GALLERY: Avenue Q, Puppets, and Songs and Bears, oh my!

Acting is very difficult; acting while holding a puppet is darn near impossible, but this cast does a magnificent job. The actors don't hide or pretend that the puppet is a whole unit by hiding it behind scenery. I found myself watching the puppet more than the person operating it, although it is sometimes a little disconcerting to see half a puppet hanging in the air next to a person.

The melding of actor to puppet is outstanding. Kristen Pennington and her puppet Kate Monster's movements are so fluid that they appear to be one unit. Shayne Gue can somehow make a very rigid puppet face convey a full range of emotions. Some of the puppets require two actors to fully operate them and the character is always believable which takes considerable coordination and cooperation from the actors. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to train yourself to act through your hand and create a character that comes across as alive and emotional. The cast did it. Every puppet was believable and somehow the actor working the puppet managed to step back and let the puppet dominate the scene. This must be a combination of great acting by the cast and great directing by Danny Ray.

Every actor is strong in this play and whether they are playing humans or puppets the strength of character is there. This cast has an array of very likeable members and you can't help but care what happens to them.

The stage set is elaborate with a stairway, several entrances and windows that allow the actors a great deal of freedom of movement. You never know when someone will peek out a window to comment on the action on the street below.

The cast has a mix of people without puppets, puppets that are supposed to be people, and puppets that are monsters. For reasons known only to the playwright, there is a human character named Gary Coleman, former child star, inexplicably played by a female. He manages the apartment building most of the cast occupies. Holly Maynard is excellent as Gary Coleman and very funny. All the puppets have a certain Muppetness about them, but each has a unique look and personality, from the nerdy guys to the Marilyn Monroeish femme fatale. She even sports a beauty mark.

It isn't necessary to write a review of the play as everyone is superb and information about the cast and the Curtains Up Players is available in the program. I do want to mention the ambiance of the theatre.

While you are waiting for the play to begin background music can be heard-and what background music it is! I heard a Muppet version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that made me want to rush out and buy the CD. In the lobby you can purchase "Monster fur" cupcakes and Avenue Q Tea and bottled water.

The overall atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly and the cast and crew mingle with the audience after the play.

During the play there is a "pass the hat" moment that is cleverly worked in. The cast is extolling the virtues of giving and decides to let the audience feel good about giving too and cast members walk through the theatre collecting money that will go into the Curtains Up Players' operating funds. Audience members should give generously as these folks do a wonderful job of presenting contemporary and edgy plays and should be encouraged to continue.

One item that stood out for me during the play was that the Producer, Paul Neace, who has to have seen the play dozens of times, laughed long and loud throughout the play-and any play that can generate that kind of a response after multiple viewings has to be very, very good. The audience was also very responsive and frequently laughed out loud and gave the cast a standing ovation.

There is an orchestra pit in the theatre, with a live orchestra conducted by Kaitlin DeSpain, which keeps everything moving along at a brisk pace and provides spirited accompaniment to the many songs.

"Avenue Q" will be presented at 8:00 pm August 30 and 31, and September 1, with a final performance at 2:30 pm September 2. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. The performance is at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center (the former Camelot Theatre) on Fourth Avenue in Downtown Huntington. For ticket information, please call 304.942.8576. The web address for Curtains Up Players is www.curtainsupplayers.org. There is some strong language and sexual situations, not to mention puppet nudity, so the play may not be appropriate for young children. Truly, they won't hear anything they don't hear every day at school, and the sexual stuff will probably go right over their heads, but use your own discretion.

Sandee can be reached at Lloyd@marshall.edu