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Wednesday, March 5,2008
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Pesky Puppets
Theater Reviews
Awhole generation
has grown-up since “Sesame Street” first aired in 1969. The savvy
educational public television show that mixes muppets, animation and
live actors has become highly iconic. The premise of using the “Sesame
Street” format to deliver comically satirical lessons to those who have
grown up watching the show is brimming with brilliant possibilities.
As interesting as the premise is, the touring Broadway production of Avenue Q (which breezed through the Marcus Center this past week) consistently fails to deliver on its potential. A cast of characters, including muppetlike puppets, are accompanied by a few non-puppet-bearing actors inhabiting the title street in a competent piece of musical theater. Avenue Q uses the format as a gimmick that becomes cloyingly uninteresting very quickly. Once you’ve gotten used to the puppets dealing with adult issues in a grown-up world, there’s really not much plot to follow and the music is largely forgettable.
Without the puppets, it’s hard to imagine Avenue Q doing very well at all on Broadway. It’s only really entertaining if you turn off your brain and laugh. And while there’s really nothing wrong with this, it’s a lot cheaper to stay home, get drunk and watch children’s programming on DVR.
As interesting as the premise is, the touring Broadway production of Avenue Q (which breezed through the Marcus Center this past week) consistently fails to deliver on its potential. A cast of characters, including muppetlike puppets, are accompanied by a few non-puppet-bearing actors inhabiting the title street in a competent piece of musical theater. Avenue Q uses the format as a gimmick that becomes cloyingly uninteresting very quickly. Once you’ve gotten used to the puppets dealing with adult issues in a grown-up world, there’s really not much plot to follow and the music is largely forgettable.
Without the puppets, it’s hard to imagine Avenue Q doing very well at all on Broadway. It’s only really entertaining if you turn off your brain and laugh. And while there’s really nothing wrong with this, it’s a lot cheaper to stay home, get drunk and watch children’s programming on DVR.
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AP - President Barack Obama says he wants Congress to pass legislation giving the government greater regulatory authority over financial institutions like American International Group.
Sources: Pentagon to stop forced tour extension
(AP)
AP - The Army will substantially reduce use of the unpopular practice of holding troops beyond their enlistment dates and will pay $500 to those still forced to stay in the service, defense and congressional officials said Wednesday.
AIG head shares US anger of bonuses but backs them
(AP)
AP - The chief executive officer of failed insurance conglomerate AIG acknowledged Wednesday that the company's multimillion-dollar bonuses were "distasteful" to many and had provoked a firestorm of wrath. "I share that anger," Edward Liddy, chairman and CEO of the American International Group Inc., said in testimony prepared for Congress.
Analysis: White House, Dems backpedaling on AIG
(AP)
AP - For the first time since last fall's election, Democrats and the Obama administration are backpedaling furiously on an issue easily understood by financially strapped taxpayers: $165 million in bonuses paid out at bailed-out AIG.
Pence: Return AIG donations
(Politico)
Politico - House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence is urging politicians from both parties to strongly consider returning campaign contributions from AIG.
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Top Stories
AIG head shares US anger of bonuses but backs them
(AP)
AP - The chief executive officer of failed insurance conglomerate AIG acknowledged Wednesday that the company's multimillion-dollar bonuses were "distasteful" to many and had provoked a firestorm of wrath. "I share that anger," Edward Liddy, chairman and CEO of the American International Group Inc., said in testimony prepared for Congress.
Obama seeks greater rein on financial institutions
(AP)
AP - President Barack Obama says he wants Congress to pass legislation giving the government greater regulatory authority over financial institutions like American International Group.
Consumer prices rise by largest amount in 7 months
(AP)
AP - Consumer prices rose in February by the largest amount in seven months as gasoline prices surged again and clothing costs jumped the most in nearly two decades.
Crude
