Avenue Q: The Book [Hardcover]

Avenue Q (Author), Zachary Pincus-Roth (Author), Carol Rosegg (Photographer), S. Britt (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 2006

An exclusive first look behind the scenes of the popular Broadway musical.

With its cast of furry puppets, its shockingly politically incorrect lyrics, and its hilarious upending of children's television,Avenue Q took Broadway by storm. The New York Times declared it "a breakthrough musical," and after a two-year run, the Golden Theater is still selling out eight shows a week. Its success is not limited to the Great White Way, however: This summer, the cast will be swearing, drinking, and ennui-ing their way across the country.

As smart, risqu, and downright entertaining as the show itself, Avenue Q is a must-have companion book. In addition to the complete Tony Awardwinning book and songs (perfect for those who cant get enough of the lyrics to "It Sucks to Be Me"), Avenue Q is packed with exclusive interviews with the cast and creatures, and features puzzles, connect-the-dots, and other "educational" activities to prepare readers for life after college. With a distinctive cover and chock-full of gorgeous photography and original illustrations, Avenue Q is a jam-packed thrill ride of a book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The furriest, and one of the funniest, shows you’re ever likely to see." -- Entertainment Weekly

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140130298X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401302986
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It Sucks to Be You if You Don't Have This Book! December 20, 2006

By Ms. HJR

Format:Hardcover

My friend bought me this book as a Christmas present because I am such a huge fan of the musical. I love everything about the book and will treasure it for years to come. It is one of the nicest gifts I've ever received.

The first thing I noticed about the book is that it has a really unique fuzzy orange cover. Inside, there's lot of colorful pictures and drawings of the puppets and cast.

The book has five chapters. Chapter 1 is entitled, "How Did They Ever Think of This?" and tells the story of how the show came to be; Chapter 2 is entitled, "How to Make a Puppet Come to Life!" and tells how the puppets were made; Chapter 3 is entitled, "A is for Actors!" and tells about the actors; Chapter 4 is "The Script of Avenue Q!" and contains lyrics to all the songs; and Chapter 5 is entitled "How a Small Show Got Big!"

As I was looking through the book, I actually started singing the songs out loud as I shared the storyline of Avenue Q with my friends at our little gift exchange last night. "Schadenfreude...People taking pleasure in yo' pain!"

They thought the musical sounded like a riot and now want to go see it. If you're unfamiliar with the storyline it's about Princeton, who just graduated from college with a B.A. in English and has lots of bills but no job skills. Princeton soon finds out life in the real world sucks, and the only place he can afford to live is Avenue Q. There he meets Nicky & Rod, best friends who live together, Trekke Monster who thinks the internet is for porn, Kate Monster, Lucy the Slut, Brian and his fiance, Christmas Eve, and Gary Coleman, the super of Avenue Q!

It's a humorous story about life in the real world after college that everyone can relate to. As Princeton laments, "I wish I could go back to college...in college you know who you are...you sit in the quad and think 'Oh my God, I am totally gonna go far...", Nicky who's homeless concludes, "But if I were to go back to college...think what a loser I'd be...I'd walk through the quad and think 'Oh my God ... these kids are so much younger than me'..."

Avenue Q touches on just about every subject imaginable: homosexuals ("If you were Gay"); racism ("Everyone's a Little Bit Racist Sometimes, it doesn't mean we go around committing hate crimes"); homelessness ("Give me a quarter?" ; dissatisfaction with life ("Is there anybody here it doesn't suck to be? It sucks to be me!") The only complaint I have about this book is that I didn't think of writing it first!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm & Fuzzy! October 25, 2006

By Jeffrey A. Unaitis

Format:Hardcover

In addition to its delightfully furry orange cover, it's jam-packed with photos, interviews, drawings, and includes the complete libretto. Any fan of the show must, MUST have this ... it's (literally) a warm & fuzzy souvenir of one of my favorite shows of recent years... -- Jeff

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need about Av Q March 8, 2007

By Schaeffer

Format:Hardcover

This book has everything you want to know about the musical Avenue Q. Why they made this musical. Why they chose puppetry. Why is Rod blue? Why is Trekkie played by two puppeteers? How they made the marketing. What do the actors think about their puppets/characters/political view. And also contains the complete textbook, and deleted scenes. And everything is designed in a fun and extravagant colorfull playfull way as if its a kidsbook.

The fuzzy cover alone is worth the effort.