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Avenue Q to Pull the Puppets off their strings.
In 2004, on Broadway, against all the odds, a little show called Avenue Q snatched 3 Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical from a monster hit, Wicket. This year, VR Theatrical and Kosie Smit are proud to present that triple Tony Winner to Johannesburg Audiences.
The Broadway production was described as ‘equal parts puppetry, comedy and catchy tunes’. Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud comedy musical that 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 is clear that this is not your ordinary neighbourhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.
The South African premiere will be Directed and Choreographed by Timothy le Roux, with Musical Direction by Dawid Boverhoff. Kosie Smit is tasked with Puppet Creation as well as Scenic Design. Lighting Design is by Oliver Hauser.
Le Roux said: “The all South African cast were put through their paces at auditions late last year. In musical theatre jargon the term ‘triple threat’ is often used to describe a person who is good at acting, singing and dancing. What makes this piece of theatre unique is that it includes all that – plus puppetry skills, which requires intensive training for our actors.”
The cast features stellar performers: Ashleigh Harvey as Kate Monster/Lucy, Clive Gilson as Princeton/Rod, Daniel Geddes as Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Grant Towers as Brian, Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri as Gary Coleman, Rebecca Hartle as Christmas Eve, Nieke Lombard as Bad Idea Bear, Graeme Wicks as Bad Idea Bear and Songezo Khumalo will fulfill various Understudy Roles.
Avenue Q is special in that the actors operate the puppets in full view of the audience, using both their hands while singing, acting and dancing. AVENUE Q contains scenes which may be unsuitable for children under 16. Children under 5 will not be admitted.
Avenue Q
Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 10 May 2018
Wednesdays – 20:00
Thursdays – 20:00
Fridays – 20:00
Saturdays – 16:00 and 20:00
Sundays – 15:00
Tickets range from R100 – R350 and are available through Computicket. Discounts are available for block bookings – contact Geraldine on geraldine@montetheatre.co.za for block booking discounts.
Er, well, this is where it gets a bit fuzzy. If your teenager is mature enough to see a musical about issues such as sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn, then they’ll probably love AVENUE Q too! Only you can judge. It’s hard to say what exact age is right to see AVENUE Q – parents should use their discretion based on the maturity level of their children. But we promise you this – if you do bring your teenagers to AVENUE Q – they’ll think you’re really cool!
