[NEohioPAL] Berko review: AVENUE Q @ Cain Park

[Roy Berko]

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*AVENUE Q, X-rated fun at Cain Park*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)



What can be said about a delightful, thought provoking, Tony award winning,
*Sesame Street* for adults?  How about, it’s fun and you should go see it!



AVENUE Q, a production now on stage at Cain Park’s Alma Theatre, is an
often hilarious and heartfelt story about Princeton, a bright-eyed college
grad who comes to New York with his hopes, little money, and a trusting
soul.  He moves onto Avenue Q, a place populated by weird and wonderful
characters that are part puppets and part human.



Through song, dance and humor we follow Princeton as he and his new found
group of twenty-something friends, struggle to find jobs, dates, but most
importantly, their ever-elusive, purpose in life.  Among others, there’s
Kat Monster, Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster, and Gary Coleman, all
searching for purpose and making commentary on education, politics, human
sexuality, and life in general.



Winner of the triple crown of Tonys—Best Musical, Best Score and Best
Book—the show has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and book
by Jeff Whitty.   The satire is high, as represented by such songs as* It
Sucks to be Me*, *What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?*, *Everyone’s a
Little Bit Racist*, *The Internet is for Porn*, and *I’m not Wearing
Underwear Today*.  Doesn’t sound like the score from they typical musical
theatre piece?  Well, this is not the typical musical theatre script or
score.



The Cain Park production, under the wise direction of Buss Borski, milks
the script for all it is worth.  The characterizations are generally clear,
the staging crisp, songs are mostly well sung, most of the actors are
easily understood, the orchestra backs up rather than drowns out the
singers, and the dancing is delightful.



The wonderful puppet designs and fabrication are a local effort, executed
by Terry Pieritz and Russ Borski, with the aid from puppet consultant Larry
Nehring.  After a while the stuffed-beings and their live partners meld
into single beings.



Cherubic faced Jesse Markowitz is adorable as Princeton.  He has a
wonderful singing voice, moves well, and lights up the stage with his
effervescent smile, twinkling eyes, and believable presentation.  His
rendition of *Purpose* is endearing.  This is one very talented young man!



Patty Lohr gives a nice quality to Kate Monster. Her drunk scene is
delightful. Sean Szaller adds humor as Nicky.  John Paul Boukis, with his
huge eyes flashing and high-pitched voice of fear, is nothing short of
sensational as the closeted Rod.  Todd Hancock, as the porn addicted
Trekkie Monster, almost steals the show.  Michelle Berkowitz and Zachary
Lamb are properly mischievous as the Girl and Boy Bad Idea Bears.  Dan
DiCello (Brian) makes for a good, bad stand-up comedian.  Joanna May
Hunkins personifies every kid’s nightmare as Mrs. T, the kindergarten
teacher.



Be aware, if you are a prude, that there is a vivid sex scene (yes, puppets
having intercourse), lots of four-letter words, and some
unpolitically-correct stereotyping.   For the rest of us, those scenes and
language, just add to the overall delightful outlandishness of the
production.



(The show is dedicated to the memory of Paul Gurgol, who was to co-direct
the show but died shortly before the start of rehearsals.)



*CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:  The award winning AVENUE Q, Sesame Street for adults,
gets a well-honed production at Cain Park.  Show highlights include spot-on
performances by Jesse Markowitz, John Paul Boukis and Todd Hancock.  This
is a must see for the more liberal minded.***



Tickets for AVENUE Q, which runs through July 1 at Cain Park’s Alma Theater
can be obtained by calling 216-371-3000 or going on line to www.cainpark.com
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