Popular musical is Meramec’s final spring 2018 theater production
Melissa Wilkinson
Editor-in-Chief
Meramec’s spring theater season ends this week with a short run of ‘Avenue Q,’ a unique half musical, half puppet show featuring Jim Henson-style characters. With songs like ‘Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist’, “If You Were Gay”, and “The Internet is for Porn”, ‘Avenue Q’ is the perfect “show-stopper” to cap off the season, according to Director Michelle Rebollo.
“We had almost 50 people audition for roughly 13 roles,” said Rebollo. “The cast is phenomenal. Most of them are not puppetry experts but some of them have lots of experience. We’ve pooled our resources and learned from one another as we’ve gone along.”
Students may relate to Princeton, the protagonist of ‘Avenue Q,’ a 22-year-old recent college graduate struggling to find his purpose in life. Evan Turek, who plays Princeton, called his character a passive protagonist who reacts to the things that happen to him rather than making things happen himself as would a typical musical hero.
“I think you can be anyone in the world and relate to [Princeton],” said Turek. “He’s so optimistic. He just wants to be a good person and do the right thing. It’s very pertinent of what the show is about. You think it’s this raunchy x-rated puppet show but then you realize there’s a lot of heart behind it. There’s a lot of good messages in between the weird things.”
According to Turek, to prepare for their roles, puppet-wielding cast-members were encouraged to practice using their puppets in everyday life in order to become comfortable with them.
“You wouldn’t believe how much work it takes to make this look easy. Any traditional puppeting is done where the actor is hidden,” said Turek. “That’s what’s different about ‘Avenue Q’. We’re on stage and we’re symbiotically part of the relationship. [Princeton] is the character, yes, but I am out with him. We’re the same person.”
Meramec’s theater had options when deciding how to obtain the puppets used in the show. According to Rebollo, the puppets could either be rented or built from kits according to specified instructions. Rebollo went with the former option, renting the puppets from an amateur theater company.
Other cast members of ‘Avenue Q’ include Kate Monster, a kindhearted kindergarten teacher, closeted investment banker Rod, the oblivious but supportive Nicky and child actor Gary Coleman, who is traditionally played by a woman. Kalen Riley, who plays Nicky, said he couldn’t have asked for a more accurate casting. The message of the show, said Riley, is that one can always find somewhere they belong.
“I think that’s been the message of our entire theater season,” said Riley. “Even though they live on a dinky street they’re still getting better every day.”
Ultimately, said Rebollo, ‘Avenue Q’ is about more than a college student’s journey through life.
“We have so much division in our country right now. Many of the things these puppets are singing about have a lot to do with that. Maybe the message comes out in a way where people listen more coming from a puppet than coming from a person,” said Rebollo. “That sounds strange, but we learned through puppets when we were kids.”
‘Avenue Q’ debuted Wednesday, April 18. Repeat performances will be offered every evening at 7:30 p. m. through Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2 p. m. Admission is free of charge. S eating is first come, first served.
