'Avenue Q' to bring relevance, puppet porn to Lied Center

Everyone's a little bit racist.

Ethnic jokes may be uncouth, but you laugh because they're based on truth.

It's a provocative statement. Especially when it's coming from a puppet.

"Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," is only one of the multiple songs included in "Avenue Q," which is appearing tonight, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lied Center. The production is sold out, but there is a waiting list for those who don't have tickets.

"Avenue Q" tells the story of Princeton, a college graduate who moves to New York City with "big dreams and a tiny bank account." The only apartment he can afford is on Avenue Q, where everyone is looking for the same thing: a job, a relationship and a purpose.

Through the use of songs such as "What Do You Do With a B.A. in English?" "Fantasies Come True" and "The Internet is for Porn," Princeton learns that the city life isn't so bad after all.

"This has been a whole lot of fun having ‘Avenue Q' come to the Lied," marketing assistant Joel Gehringer said. "There has been a huge student response. The music is phenomenal and irreverent and hilarious."

The Tony-award winning production features puppets manipulated on stage by actors, and though they look similar to Elmo or Big Bird, it's not "Sesame Street." The production explores themes such as racism, pornography and homosexuality.

There's also puppet sex.

"It sounds like it is going to be a great show," said Petra Wahlqvist, assistant director of community engagement and learning for the Lied Center. "Plus, we are on Q Street. That's kind of fun."

The play deals with different obstacles that college students can relate to, Gehringer said. The characters are in their 20s and worry about finding jobs or having relationships.

"The show doesn't preach," Gehringer said. "It's just a lot of fun."

The show sold out a month ago, which is common for the larger Broadway shows that come to the Lied, ticket seller Erin Mills said. The Yo-Yo Ma performance in March is already sold out.

"The Broadway shows usually have more college students," Mills said. "We get a pretty wide range, which is nice."

Those without tickets can call the ticket office to put their name on a waiting list. The list, however, is currently four pages long. Still, students are encouraged to try and see the show that mixes purple monsters with porn.

"There aren't a whole lot of places like the Lied around the country, so students should take advantage of what we have," Gehringer said. "‘Avenue Q' is the perfect show to do that."

paigecornwell@dailynebraskan.com