Review: Avenue Q at Bass Concert Hall

Still, it’s a funny show that picks up steam quickly enough, and does clear the bar of expectation. The plot doesn’t take a whole lot of crazy twists or cover territory we haven’t seen before—new love, fear of commitment, struggles with money, fighting to find life’s purpose—but that’s not a big deal. Beyond the silliness of having these human themes explored by puppets, it’s the lyrics that give the most laughs, as it should be, of course, this being a musical. It Sucks to Be Me, for example, is a great competitive moment at the front end of the show, where the characters debate who has it worse. Instead of “anything you can do, I can do better,” it’s more like “anything you have going wrong, I have more going wrong.” Other standout tunes include Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, The Internet is for Porn, The More You Ruv Someone, and My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada. That last one is especially hysterical, as puppet Rod struggles to deny his love of men to his disbelieving neighbors.

The Bad Idea Bears, representing those “I dare you to do it,” voices in the characters’ heads, are another great touch, adorable teddies egging on Princeton and Kate to let go of more noble goals in the interest of getting wasted and getting it on. Anyone who grew up watching Sesame Street, wondering what went on behind Bert and Ernie’s closed doors or if any of the muppets ever had a bad day, will surely get a kick out of this Cynical Lite production.