Performers and puppets will welcome a full house of people to the Palace Theater for its upcoming show, “Avenue Q.“
When the omicron variant derailed rehearsals for the musical, “The Producers,” which featured a cast of 50, the theater decided to pursue the smaller show of “Avenue Q.”
“Due to quickly changing COVID restrictions, we were forced to quickly pivot our plans and switch to a small show with a cast of under ten,” said Phillips Payson, executive director of the Palace. “Our first idea was the uproarious ‘Avenue Q,’ which features eight quadruple threats: singers, dancers, actors and puppeteers.”
The comedic and sometimes raunchy show conveys life’s tough lessons through the trials and tribulations of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, who is anxious to discover his purpose in life. But first, he must find an apartment, a girlfriend and a job.
Charles Bankhead Haines plays the role of Princeton as he tries to navigate life with help from his neighbors on “Avenue Q.”
“Our goal for doing this almost ridiculous show was to see if we could do more obscure comedy, and it has been so much fun,” Bankhead Haines said. “It’s a very different, irreverent show. We like to say its ‘South Park’ meets ‘Sesame Street.’ I think a lot of people will have a good time with it.”
Jennie Kaneshiro is excited to play one of her favorite characters, Christmas Eve, in the show and has enjoyed learning how to act and react to the puppets.
“It’s so different to talk to and react to a puppet. It’s an interesting shift, but it’s so fun to see people give them life,” Kaneshiro said. “This is a show I loved when it first came out, so I’m really happy to be part of it. It’s always fun doing something I’ve never done before.”
The fresh and funny take on the joys and challenges of making it on your own strikes a chord with audiences young and old. However, due to strong language, mature themes and adult situations, like full-frontal-puppet nudity, “Avenue Q” may be inappropriate for children.
“Avenue Q” will be the first time in 42 months that the Palace will be allowed to seat a full house.
In 2018, operational capacity was reduced while maintenance and upgrades were made to the overhead sprinkler system. Then in 2020, the theater had to limit seating due to COVID-19.
“Now, the fire safety system is upgraded, and COVID capacity restrictions have been lifted, so this is a really big deal, and we sincerely hope Hilo comes out to support the incredibly talented cast,” Payson said. “Nothing would be greater for those performers than to see a sold out house when the curtain goes up.”
“Avenue Q” is directed by Larry Reitzer and features musical direction by Bankhead Haines, choreography by Aleah Kay, and scenic and lighting design by Jeramy Boik.
“Avenue Q” will run for three weekends beginning Friday, with show times starting at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays until closing on April 3.
Tickets are available at hilopalace.com or in person at the Palace box office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com