Review: 'Avenue Q' at Sacred Heart University

“I wish I could go back to college, life was so simple back then.
What would I give, to go back and live, in a dorm with a meal plan again?” - Avenue Q

Fairfield, CT - Sacred Heart University Theatre Arts Program and SHU Dining teamed up to present the SHU REP production of ‘Avenue Q’ as the first offering in their three-part summer theatre series. While some may be surprised that the second largest Catholic university in New England would produce the naughty long-running Broadway and Off-Broadway hit, I knew that this program would be up for the challenge of telling the tale what the character Princeton does with a “BA in English” while making us laugh out loud.

It was my third production of ‘Avenue Q’ with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez, based upon an original concept by the two and the book written by Jeff Whitty, so I knew what to expect. I had not realized that the show was originally conceived as a tv series and that it was developed as a stage production at the 2002 National Music Theatre Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford CT. The SHU production ordered the official puppets from New York and the college students mastered the art of unconcealed puppeteering while acting.

Jerry Goehring, a Tony and Grammy nominated producer who is the theatre program director at SHU, directed the talented group of students and graduates in this wonderful production. Leo Carusone, assistant director of theatre at SHU and an excellent pianist, served as musical director. His credits include shows on Broadway and National Tours and all the vocal and musical arrangements for the newer ‘Nunsense’ productions and he does everything he can to make his singers sound professional. Patrick Robinson was the assistant director and Production Stage Manager Christine Seppala and her assistant Andrew Peloquin were in charge of managing the moves backstage and presumably puppet wrangling. Olivia Druckrey choreographed her final show for the theatre arts program at SHU.

The human members of the cast included grad student Dan Murphy as Brian and senior Stachakay Silvera as the former child star Gary Coleman. Jordan Norkus, a SHU senior studying Media Studies and Theatre Arts, did well as the decidedly non-pc Christmas Eve and rocked the light-up wedding gown.

Puppeteers/actors made up the rest of the cast and all did very well with acting, singing and dancing with their fuzzy alter egos. 2017 SHU graduate Gwen Mileti quick changed from Girl Bad Idea Bear and Mrs. T, to being the right hand for Trekki Monster and Nicky, to being puppeteer for Ricky, Lucy and Kate. Kudos to this young actress for keeping up beautifully. SHU sophomore Justin Weigel was hysterical when sounding like Jim Henson as Nicky, sounding naughty as Trekkie Monster, and planting bad ideas as the blue Boy Bad Idea Bear. I have seen this Theatre Arts major in ‘Working,’ ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ and ‘The Tempest’ at SHU and it was exciting to see him show off his comedic chops. SHU sophomore Courtney O’Shea brought out the innocence of Kate Monster and toned down the character of Lucy just a bit.

Princeton and Rod were both played by the marvelous actor/puppeteer John Tartaglia in the original Broadway production. Eddie Feeley writes that he was born to be in this show and did well as Rod the (rod) puppet. This actor will appear as Malcolm in the upcoming ‘Macbeth’ without a puppet of course. SHU favorite Zachary Lane, a Criminal Justice and Theatre major, of course was outstanding as Princeton, proving that he can do just about anything on stage.
‘Avenue Q’ was presented in SHU’s black box theatre that was originally the university’s chapel. The acting company is credited with the design of the compact but very impressive set. Because of the intimacy of the space, the actors had difficulty climbing to the upper windows without being heard, but nothing about the stage looked squashed into the space. The team was also in charge of the clever costumes, hair and makeup and props. The lighting design was up to the usual high standards of this charming space, with “Purpose” especially beautiful. Some cute videos brought in a ‘Sesame Street’ vibe.

Up next at SHU Summer Theatre will be a condensed version of ‘Macbeth’ under the stars in the university amphitheatre July 22-23 and July 29-30 at 6:00pm and admission is free. Bring along a blanket and picnic basket.

Photo courtesy of SHU Theatre

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 reviews each year. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch site(s) closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417