Coolum Theatre Players take a trip to the wild side with their latest production.
Avenue Q is a musical comedy featuring puppets and human actors with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty.
It’s described by publicist Julia Loaney as “a delightfully offensive” show, directed by Coolum’s Jesse Hanna Ellison whose last highly successful musical production was Xanadu last year.
Avenue Q has been praised for its approach in tackling significant issues in today’s society – including racism, homophobia and internet porn. But it does contain coarse language and adult themes.
The puppet-filled comedy follows a group of 20-somethings seeking their purpose in a big-city life.
This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.
He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighbourhood.
Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.
Avenue Q has certainly been challenging, Julia Loaney said, working with a “puppeted” cast, costume changes for the puppets, the building of a large stage set, and rehearsing within the confines of a Civic Centre where the set has to be erected and taken down in between rehearsals so the venue can be used by other organisations.
But, says Julia, “The show must go on.”
July performance dates are Friday 22, Saturday 23, Friday 29, Saturday 30 at 7.30pm and Sunday 24 and 31 at 2pm. Ticket prices include programme. Members $25; Concession $28; Adults $30. Venue: Coolum Civic Centre, Park Street, Coolum.
Tables seat eight, BYO nibbles and drinks. Bookings coolumtheatre.com.au or 5446 2500 or visit North Shore Realty, David Low Way, Coolum.
