Avenue Q probes adult themes

In less than two weeks the Manjimup Repertory Club will put on a musical that is different to anything it has done before.

Avenue Q is an MA 15+ Broadway musical that uses puppets reminiscent of Sesame Street.

Despite looking cute and cuddly, this show is not for little children, according to co-director Gareth Evans.

“This is something different that Manjimup has never seen before,” he said.

“Once the initial shock of the characters is over, you will fall in love with them.”

Evans plays both the main protagonist Princeton — a puppet who has recently graduated from college — and Rod, another puppet who has conservative values and is struggling with his sexual identity.

Rod’s best friend is the laid-back Nicky, played by Baily Longbottom.

Other humans, puppets and monsters the audience meets along the way are Kate Monster, played by Elle Yovkoff; Trekkie, played by Jamie Yovkoff; and Lucy the Lounge Singer, played by Tari Jeffers.

In addition to puppet characters, there are also human characters including Brian, played by Chris Yovkoff; Christmas Eve, played by Tess Cohen; and Gary Coleman, played by Rajiv Pragash.

Songs in the show include Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist, If You Were Gay and Schadenfreude.

Mr Evans said people would like the songs.

“They can be shocking, but they can be relatable,” he said.

Avenue Q will run from 7.30pm on August 30, 31, September 6 and 7, and 2pm on September 1 and 8.

Tickets are at trybooking.com/becyk or at the Manjimup library and cost $20 adults and $18 con-cession.