Slut puppets

Puppets gone wild. And just in time for spring break! Sacramento welcomes Avenue Q—the adult version of Sesame Street, brought to you by the letters “X” and “S.” “X” for X-tremely entertaining and mildly X-rated. And “S” for S-lightly S-candalous subject matter that includes swear words, sock-puppet sex, same-sex longings and self-titled slut muppets. Plus, adult-themed sweet and spicy songs with such titles as “It Sucks to Be Me,” “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “The Internet Is for Porn,” and “What Do You Do With a B.A. in English?”

The last song is an indication on how unfortunately timely this 2003 smash-hit Broadway puppet show has become again. Avenue Q is the down-and-out Sesame Street, where unemployment has hit, marginal members of society hang out and where every day is a struggle. But before we get all Debbie Downer, there is a spirit and camaraderie that makes you want to live among these assorted furry, fuzzy friends.

Though much edgier than its PBS counterpart, Avenue Q comes across as a tribute to the Jim Henson empire—in fact, some of the show’s originators came from working on Sesame Street. So there are similarities—human characters that interact with the puppets including a Bert and Ernie duo named Rod and Nicky, and the Cookie Monster-inspired Trekkie Monster. The slight difference is that you can see the puppeteers, who walk around while operating their characters, which makes it fun to watch them and their fuzzy charges.

And of course, the other difference is that it’s mostly about 20- and 30-year-olds dealing with subject matters that include financial problems, loneliness, homosexuality, racism, pornography and sex. But they do it in a most entertaining way. Though if you haven’t figured it out by now, this show is not appropriate for the young or overly sensitive and easily shocked. But for the rest of us, Avenue Q is sure a fun way of “sweepin’ the—clouds aw-ay.”