Wednesday, July 23, 2008

This isn't Sesame Street





I was lucky enough to go to opening night of Avenue Q at the Blumenthal on Tuesday. I went into it not really knowing what to expect beyond the fact that it was puppets and more than a little R-rated.

If you have a chance to go this week (it runs through Sunday), jump on it. It's a lot of fun and the cast is incredibly talented. And, in between all of the curse words, full puppet nudity, and George Bush and Gary Coleman jokes, there's a nice little message.


After the show, I mingled with the actors, crew and band members during the cast party at Cafe Siena. They said the audience in Charlotte was great -- especially after the lukewarm reception the show got in Greenville, S.C., where the actors said it seemed as though the audience didn't know whether it was allowed to laugh at such raunchy, liberal humor.


I also learned of a tour tradition for the musical's lead actor, Robert McClure, who voices the puppets of Princeton and Rod. He takes photos of his worn-out Converse sneakers with city landmarks (Golden Gate bridge, the Capitol, etc.) as the backdrop. He was looking for suggestions for Charlotte. We told him the Square (Trade and Tryon streets uptown) or Lowe's Motor Speedway, but couldn't think of a defining Queen City landmark beyond that.


What would you have suggested for a Charlotte backdrop?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Federal Courthouse since that is where the Tammy Faye Baker trial was held.

Duke Mansion

Anonymous said...

How about 5:00 traffic on 485 or 77N.

Anonymous said...

Price's Chicken Coop

Anonymous said...

From the patio at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design

Anonymous said...

In front of the Penguin would be a great place for the shoes!

But, I don't plan on going to the show that specializes in "liberal humor." Though I'm very open-minded, this play sounds like it would be open season on Bush, which I've had quite enough of.

Anonymous said...

Waffle House

Anonymous said...

Being held by a guy on a road crew who is just standing around not doing any work.

Anonymous said...

A group of loud Yankees.

Anonymous said...

B of A Stadium

Anonymous said...

the queen statue at the airport

Anonymous said...

Hmm - that question very well captures much of my dissatisfaction with living here. Not that I need a landmark to validate my existence, but it would be nice of there was much culture, (architecture), scenery, etc. or anything else in Charlotte besides sprawling arterials like Central, South, Tryon and Independence. I would suggest that Charlotte's symbol is the strip mall. Find a nice one.

Anonymous said...

"Hmm - that question very well captures much of my dissatisfaction with living here"

...the go back up north..