AVENUE QMusic & Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

Vineyard Theatre (off-Broadway) March 2003, (72 perfs)

Winner of the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical, as well asa nomination for the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Off-Broadway Musicalaward.

John Golden Theatre, New York - previews July 11th, 2003, with a July 31, 2003 opening.

 

SYNOPSIS

ACT 1At the opening we meet Princeton, in a graduation cap and gown, who wonders what he is now going to do after graduation.

On a dilapidated street in an outer-outer borough of the city, Brian and Kate Monster both agree that life is not treating them fairly. He is unemployed; she is single. Joining in the chorus are embattled room-mates, Nicky and Rod; Brian'sJapanese fiancée, Christmas Eve; and finally Gary Coleman  yes, that Gary Coleman  who's the neighbourhood's superintendant. He helps new arrival Princeton get an apartment.

Nicky swears he'd stand by Rod though Rod protests he's not gay. Meanwhile, Princeton decides to find his role in life. He runs into Kate Monster, who declaresthat her purpose is to open a school devoted to Monsters. Princeton makes a racist statement about Monsters, and he and Kate explore the notion that everyone'sa little bit racist.

At her teaching job, Kate is assigned an important lesson. She decides to teachthe kids about the Internet, but neighbour Trekkie Monster upstages her by insisting that the internet is for porn!

Princeton asks Kate for a date that night. They go to a club, where Brian warmsup the crowd. Chanteuse, Lucy The Slut, then sings that she can make anyone feel special. The trouble-making Bad Idea Bears get Kate and Princeton drunk and send them home, where they "get it on" noisily.

Meanwhile, a sleeping Rod dreams that Nicky is in love with him; in real life, Kate expresses her fondness for Princeton and he gives her a lucky penny.

Brian and Christmas Eve get married. At the reception, Nicky suggests that Rod is gay. Rod overhears and defensively brags about his girlfriend in Canada. He kicks Nicky out of the apartment. Princeton realises he's forgotten his purpose in life, and he breaks up with Kate, who recognises the fine line between love and a waste of time.

ACT 2

A few weeks later, Princeton is in a funk. In the city, Princeton hooks up withLucy. Kate Monster sees them together and gets upset, so Christmas Eve helpfully explains the hatred that arises. Kate writes Princeton a note asking him to meet her on top of the Empire State building. Lucy reads the note and destroys it.

Meanwhile, Nicky has no place to live, and asks Gary for help. Gary explains the

 

 concept of taking pleasure in other people's pain.

Kate waits in vain for Princeton atop the Empire State Building. She throws hislucky penny off the side, and it lands in Lucy's skull 102 stories below. Princeton, Nicky, and Kate all remember a simpler time.

Meeting homeless Nicky on the street, Princeton decides to help Kate open her Monster school, and they enlist others to help raise money. Falling very short, they turn to Trekkie Monster, who saves the day. A thrilled Kate gets her school.Rod appears and comes triumphantly out of the closet. He asks Nicky to move back in, and in return Nicky brings out someone who looks just like himself: a boyfriend he found for Rod! Meanwhile Kate, touched by Princeton's generous action, agrees to try a relationship again.

A newcomer to the street makes Princeton finally realiSe his purpose: to put ona show about struggling through your twenties! Everyone agrees that it's a bad idea. Seeing his sadness and frustration, his friends console him, teaching him that everything in life, good and bad, is only for now.

 Musical NumbersThe Avenue Q Theme - Company

What Do You Do with a B.A. in English? - Princeton

It Sucks To Be Me - Brian, Kate Monster, Princeton, Nicky, Christmas Eve, Gary Coleman, Mrs T.

If You Were Gay - Nicky with Princeton

Purpose - Princeton & Company

Everyone's A Little Bit Racist - Princeton, Kate Monster, Gary Coleman, Brian, Christmas Eve

The Internet Is For Porn - Kate Monster, Nicky & the Guys

Mix Tape - Kate Monster, Princeton

I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today - Brian with Christmas Eve

Special - Lucy the Slut with the Guys

You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love) - Gary Coleman, Nicky, Mrs T. & Ensemble with Kate Monster, Princeton, Brian, Christmas Eve

Fantasies Come True - Rod, Lucy with Nicky

My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada - Rod

There's a Fine, Fine Line - Kate Monster

There Is Life Outside Your Apartment - Brian; Princeton & Company

The More You Ruv Someone - Christmas Eve, Kate Monster

Schadenfreude - Gary Coleman, Nicky

I Wish I Could Go Back to College - Kate Monster, Nicky, Princeton

 

The Money Song - Nicky, Princeton, Gary Coleman with Brian, Christmas Eve, Mrs T.

School for Monsters - Trekkie Monsters

The Money Song Reprise - Nicky & Company

There's A Fine, Fine Line (Reprise) - Princeton, Kate with Christmas Eve

What Do You Do With A B.A. In English? (Reprise) Nicky with Gary Coleman, Princeton, Kate Monster, Brian & Mrs T.

For Now - Kate Monster, Brian, Gary Coleman, Christmas Eve, Nicky, Princeton, Mrs T.

ORIGINAL CAST (in order of appearance)Princeton, a fresh-faced kid just out of college - JOHN TARTAGLIABrian, a laid-back guy engaged to Christmas Eve - JORDAN GELBERKate Monster, a kindergarten teaching assistant - STEPHANIE D'ABRUZZORod, a Republican investment banker with a secret - JOHN TARTAGLIANicky, a bit of a slacker, who lives with Rod - RICK LYONChristmas Eve, a therapist who moved here from Japan - ANN HARADAGary Coleman, Yes, that Gary Coleman, superintendent - NATALIE VENETIA BELCONBad Idea Bear #1, snuggly, cute teddy-bear type - RICK LYONBad Idea Bear #2, snuggly, cute teddy-bear type - JENNIFER BARNHARTTrekkie Monster, a reclusive creature obsessed with the Internet - RICK LYONLucy, a vixenish vamp with a dangerous edge - STEPHANIE D'ABRUZZOMrs. T, Kate's ancient boss - JENNIFER BARNHARTNewcomer, a fresh-faced kid just out of college - RICK LYONEnsemble JODI EICHELBERGER, PETER LINZ

 

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