(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_Q)

You’d be hardpressed to find a musical fan who doesn’t like or at least appreciate Avenue Q.  With swearing puppets, self-deprecating humor, and an unapologetic examination at the struggles of life, what’s not to love? As one YouTube comment puts it, it’s like if Sesame Street and The Book of Mormon had a child.

The show made both its Off-Broadway and Broadway debut in 2003 and has since then become the 24th longest-running show on Broadway. Avenue Q also won several Tony’s, most notably Best Musical and Best Original Score. Moreover, it received critical acclaim due to its nuanced approach to offensive humor. Works of media are susceptible to harsh criticism when they single out minority groups, pigeon-holing them into lifeless characters that only provide comic relief, but Avenue Q avoids this by making fun of everyone.

Additionally, the topic of race is examined through the song “Everybody’s a Little Bit Racist” when Princeton, a puppet who just moved onto Avenue Q, asks Kate, a puppet who’s a monster, if she’s related to another monster that lives on the street. This is, of course, is alluding to the presumption or stereotype that all people of color within a vicinity or social circle are somehow related or know each other. The song acknowledges that racism is a part of society, and not just exclusive to white people. Each character, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or species, is racist in some way, and they all bond over it.

The topic of being gay is also explored through the storyline of Nicky and Rod, two puppets who are roommates. Nicky, who is straight, sings “If You Were Gay” to Rod to show acceptance of his best friend, even though Rod has not fully come out to himself or others yet. Later on, Nicky outs Rod, leading Rod to kick him out of the apartment. They eventually repair their friendship when Rod accepts himself and forgives Nicky for the damage he did earlier.

Overall, Avenue Q is a light-hearted comedy that approaches many social issues in a ground-breaking and unconventional way. It’s filled with hilarious songs that are highly quotable, so it’s the perfect musical if you want to both laugh and engage in something intellectually stimulating at the same time.