Avenue Q [PA] (CD - 2003)

Principal cast includes: Jennifer Barnhart, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jordon Gelber, Ann Harada, Rick Lyon, John Tartaglia.

Recorded at Right Track Studio, New York, New York on August 10, 2003.

In the late 1990s, the television show SOUTH PARK sparked a trend of using figures associated with children's entertainment, such as puppets and animated characters, in the service of adult comedy. Depending on your viewpoint, this either generates marvelously clever social critique or cheap, tasteless jokes. Adding to the controversy is AVENUE Q, the smash Broadway hit that reads like a thinly veiled SESAME STREET parody, in which a charming puppet world is subverted by smart, bawdy humor about sexuality, pornography, and racism.

In this production, for example, puppet roommates Rod and Nicky seem to have a particularly close relationship (explored in "If You Were Gay") and other characters wonder "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?" and declare "It Sucks to Be Me" in a rousing medley. The original Broadway cast recording features these songs and more, and it is no wonder AVENUE Q won the Tony for Best Musical given its catchy tunes, witty lyrics, and spirited performances. One listen to the score and you, too, may find yourself singing "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" and "The Internet Is for Porn." minimize