The Tony-award winning musical "Avenue Q" satirizes children's television programs, like "Sesame Street." But it echoes the life lessons with a subversive twist. "Avenue Q" has its Midwest premiere at the Jewish Community Center.
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The mission of the Jewish Community Center is this: "To serve people of all ages in an environment of Jewish values and Jewish traditions." So, what does that have to do with "Avenue Q" - an R-rated musical with full-puppet nudity?
"In terms of it being like 'Fiddler on the Roof', no, it's not," says Mark Swezey, Director of Theatre at the Jewish Community Center. At least once a year, Swezey says he likes to add a show to the mix that's a little edgier. When "Avenue Q" became available to community theaters, he jumped at the opportunity.
"It's really about the generation of people that grew up with 'Electric Company' and 'Sesame Street,'" says Swezey. "They were all told that we're very special and as we grow older, we find out that everyone is very special. And things don't come to us as easily as perhaps we were led to believe that they would."
"Avenue Q"
November 5, 10, 12, 17, 19 at 7:30pm
November 6, 13, 20 at 2:00pm
Rated R-Adult Content
Lewis and Shirley White Theatre
Jewish Community Center
5801 W. 115th Street
Overland Park, Kan.
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