Book-in-Motion

One More Productions / The GEM Theatre

Director: Damien Lorton
Video Designer: David Sajewich
Scenic & Prop Designer: Victor Crisafulli

Run Time: 2 Hours + 15 Minute Intermission

Review & Photo Credits by Destiny Lynn

Welcome to…Avenue Q!

Who needs Avenue A, B, or C when you’ve got Avenue Q? Garden Grove’s GEM Theatre may be an intimate space, but this One More Productions staging of the puppet-filled, satirical musical packs more laughter than some Broadway houses. Sesame Street navigated simple issues for children. It is time to meet the older sibling who provides practical guidance on complicated matters. 

Since its debut in 2003, Avenue Q deserves a special rite of passage for young adults. Sesame Street taught us to spell and share; Avenue Q teaches us how to survive rejection, rent, relationships, and racism with a lot of sass, a little shock, and plenty of heart. Starring Matthew Rangel as Princeton, the show unfolds with a man trying to find his purpose in life from career to relationships in New York City. Rather than avoiding these issues, the show bridges conversations through comedy and puppetry. 

Puppets, People, & Performances

With just seven cast members juggling multiple roles, the puppetry is a feat in itself. The performers, dressed in black, disappear into the background while the puppets steal the spotlight, sometimes literally roaming through the audience. “The Money Song” in Act Two cleverly doubled as both comedy and a fundraising moment.

Sasha Baker was the night’s standout as Kate Monster and Lucy T. Slut. Her ability to create two entirely distinct voices and personalities gave each puppet its own life. Evie Becerra’s Christmas Eve, sharp-tongued but warm, had the audience in hysterical tears while showing impressive vocal stamina.

The tag team of Allie Kylie and Peter Crisafulli, who brought Nicky to life, turned what could have been an odd choice, two people for one puppet, into a mesmerizing bit of coordination. Their precise, synchronized movements became an act all their own.

Matthew Rangel’s Princeton was earnest and energetic, anchoring the story of a young man in search of purpose. While his vocals weren’t the strongest of the evening, his physicality kept audiences invested. His second role, Rod, could have been given more contrast to Princeton, which might have highlighted the character’s neuroses more sharply.

Design Choices

Instead of casting one role to each person, Director Damien Lorton challenged his team to portray multiple characters in a show. Lorton kept the pace brisk, aided by Mac McDermott’s quick lighting transitions and David Sajewich’s video design, which threaded Princeton’s journey with recurring themes like “purpose.” Though, at times, the spotlight would not feature the character in time as a person moved downstage towards the audience to speak. However, a pair of TVs kept the story flowing with clever nods to Sesame Street-style interludes.

As a visually appealing center piece, the outside view of apartments 68, 69, and 70 served as the backdrop for the entire show. Though, the apartment façade was not always flexible enough to fully disguise inside versus outside scenes. Still, the cast made clever use of windows and doorways, especially Crisafulli’s Trekkie Monster peeking out from above.

So, What’s My Purpose?

Like Princeton, we all wonder what our purpose is. As he questioned his college, career, and relationship choices, Avenue Q! ultimately answered a tough question with a simple answer: I Don’t Know. While naturally wanting a happy ending to stories and Avenue Q! certainly delivers, the story is admirable in by not pretending that life has easy solutions. What someone determines as their dream is different from others. As Trevin Stephenson (Gary) commented to Princeton at the end of the show: “Some never find their purpose, or others think they find it early, only to find it does not work out.” 

Avenue Q! compares to a comedy show in a musical format: It is not for everyone. As with comedy, the show does not hold back in talking about sensitive or obscene issues that some may prefer to remain silent about. However, if the soundtrack does not scare you away, the performance presents a hilarious story that audience members will remember. 

If Sesame Street delivered life advice for children, Avenue Q! gives us laughter for adulthood.