When the Audience Suitability section for an event reads: “Parental guidance is recommended with full puppet nudity and sex, songs about racism and porn we’ll leave it up to you to decide if you bring your kids!”, you know I want to see it!

Avenue Q won three major Tony Awards in 2004 and has gone on to be one of the longest running shows on Broadway, as well as being a huge hit on London’s West End. Most of the cast of Avenue Q are puppets (operated by actors on stage) and the show is largely inspired by Sesame Street.

The story centres around Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. There’s Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod — a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate Monster. And would you believe the building’s superintendent is Gary Coleman?!? (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Their lives also intermingle with renowned nightclub singer, Lucy the Slut, and school principal, Mrs. Thistletwat. Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Avenue Q plays at The Civic for a strictly limited season from Thursday 13 May. Tickets are available from The Edge, and more information about the muscial can be found on its official website.