Avenue Q

**UPDATE** The entry below refers to the version of Avenue Q in Vegas before they hacked it up. They should have just built the same size theatre that the production inhabits in NYC to sold out crowds, 40% smaller, and then their 60% ticket sales would have been 100%, and they'd have had a smash hit. We went to Vegas to see it one more time in late FEB, and they had edited out several songs and shortened it to 90 minutes with no intermission. It's still a fun show. But it's not the show that won the Tony. Oh well. Now it will tour, and tour successfully! Go see the tour instead!
**

November 12th, 2005
Las Vegas, The Wynn Theatre
Musical, went with 5 friends

What a treat.
RENT meets SESAME STREET is not a bad way to describe this hilarious blend of live actors and "muppet-like" characters. Though, instead of learning about the alphabet, these characters are learning about racism, culture, pornography on the internet, self-esteem, unrequited gay love, committment, and the trials and tribulations of being a 20-something and trying to find a career and a mate.

Avenue Q's transfer from the Broadway stage (where B & I saw it twice) to The Wynn in Las Vegas was a faithful and flawless one. What few trims and primps done to the Vegas version are barely noticeable. The theatre is gorgeous as well.

We saw The Blue Bear cast, of course, as it had Broadway original cast members Rick Lyon and John Tartaglia. The rest of the cast, including the girl who played Kate Monster, were wonderful.

If you're going to Vegas, this is must see. Even if you don't care for musical theatre, you'll laugh out-loud at mosters obsessed with porn, Gary Coleman as the building super, and full-puppet nudity. But what really makes this Tony-winner a thrill, is the catchy, fun melodies and brillaint book & lyrics. 5 stars all the way.