Rock down to Avenue Q at Miners Alley

When we’re young, the art and entertainment we connect to can really take a hold and shape who we are and what we like. Usually, that art remains in our past — something we think of fondly occasionnaly. But every now and then it gets an update that turns it into something else.

at’s the case with “Avenue Q: e Musical,” the new production at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden. e show is an adult modernization of the kind of puppet-driven storytelling that has been a part of growing up for years.

“So many of us have memories of these kinds of stories, but this is more about real life,” said director Warren Sherrill. “ e overall theme

COMING ATTRACTIONS is that no matter how well we prepare ourselves in life, there are going to be curveballs, disappointments and unknowns that mess things up. ings get worse and then better.”

“Avenue Q” runs at Miners from Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. ursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

According to provided information, the musical focuses on Princeton (David Otto), a recent college grad who has moved into a run-down New York City apart-

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com ment on Avenue Q. As he meets neighbors and makes friends (with a cast that includes Ava Francis, Mike Martinkus, Keandra Hunt, Emily Gerhard, Carter Edward Smith and Corey Exline) they try to nd jobs, relationships and meaning in life. e production features music direction from Susan Draus, who has served as musical director for “ e Book of Mormon,” “Mamma Mia” and many more.

“ e show is a bit cartoonish because of the puppets, so I wanted to add more cute and funny sounds to the score,” Draus said. “I really want the music to match the show — when it’s funny, the music should be funny and when it’s tender, it should be tender.”

As if working with puppets, which were designed by Cory Gilstrap,

KRISTEN FIORE West Metro Editor kfiore@coloradocommunitymedia.com

DEB HURLEY BROBST Community Editor dbrobst@coloradocommunitymedia.com wasn’t a big enough challenge, there were also the normal challenges of staging a musical in an intimate space. But Draus said it was great fun to be a part of the project.

“I love what they’re doing a Miners Alley,” she said. “ ey have such a wonderful sense of humor and a great kindness and lightness. e audience is going to have a blast.”

What makes the show unique isn’t the puppets — it’s the searchingly human way topics like racism and LGBTQIA+ issues are examined. And that deep humanity is what Sherrill hopes audiences take away from the production.

“ e puppets allow the meaning and messages to be more subtle, instead of right in your face. It allows

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