Michael Lee's Train of Thought

I went to see the touring production of Avenue Q tonight here in Minneapolis. I've had the soundtrack for a while, and have hoped to see the show for a long time.

I was familiar with the soundtrack -- and as someone who grew up with Sesame Street that sort of style is very much ingrained in my brain, but it was interesting to see an actual production.

And this is something that's really most appropriate for a live production -- a filmed version would be tempted to hide the actors, and you'd lose half of the acting there. It's a great example of something that is done well as a live production, and would be something completely different in a filmed version.

They'll only be in Minneapolis for a few more days, but the tour is going to continue around the country for most of the year -- and is definitely worth seeing.

Labels: muppets, music, theater

We're coming to the end of 2006, and the Scrimshaw Brothers productions are mutating again. I've been a regular at their shows for several years, and have already made plans to go to the New Years Eve show -- and if previous experience is any indication, it'll certainly sell out.

One of the exciting things to see is that Joe's show Adventures in Mating is being produced in several locations around the world. It's being relaunched as a weekly production here in Minneapolis, but is also being produced in New York City and the United Kingdom. So if you find yourself in one of those locations...you have the chance to see it.

The show is interactive -- much like the Choose Your Own Adventure books of your youth. And as such is really never the same show twice. It could be sweet romantic tale or a cynical disaster -- and you know that really, there are times where either path could be the right one.

I'm looking forward to a chance to see it again.

Labels: comedy, minnesota, scrimshaw, theater