, at Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Tickets start at $38, and the show is two hours and 15 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission. For tickets or more information, visit www.revolutionstagecompany.com.