Pretensions finally got to catch the long-awaited Avenue Q (proudly uncut and uncensored) here in Singapore last Tuesday. For those not in the know, Avenue Q is a hilarious musical spoof of Sesame Street, with puppets behaving very badly indeed. Think of it as Sesame Street 10-15 years later where all the characters have gone badly wrong.

The show begins with fresh-faced graduate Princeton arriving in New York City's Avenue Q ("I started at A, but everything else was kind of out of my budget") where puppets and humans live in quasi-harmony. He quickly meets his new neighbours, wannabe comedian Brian and his Japanese-American wife Christmas Eve, single kindergarten teacher Kate Monster, Rod & Nickie (the Bert and Ernie analogues) and of course, building superintendent Gary Coleman, who was presumably unable to find a job after the TV show "Different Strokes" ended.

Princeton's quest for his "Purpose" leads him into and out of various shenanigans, which are inevitably heralded by Avenue Q's trademark song-and-(sometimes) dance numbers. P loved Princeton's opening "It Sucks to be Me" and was very tempted to get the T-shirt (literally, they were selling them outside the door).

Princeton begins a romance with girl-monster-next door Kate, who explains that her purpose is to start a school for monsters. Despite having an unfortunate lapse with aptly-named Lucy the Slut, Princeton eventually realises that his purpose in life is secondary, his immediate need is to help Kate recognise hers. With help from the rest of the Avenue Q gang, including Porn addict Trekkie Monster (the Cookie monster analogue), Kate's dream comes true and Princeton realises that life is only "For now".

There's of course, plenty of subsidiary characters and subplot, including Rod's life as a closeted gay man and his eventual coming out of the closet and the 2 Bad Idea Bears who eventually convert to Scientology. P also loved the bit when Lucy the Slut ends up in the hospital and her ECG mimics her most significant assets! The puppet sex was pretty amusing too... (yes puppets can have sex).

The songs were wonderful, particularly comedy number "The Internet is for Porn", Gary's ""Schadenfreude" (so so true!!) and Kate's "There's a Fine Line between Love and a Waste of Time". The latter song, beautifully rendered by Philippina songstress Carla Guevara-Laforteza brought a tear to P's eye.

Other standout members of the mostly Philippino cast include Frenchie Dy as Christmas Eve. Larger-than-life in more ways than one, her scintillating personality and big voice made "When you ruv someone" really beautiful. Ironically, the role of Gary Coleman (one of my younger friends had no idea who he was supposed to be) was taken by a former child star, Aiza Seguerra, who was excellent in the dance numbers and whose warm contralto voice was perfect for the "boy"'s role.

Avenue Q won the 2004 Tony award for best musical and P enjoyed it hugely. It's running until the 13th of November, so go catch it quick! P's leaving you with the Tony footage of Avenue Q - enjoy.