Originally published for The Aimless & Andy Show, May 22, 2011.

It doesn't suck to be anyone who has seen Avenue Q.

Since its debut in 2003, Avenue Q has brought laughter into the hearts of those who are brave enough to see the musical production. The production has won three Tony Awards, including the best musical award in 2003.

On Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 I had the opportunity to review Avenue Q at New York City's famed New World Stages. Though I went into the production expecting some laughs, I had no idea what the level of comedy of Avenue Q would bring to the stage. After watching the two-hour production, I can tell you I was honestly blown away by how much I actually laughed.

Avenue Q is an essential play to see for any twenty-something who has wondered what exactly to do with their life.  This holds especially true for any recent college graduate.

The show is based on a street called Avenue Q, a lower-income street in the hustling bustling city of New York.

The players, Princeton (A recent college graduate), Kate Monster (A kindergarten teaching assistant), Rod (A stiff banker) and his lazy room-mate Nicky, Brian (A recently un-employed comedian) and his Asian girlfriend Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster (A perverted next-door neighbor) and childhood star Garry Coleman who is a superintendent in the building the characters live in.

Immediately upon the start of the show, I felt as if I had walked into a continuation of an episode of Sesame Street, except this time all of the characters had grown up and been faced with real-life adult situations.

The staff at Avenue Q have gone out of their way to crush any association with the Jim Henson production by including the following statement in their Playbill program:

"Avenue Q has not been authorized or approved in any manner by The Jim Henson Company or Sesame Workshop, which have no responsibility for its content".

Though the production itself bears a lot of similarities to Sesame Street (including very convincing puppets), the storyline would dare not be included in the original television production.

Think X-Rated Sesame Street.

The opening act introduces us to Princeton who has just found his way into an apartment block on Avenue Q who finds himself asking the age-old question "What do you do with a B.A. In English".

Like any other college graduate, Princeton is unsure of his place in the world but remains committed to making a difference in the human race.

After taking a vacant suite in the apartment block Princeton is introduced to the rest of the cast and gets into a comedic debate over whose life sucks more. Ultimately, it was decided that all of the characters (and audiences’) life sucked equally.

Moments later, Nicky attempts to discuss the subject of homosexuality with his anal-retentive roommate Rod, who very defensively states he wants nothing to do with the conversation. Nicky politely attempts to call Rod out of the closet and encourages him to let loose. As his best friend and roommate, Nicky explains that If Rod Was Gay, It would Be Okay and expresses his support on the subject. Rod once again attempts to change the subject and denies any of Nicky's allegations leading the audience to believe he is in denial.

The audience was brought back to Princeton, who after kicking himself earlier in the show is determined to find his Purpose in life. After finding a lucky penny from the year he was born, he is motivated to find his purpose and has a feeling "something is coming, something good".

Feeling better about himself, Princeton runs into the girl next door Kate Monster who has developed a crush on the new kid on the block. While attempting to learn more about Kate Monster, Princeton starts to ask about Kate's family background: He asks if she and Trekkie Monster were related, which causes Kate to take a step back and express her concern. She explains to Princeton that it was very presumptions of him to ask him such a sensitive question and also feels it was a bit racist.

Princeton attempts to defend himself and educates Kate that “everyone's a little bit racist”.

To be quite honest, this was the song that originally sold me on attending Avenue Q out of the multitude of Broadway productions that New York City has to offer.

This single song is very comedic but also honest and blatantly true. It reaches out to various races and educates its audiences that deep down everyone really is racist, as the title suggests.

"Perhaps it's a fact we all should face.

Ethnic jokes, may be uncouth, but you laugh because they are based on truth. Don't take them as personal attacks, everyone enjoys them so relax.

If we all could just admit that we are racist a little bit, even though we all know that it's wrong, maybe it would help us get along."

The story continues with the characters finding themselves in a variety of real-life situations including a near X-rated love scene (which had me in tears laughing) and a brief discussion on the true purpose of the Internet.

The storyline is appropriate for those 16 and up and seems like it was designed to have the audience go back to a near child-like state before judgments and stereotypes were known to them.

The production continues to be successful at the New World Stages with seat sales generally selling out on a daily basis.

Next time you are in New York City, I highly suggest you stop by Avenue Q as it is an Off-Broadway play that is not to be missed.

More information about Avenue Q may be found online at avenueq.com.