Avenue Q, in London! How Did We Miss It Before?

It's more than a little crazy to come all the way to London, see an American musical - and find it so familiar, so real and well-observed, witty, loving and even joyous, that you wonder how it is possible that you hadn't' seen it before.  The play is Avenue Q, and for most people it will be a "yeah, and???" because it won so many Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Direction of a musical, Best Performance by a leading actor in a musical, and Best Performace by a leading actress in a musical, and because everyone has written about it for years.  Hah! And Cindy thinks she made some great discovery!  

In fact, I do think I've made a great discovery - that it's still possible that an entire theater full of people from dozens of countries (just seated directly around us were India, New Zealand, Australia and France) can respond to something without helicopters or wild moving sets or TV/film stars in the cast  -- something so completely human (well, if you count the puppets who are in fact among the "most" human) that it inspired and moved us all.  That all this can be accomplished with warmth and -- I know this sounds corny -- a real affection for what makes us human, for the power of laughter and of songs.  Both of us feel that we had a perfect evening, one that inspires gratitude, even.  Here's a little of it for you, in case you missed it too.(From the Tony's)

Comments

[Josh Kranzberg]

The first time I heard the soundtrack of Avenue Q was we were on a driving trip. I almost lost control of the car a couple of times. I love it in "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" when Gary Coleman says "I can't even get a get a cab!" One of the funniest moments in musical theater history as far as I'm concerned.

[Emily Samuels]

I know what you mean! I LOVE this show. I have the CD in my car, and play it whenever I need to cheer up.