The sun was shining, it was a lovely day, a perfect morning for a kid to play, but you had lots of bills to pay. What can you do? You were working really hard, and the pay's real low, and every hour went oh so slow, and at the end of the day, you had nowhere to go but home to Avenue Q. Well on Thursday, you could have come see Darren Bluestone, Sala Iwamatsu, Jason Jacoby, Victoria Kuehn perform hits from their show. While they diddn't teach us what the internet was for, or what to do with a BA in English, they did talk to us about "The More You Luv Someone", " There's a Fine Fine Line" and talked to audiences about how it'd be ok "If You Were Gay." (Basically the more appropriate numbers.) And yes, there were puppets.
I had the opportunity to see this hilarious puppet therapy session/sex party/life evaluation/mood booster/reality bringer/burst your seems laughing/musical of the century. From the time I met them backstage, as well as the time I got to interview them this Thursday, I could tell you, the sense of love and family you see on stage, comes through in the cast. They are just as funny off-stage, and definitely care for one another and those around them. The chemistry comes through to all those present, from age 5 to 498 (rumored to be the number of seats in the theater, I just couldn't resist)
But truly the show and cast come together and bring a true spectacle that no audience member will forget (but I recommend over 13 to see the show because it does indeed have many mature references.) And for those who wonder, Lucy is anatomically correct, just incase the puppets weren't as much of a spectacle as they already are.
While you won't get a "Mixtape" from the cast member that leaves you wondering how they feel, you will probably get a hug from a puppet (person? It's hard to verbalize,) and you will understand the love that they feed to everyone around them.
PRTC: Describe Avenue Q in 1 word.
Darren Buestone (Princeton/Rod): [Long Pause and laughter] Puppets!
Sala Iwamatsu (Christmas Eve): Difficult.
Jason Jacoby (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bear/Others): [Laughter] Hilarious.
Victoria Kuehn (Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut): Mnnnnnnnyyyyaaaaahhhh. True.
Mary Faber (Many Many characters): ahhH! oh god, I don't just want to say fun because that seems lame. Maybe, uh, irreverent. [Laughter]
PRTC: Describe your character(s) in 1 word.
Darren Buestone: For Princeton it would be Innocence and Rod would be closet-ed
Sala Iwamatsu: Fantastic! [Laughter]
Jason Jacoby: Dirty
Victoria Kuehn: Heart and Sass
Mary Faber: Oh god I play a bunch, so I guess I'll say, mad-cap [Laughter]
PRTC: What is your favorite scene to perform?
Darren Buestone: Loud as the hell you want
Sala Iwamatsu: Hmmmm.... It's the therapy scene with Rod
Jason Jacoby: If You Were Gay
Victoria Kuehn: Right now, I really like doing Special in the Café with Lucy
Mary Faber: Right now, If You Were Gay. Changes though.
PRTC: Funniest on-stage moment?
Darren Buestone: Uh, Loud as the hell you want. [More Laughter]
Sala Iwamatsu: It's only when someone messes up of course [Laughter]
Jason Jacoby: I get to point at someone in the audience during The Internet is For Porn and their reaction is always the best.
Victoria Kuehn: The other night there was this earthquake sort of sound cue that was going on for far too long so we sort of had to acknowledge it because the audience obviously knew something was going on, but everybody laughed
Mary Faber: Once, one of the Blue Bear's eyeballs fell off during a scene and it was very difficult not to laugh, in fact I did laugh during that.
PRTC: Favorite moment you've spent with your cast so far?
Darren Buestone: I feel like our tenth anniversary. It felt like another opening of the entire show, so it was cool! We had so many of the original people come back and original creative team come back, and had a great party so it really felt like we had 'opened' the show again.
Sala Iwamatsu: Uhm... Before the show we have a ritual where we all put our hands together and do one of those where you say a word or something like that and it's a bonding moment before we all sing together.
Jason Jacoby: I think the anniversary last year, the 10 year anniversary
Victoria Kuehn: The 10th anniversary last year was pretty special. It was amazing to be part of the show and then all the alumni were coming to visit and so, ya know, it's pretty cool
Mary Faber: I think singing For Now with them because it's such a great song and it's a great moment for us all to connect.
PRTC: What do you think makes this show a hit?
Darren Buestone: It's so remarkably well written that every moment you're like "That's so true! That's absolutely my life!
Sala Iwamatsu: The heart.....and the puppets.
Jason Jacoby: It's relevant, and accesible and really really well written and unbelievably funny.
Victoria Kuehn: The amount of heart that matches the humor. Obviously it's very funny, but every subject they're talking about is so true and heartfelt that everyone can relate to it.
Mary Faber: I think it's not just a dirty, funny puppet show, it actually has great heart, and all the songs and lessons you learn from it actually apply to everyone, so I think it's really a brilliantly written show.
PRTC: What is your favorite scene in the show?
Darren Buestone: For Now. I think that's the most poignant and it really ties the whole show together and it's my favorite one to do. I think that audiences, after seeing hysterical puppets for 2 hours,they're all of a sudden like "Oh wow, this has heart."
Sala Iwamatsu: It's one I'm not in, it's Purpose.
Jason Jacoby: I must say If you Were Gay, the first scene I did with Nikky and Rod.
Victoria Kuehn: I always cry at For Now. I love For Now. It's definitely tiring because it's the final song in the show but it really hits home for us.
Mary Faber: I think Purpose.
Again I hope to get to see you all TOMORROW at Broadway In Bryant Park!
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