Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Avenue Q Settles Into West End Neighborhood Tonight

Avenue Q Settles Into West End Neighborhood Tonight

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2004, Avenue Q, opens this evening in London's Noël Coward Theatre.

Anyone disappointed by the significant editing done to the Las Vegas production will be happy to know that London audiences will see a version more closely resembling its New York sibling. However, the only original cast member to make the trek across the Atlantic to the West End is Ann Harada as the hilarious Christmas Eve.

While I mostly enjoyed the Broadway production back in the first year of its run at the Golden Theatre, I never thought it was deserving of its Tony win -- I just don't believe it's ultimately going to be that enduring of a show. I also have to admit to walking away perplexed by how mean-spirited I found it. I'm not necessarily a fan of pint-sized Gary Coleman, but I was taken aback by the wicked humor cast in his direction. But apparently, British audiences will only see a character named "Gary."

Will British audiences be queuing up on the avenues of London to see this production after tomorrow's reviews come out? I'll be reporting on what the critics have to say tomorrow.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Click here for tickets to Avenue Q London.
Click here for tickets to Avenue Q New York.
Related Stories:
Broadway's Gamble on Vegas No Sure Bet (June 6, 2006)
Ann Harada to Reprise Avenue Q Role in London (May 8, 2006)

Labels: Avenue Q, London, Musical, Opening Night

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, June 28, 2006