Punta Gorda

8 Let’s Go! E/N/C/V March 14-20, 2012Venice Theatre presents its version of ‘Avenue Q’BY KIM COOLFEATURES EDITORJust in time for tax season is “Avenue Q” thesmash musical about an eclectic group ofpeople in a special New York City neighborhood.This is a musical featuring Muppet-like charactersbut strictly for adults, mostly for subjectmatter. It will play Thursday through April 15 inthe Pinkerton Theatre at Venice Theatre. Thebook was written by Jeff Whitty with music andlyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.Last year, starring Steve Dawson in the leadrole of Princeton, “Avenue Q” earned rave reviewsfor its extended run at Sarasota’s Golden AppleDinner Theatre.Dawson even had a hand in the puppets, literallymaking them (with David Walker) as well asoperating the one of Princeton, the musicals’ leadcharacter.Princeton, armed with his BA in English, isready to take on the world. Instead of being offereda six-figure job he ends up living on AvenueQ with a likeable group of unlikely neighbors —many of whom are also Muppet-like characters.It is the interplay of people and puppets as muchas the diversity of characters and Princeton’soptimism that makes the show a winner from thefirst note to the last. It was extended at least twiceat the Apple.Dawson also will do the show at Venice butthis time as its director. Kyle Luckett who hasproven himself capable of handling most anyrole that rolls his way, will portray Princeton.The motley crew of neighbors include Brian(Kelly Leissler), Christmas Eve (Kako Kitano);Gary Coleman (Lauren Kelly) the landlord;Kate Monster and Lucy (Caitlin Longstreet);Trekkie Monster (William Murphy) is excited tomeet Lucy (Caitlyn Longstreet) in “Avenue Q” atthe Venice Theatre.Mrs. T. Nicky Hand, Trekkie Hand, Ricky (body)and Bad Idea Bear (Rebecca Phippard); Nicky,Trekkie Monster, Bad Idea Bear, Newcomer, thevoice of Ricky (William Murphy) and backstagepuppeteers (Liz Pascoe and Lisa Figueroa).Consider that Coleman the landlord resemblesthe late TV star of the same name. Others in theneighborhood include a kindergarten teacher,a therapist without clients, a monster with anaddiction, an out-of-work stand-up comic and aRepublican investment banker.The songs include “It Sucks to Be Me,” “Everyone’sa Little Bit Racist,” and “The Internet is forPorn.” The song titles alone show why this showis for adults and not children, even if it does haveMuppet-like puppets on stage. That said, eventhose adults who usually do not care for adultthemed.R-rated shows are likely to find this showto be clever and the characters downright likeable(well, most of them anyway).In addition to Dawson, the creative teamincludes Jason Brenner as musical director, SueBrenner as stage director, John Andzulis as lightingand tech director, Donna Buckhalter as setdesigner, Jonathan Hall costume designer andDorian Boyd as sound designer.PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE VENCIE THEATREKelly Leissler as Brian, William Murphy as Nicky and Kako Kitano as Christmas Eve in VeniceTheatre’s production of “Avenue Q.”“Avenue Q” plays in the Pinkerton Theatre,home of Stage II productions at 8 p.m. Tuesdaythrough Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.Tickets are $12-$15 for students and $24-$27 foradults. Order online at www.venicestage.com orcall the box office at 941-488-1115.The Venice Theatre is at 140 Tampa Ave. W.,Venice.The show is not recommended for children.Flacida ,s 2f. ' 'Ap "MA (H ll&li I MNW .w r + 1 !.o .? _{ -1 1 . ive sat&sun , if Y :r { sr .-!7 Q9 n .Live satI 2,;W:30un` I 4IAt thi she,. j r 9ps 13000 F sherv RdCARJ 813 LA N so Utesa t urant Gioupsa c aPlacida 33946 Information 941-697-2451Project Graduationree e ry Parking $3,442307