Review: 'Avenue Q'

It would be hard to imagine anyone not liking "Avenue Q."  There are a few possible excuses, but here's why those don't fly.

You don't like musicals. Well, neither do I, usually. But the Broadway phenomenon, which began its short run (through June 7) at the Cadillac Palace Theatre Wednesday, isn't overly flashy or in your face or intent on singing every plot detail and emotion. In chronicling life lessons learned by New York puppets, their neighbors, and their super Gary Coleman (no, not actually played by Gary Coleman), "Avenue Q" addresses both complex social issues (the tune "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist") and basic human truths (the search for purpose) that speak to even the most musical-phobic viewers. The songs may stick around in your brain, but at least they'll have company from a widely accessible story that finds the humor in finding your way.

You don't like puppets. For starters, who doesn't like puppets? Plus, this isn't a puppet show. The actors are on stage, holding up the puppets, making no effort to pretend that it's really the puppets singing. But the cast does a tremendous job of creating feelings and personalities for the puppets, both by manipulating the dolls' mouths and arms and by adjusting their own expressions. Besides, even if you aren't a fan of, say, the Muppets, who's going to turn down a chance to see such a believable depiction of puppets getting drunk?

You think there's nothing profound to learn from a comedy born on Broadway. OK, "Avenue Q" isn't trying to shake up your perspective or bring on any major epiphanies. But who hasn't sometimes felt like their life sucks? (The play opens with characters trying to one-up each other's misery in a competition that's straight out of "Jaws.") Or that it's harder to make the smart decision than to listen to our vices? (The characters are plagued by "Bad Idea Bears" who get sad if their victims don't give into potentially regrettable temptations.) Or that, whether you're fresh out of college or still trying to solidify a career 10 years later, the more you learn the less you know?

Um, I really can't think of any other reasons. "Avenue Q" isn't perfect; the second half can't quite sustain the first half's energy, and the whole thing ends a little abruptly. But it's very funny and, even on the Chicago production's opening night, reminds you of the joy of watching an original, spunky  musical that respects its audience's intelligence ... and dares to discuss adult topics with kids' toys. No, it's not "Sesame Street" meets "Crank Yankers." It's just a guaranteed fun night of live entertainment.