Avenue Q @ Singapore

Some of you might think I'm mad, but I drove down to Singapore and back on the same day, just to catch this show. But you see, I was in London the year it premiered in West End (2006) but didn't have time to catch it so I am not about to pass up this opportunity! Prior to seeing it, I was beginning to think of myself as mad too, but I am glad to say that I do not regret doing it at all!

Avenue Q is currently still in the midst of its run at the Esplanade Theatre, Singapore which ends on this Sunday, the 16th of November (which happens to be a special day for me!). It was first performed on Broadway in July 2003 after a successful run off-Broadway in the same year. The musical also won six Tony awards in 2004 besides other awards. For a more detailed list, do pay its Wiki page a visit.

The musical is like a satirical comedy with music, and because of the subject matters, I feel that the creators were geniuses to use muppets (that are loosely based on several characters from Sesame Street) as it just wouldn't disgust people as much as it would if humans were to have been playing those same characters.

The song that has become a huge hit on YouTube after the release of recordings from the musical - The Internet Is For Porn - is also my favourite, mainly because its cheeky (some say, just like me). Actually, nearly all the songs has a cheeky element in it even if it is not the main element. *grins*

I also liked that the creators explored many areas that are of concern to our world, including acceptance of homosexuals, multicultural and multi ethnic societies. They also explored minorities rights and how they are treated by others (monsters, in this case) just because they are different from everyone else.

There are also songs about how people just are today, being schadenfreude - taking joy in other people's pains - do you not admit that you too, have done it before? Wishing that one could go back to college... I particularly identify with this because I too, wish I could go back to Uni! A sentiment and thought echoed by many friends.

Would I see it again? Definitely!

Note: This show is highly recommended but only if you have a sense of humour. ;-)