AVENUE Q

Critics

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100 %

Reviews: 9

Audience

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Reviews: 0

THE GROUP REP Brings AVENUE Q to Lonny Chapman Theatre May 31 – July 7

The Group Rep presents AVENUE Q, Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, directed by Patrick Burke, produced by Drina Durazo and Kevin Hoffman, Jr., Music Direction by Paul Cady, and Choreography by Michele Bernath. The show will run May 31 through July 7 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Theatre and Arts District.

This fresh and unusual Tony-award winning musical is a coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by Sesame Street, that they were “extraordinary” and “could do anything”; but as adults, they have discovered, to their surprise, that in the real world their options are limited, and they are actually ordinary like everyone else. This quirky musical ranks 24th on the list of the longest running shows in Broadway history. Avenue Q is notable for the use of puppets, animated by unconcealed puppeteers.

The cast features the talents of Ashkhan Aref, Courtney Bruce, Joey Flint, Hartley Powers, Kristina Reyes, Harley Walker and Troy Whitaker.

The design and production team includes Puppet Creations by Patrick Burke inspired by the Puppet Designs of Rick Lyon, Chris Winfield (Set Design), Addison Calvin (Lighting Design), Stephanie Colet (Costume Design), Steve Shaw (Sound Design), Patrick Skelton (Assistant Director), J. Christopher Sloan (Properties), Doug Engalla (Photography & Videography), Lisa McGee-Mann (Puppet Wrangler), and Doug Haverty (Graphic Design).

About Show Times and Tickets: May 31 – July 7. Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm, Sundays 2:00 pm. Added shows Thursday June 13 at 8:00 pm and Thursday June 27 at 8:00 pm. Talk backs after matinees June 9 and June 23. Adult themes, language and full puppet nudity. General Admission: $30. Students/Seniors with ID: $25. Groups 10+: $20. For tickets and information: www.thegrouprep.com or (818) 763-5990. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood 91601.

Reviews

Like the pre-school tots, even adults may learn something from AVENUE Q. And have a great time doing it. AVENUE Q is definitely one of the best productions ever staged by the Group Rep, a not-to-miss, one-of-a-kind show that will entertain, educate, and amaze everybody in the audience.

sweet - Elaine Mura - Splash Magazines - ...read full review


Parents of younger kids are hereby forewarned. Avenue Q gets an R-rating for raunch, so leave preteens at home with the babysitter and some age-appropriate Disney flicks. Also, anyone offended by the F-word and/or puppet sex should probably opt for the nearest Rodgers And Hammerstein musical. Everyone else may feel free to head over to North Hollywood where The Group Rep is offering adult audiences musical comedy entertainment with equal parts edge and heart, aka Avenue Q.

sweet - Steven Stanley - StageSceneLA - ...read full review


Director Patrick Burke blends eye-catching production design with subtle underplaying to pointedly comment on life.

Full of relatable moments and infectious humor, Avenue Q is raunchy, rollicking entertainment for the more mature at heart.

sweet - Mary Mallory - Tolucan Times - ...read full review


Patrick Burke has given us a fantastic musical filled with great direction, as well as casting the exact right person for each character/puppet. Paul Cady’s musical direction, and Michele Bernath’s choreography enhance this great show.

...this is a MUST SEE. Yes it’s puppets, and yes it’s AMAZING. "AVENUE Q" is funny, poignant, artful, with a great story, great music, and great actors and puppets. What a great night out in North Hollywood! What are you waiting for?

sweet - Cathy Wayne - NoHo Arts District - ...read full review


As for “standout” performances I’d have to say pretty much everyone on stage. Courtney Bruce is spectacular as of all people Gary Coleman. Troy Whitaker as Trekkie Monster is also spectacular; but again the entire cast performed at peak making this show fully entertaining and unbelievably fun in ways I frankly just wasn’t expecting but was very happy to enjoy.

sweet - Ron Irwin - LA Post Examiner - ...read full review


The singing and puppetry are top notch and rip a hole in the heart the size of the sun.

In the end, if it is music and songs you have come to this theatre for, you have arrived at exactly the correct destination.

sweet - Radomir Luza - At the Theatre With Radomir - ...read full review


For a night of silly songs, Avenue Q is the place to be.

sweet - Julia Stier - Stage Raw - ...read full review


It all comes about through humor and noteworthy lyrics.  The cast brings it all to life under the astute direction by Patrick Burke.

sweet - Carol Kaufman Segal - Carol's Culture Corner - ...read full review


Great show and fab production with Patrick Burke at the helm and Michele Bernath choreographing. Should be a great big hit for the Group Rep.

sweet - Don Grigware - Broadway World - ...read full review


Like the pre-school tots, even adults may learn something from AVENUE Q. And have a great time doing it. AVENUE Q is definitely one of the best productions ever staged by the Group Rep, a not-to-miss, one-of-a-kind show that will entertain, educate, and amaze everybody in the audience.

sweet - Elaine Mura - Splash Magazines - ...read full review


Parents of younger kids are hereby forewarned. Avenue Q gets an R-rating for raunch, so leave preteens at home with the babysitter and some age-appropriate Disney flicks. Also, anyone offended by the F-word and/or puppet sex should probably opt for the nearest Rodgers And Hammerstein musical. Everyone else may feel free to head over to North Hollywood where The Group Rep is offering adult audiences musical comedy entertainment with equal parts edge and heart, aka Avenue Q.

sweet - Steven Stanley - StageSceneLA - ...read full review


Director Patrick Burke blends eye-catching production design with subtle underplaying to pointedly comment on life.

Full of relatable moments and infectious humor, Avenue Q is raunchy, rollicking entertainment for the more mature at heart.

sweet - Mary Mallory - Tolucan Times - ...read full review


Patrick Burke has given us a fantastic musical filled with great direction, as well as casting the exact right person for each character/puppet. Paul Cady’s musical direction, and Michele Bernath’s choreography enhance this great show.

...this is a MUST SEE. Yes it’s puppets, and yes it’s AMAZING. "AVENUE Q" is funny, poignant, artful, with a great story, great music, and great actors and puppets. What a great night out in North Hollywood! What are you waiting for?

sweet - Cathy Wayne - NoHo Arts District - ...read full review


As for “standout” performances I’d have to say pretty much everyone on stage. Courtney Bruce is spectacular as of all people Gary Coleman. Troy Whitaker as Trekkie Monster is also spectacular; but again the entire cast performed at peak making this show fully entertaining and unbelievably fun in ways I frankly just wasn’t expecting but was very happy to enjoy.

sweet - Ron Irwin - LA Post Examiner - ...read full review


The singing and puppetry are top notch and rip a hole in the heart the size of the sun.

In the end, if it is music and songs you have come to this theatre for, you have arrived at exactly the correct destination.

sweet - Radomir Luza - At the Theatre With Radomir - ...read full review


For a night of silly songs, Avenue Q is the place to be.

sweet - Julia Stier - Stage Raw - ...read full review


It all comes about through humor and noteworthy lyrics.  The cast brings it all to life under the astute direction by Patrick Burke.

sweet - Carol Kaufman Segal - Carol's Culture Corner - ...read full review


Great show and fab production with Patrick Burke at the helm and Michele Bernath choreographing. Should be a great big hit for the Group Rep.

sweet - Don Grigware - Broadway World - ...read full review