Yes, some of the cast members require an arm shoved up their butts in order to perform — but it's all part of why Broadway's Avenue Q may be unlike any stage play you've ever seen.

Humans share the stage with puppets in this story of Princeton, a college graduate with big dreams who moves to the Big Apple. He takes up residence on Avenue Q — the only neighbourhood in his price range, and that's where he meets a host of colourful characters from the Internet-obsessed Trekkie Monster, therapist Christmas Eve, investment banker Rod, kindergarten teaching assistant Kate and many more.

But Avenue Q is no Sesame Street. While they make look cute and cuddly, the puppets — and humans, for that matter — cover mature and relatable issues like facing the world after college — demonstrated in a song aptly named What Do You Do with a BA in English?; prejudices in Everyone's A Little Bit Racist, and relationships. Ensemble member, Julianna Lee of North Virginia, said many people, particularly students easily relate to the show.


“Searching for a purpose — the show is (about) looking for why am I here? Why am I on this Earth?” she explained. “There are tons of little lessons.”

Lee certainly sees some parallels in her life with the play. She was a freshman, studying musical theatre at James Madison University until this summer when she decided to trek to New York and try some auditioning. She wanted to get used to facing rejection since she decided being a performer was the career she wanted to pursue. But she did not expect that on her second audition — Avenue Q — she would suddenly be on tour with a Broadway play.

Just like how the characters on Avenue Q are very nearly a family, Lee is feeling like part of one herself with the cast.

“We've only been on the road for over a month, (but) I feel like I've known these people for almost a year,” she said. “This is my family right now.”

But what about the non-human cast members? Turns out, they're just as much part of the cast, and very much a part of those cast members who play them.

Even though audience members can clearly see the actors manipulating the puppets as they walk around onstage, it's the puppets' characters that truly stand out, said Lee.

“It's really amazing to see how the actor connects with the puppet. You get involved with the puppet — there is no human,” she explained. “There's no barrier — the puppet is the character.”

So why use the puppets if you can easily see the human controllers? The puppets and their cute faces seem to sweeten some of the mature content of the show, like racism or pornography. When humans talk about some of those areas, it might be construed as “offensive or crude,” explained Lee. But when you put the words in the puppet's mouth — “It gives it a light-hearted experience.”

“It's interesting how they (the puppets) give life to a thought — head movements can change a mood,” she said.

Even with inanimate objects acting as messengers for this hilarious and oddly relevant play, audiences are sure to feel a connection, she added.

“It's a really beautiful show,” she said. “If you can't relate to (it), there's probably something missing.”

Avenue Q will be at the John Labatt Centre on November 28 for a 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. show. Tickets are on sale now at www.johnlabattcentre.com and at the Biz Booth on campus.

Check out the Interrobang's blog for some videos of Avenue Q to get a better idea of this great production.