'Avenue Q!' Street-Wise on Coronado Island

There are two times in our lives when we must rapidly learn to navigate the world: The first five years of life, and the five years just after high school, when we enter the "real world."

Wouldn't it be nice to have your safe, warm, fuzzy, "Sesame Street" monster pals to teach you all about that part of adult life? They are totally accepting, honest, educational, humor-filled, a little irreverent and, of course, you can ask them anything. "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to..." Avenue Q?

Though not affiliated with Jim Henson's famous Muppets, "Avenue Q" pays homage to them and was the winner of three Tony Awards, including 2004's Best Musical. Locally, Broadway San Diego brought us the National "Tour of Avenue Q: The Musical" in 2010. The performances proved to be incredible nights of entertainment. Fortunately, in 2015, the 100 seat, cabaret-style Coronado Playhouse secured the rights to produce it at a regional level.

Jennie Gray Connard (director and choreographer) brought the show to the play selection committee. She said of it, "We try to do at least one show per season that kind of stretches people a little bit, and 'Avenue Q' is one of those shows. Not a whole lot of people outside of the musical theatre world seem to know about it - it's a naughty 'Sesame Street.' It has wonderful music and great messages about coming of age. It has that 'Sesame Street' subtext, that there is always something to learn, and you really fall in love with these puppets. I love all different kinds of theatre... straight plays and musicals, but I am passionate about those on the more creative side. I think people are going to really enjoy 'Avenue Q.' "

When asked about some of her favorite numbers from the show, Connard says, "I really enjoy the Asian therapist named Christmas Eve, singing 'The More You Ruv Someone,' it has a real zinger in it and the song, 'Everyone's a Little Bit Racist.'"

Connard adds, "The biggest challenge is choreography for puppets in songs like, 'You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love),' you have humans interacting with the puppets. The puppets need to physically do as much as they can with their dancing and movement. Audience members will find they don't watch the actors controlling the puppets. When I saw it for the first time, it took a few minutes, but my eyes shifted and I started to watch the puppets. That is our goal."

Connard is thrilled: "We welcomed Joe Fitzpatrick, Jr. to the team. He is an accomplished puppeteer with an extensive resume and serves as puppet master for programs in Balboa Park. We wanted to bring true authenticity to 'Avenue Q' as it was intended in the original Tony Award winning production. He is helping the actors extend their talent through the puppets. It's a fascinating process to watch."

M.G. Perez, who wears several hats at the Coronado Playhouse, (Vice President of the Board of Directors, Media Coordinator and 'Avenue Q's' producer) offered a reminder that, "Coronado Playhouse is the community's theatre. We partner all of our productions with a non-profit organization to raise money and awareness. Our community partners for 'Avenue Q' are San Diego Humane Society and PAWS of Coronado. Among other events, we will have an 'Out On The Island' night for our LGBT fans on Thursday, January 29, and we are doing a Puppets and Pet Adoption Day on Saturday, February 7 with the San Diego Humane Society. Actors from the show will be parading around their own personal pets as part of the event."

Discretion Disclaimer: "Avenue Q" is brought to you by the rating letter "R" and, the more prudish might say, the letters "NC" and the number "17." This "street life" includes adult themes and full puppet nudity. Having seen it, this writer recommends it to audiences age 16 and up.

"Avenue Q" runs Friday, January 23 through Saturday, February 28 at the Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way. For tickets and more information call 619.435.4856 or go to coronadoplayhouse.com