Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Not only has L. Walter Stearns' production now been extended all the way through November, but the owner of the for-profit Mercury, the very same L. Walter Stearns, says that he is pondering doing the hitherto unthinkable: nixing his annual seasonal production of "A Christmas Schooner" and letting Princeton, Kate Monster, Gary Coleman, Christmas Eve and the rest of the gang in the show by Jeff Whitty, with music by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez, run on and on and on."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...With perky songs, video sequences, and Muppet-style puppets portraying most of the characters, this Sesame Street spoof illustrates such grown-up life lessons as "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)," and "There's a Fine, Fine Line" between friendship and romance—as noted in the aching, plaintive ballad of the same title, beautifully sung by Leah Morrow as Kate Monster."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...By the end all the Q clan can be sure of is just what's "For Now." Alas or hurrah, sooner or later we all leave Sesame Street to move onto Avenue Q. But, as director L. Walter Stearns' 140-minute triumph reveals, there are worse addresses to learn about life. Like maybe your own..."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Recently, I attended the Metropolis Theatre production of "Avenue Q" written by Jeff Whitty (book) and music and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez. For those of you who read my reviews, I did say that this production was the best thing I have ever seen on the stage in downtown Arlington Heights, and in fact I was proud of the work. Tonight, while that show still has the week-end to run, a new version of the show opened up in Wrigleyville at The Mercury Theater under the watchful eye of director L Walter Stearns and his musical director Eugene Dizon. Alan Donahue's set is very close to the original production and is a bit tighter than the Metropolis. While I still say, the Metropolis production was in fact the best they have ever done, the Mercury Theater production is extraordinary with some of the best talent I have ever seen playing the roles."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...The surprising thing about "Avenue Q" is just how wise, witty, open-minded and openly devoid of by-the-book political correctness it manages to be. And the Mercury production's mix of warmth and naughtiness easily seals the deal as it makes an instantaneous connection with its audience."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...L. Walter Stearns has expertly directed his revival production with verve and a clear vision. He never loses sight of the play’s parody of both “South Park” and “Sesame Street,” while still focusing on the show’s important life lessons. Partnered with Eugene Dizon’s impeccable musical guidance and Kevin Bellie’s sparkling choreography, this production, once again, is a winner. Alan Donahue’s awesome, detailed scenic design is paired with Max Maxin IV’s delightful video projections and Dustin L. Derry’s brilliant lighting, making this production feel as polished and fresh as when it first opened. Accompanied by Linda Madonia’s five-member, backstage band, this show is definitely worth a visit, especially for audiences who’ve never seen it before. Just leave any conservative judgment at the door and settle in your seat ready to laugh."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"..."Avenue Q" has lost none of its fresh comic glow since its 2014 run. There is a bit of updating in the book but the show is basically a replica of what kept us in stitches four years ago. The blend of singing, acting, and puppetry remains wondrous, thanks in no small part to the gleeful infusions of vulgarity and bad taste (which still underscore some basic truths about human nature). What a singular and exhilarating playgoing experience!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...If Mercury wanted to, Avenue Q could probably run for a season or more and we'd be all the better for it. Its old-school brickwork blends well with Alan Donahue's worn-out borough design, and L. Walter Stearns' direction is perfectly scaled to the venue. It's barbed, but not acidic. Sweet, but not diabetic. Grounded, even when the puppets are canoodling loudly and unapologetically. Honest, and brutally so, especially since Trekkie can look everyone in the eye and know what they really do online..."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...Avenue Q's book and lyrics provide tons of comic fodder for the performers, and each actor makes bold choices in creating their character. As Princeton and Kate, Evans and Morrow are immediately likeable. This helps you quickly invest in their budding relationship, a major crux of the plot. Each other actor imbues their puppet with a similarly winsome spark. This charisma is also present in the human characters. In the five times I've seen Avenue Q, never before have I been so enthralled by the character of Gary Coleman; Billings makes tons of fresh choices with this character in a way that really energizes his role in the story."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...One might think that a show that traded on topicality in 2004 would feel a bit outdated in 2018, but that is not at all the case for Avenue Q, the musical featuring blunt-speaking, sexual puppets that is enjoying a revival at the Mercury Theater. While we might have hoped back then that racism, homophobia, and problematic GOP Presidents would have just been, as the show puts it, issues "for now," our political and social scene today doesn't look much different from what it did back then. Avenue Q, which examines these issues through the filter of laughter and catchy tunes sung by solid puppeteers, still feels as up to the minute as it ever did. And Mercury's show features such wonderful performances that it holds up even to the memory of that Tony-winning original production."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Dizon have now assembled a top-flight ensemble around the delightfully endearing return performances of Jackson Evans (Princeton) and Leah Morrow (Kate Monster). Dan Smeriglio is hilarious in his return in the split roles of Nicky (with Jonah D. Winston, who is also a perfect Trekkie Monster) and Bad Idea Bear (with Stephanie Herman, who splits as the salacious Lucy and Mrs. T). Rounding out the superb multi-talented cast are David S. Robbins (Gary Coleman), Christian Siebert(Rod), Matthew Lies(Brian) and Audrey Billings (Christmas Eve)."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...I found Avenue Q to be refreshingly funny, clever, and entertaining, while also upfront, person, bittersweet, and realistic. The show was also charmingly naughty, and made fun of everything under the sun. It definitely brings out your inner child while incorporating puppets with the real life actors. You cannot help but laugh throughout the entire show. Avenue Q touched on relatable and sometimes taboo topics such as dating, relationships, friendships, sex, drugs, alcohol, coming of age, and maintaining jobs, all in New York City. It was definitely a show aimed at and appealing to the Generation X and Millennials, considering many of us watched Sesame Street growing up, and are still paying off college debts years after graduating."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...Whether you have seen AVENUE Q before and can mouth the lyrics to all the songs or if you have never experienced it, Mercury Theater's production is worth a visit. AVENUE Q will provide uproarious and NSFW laughs for days, but it also will touch your heart and provide a much-needed dose of theatrical sunshine."
