After Gary Coleman’s death yesterday, the creative team of Avenue Q had to make some quick changes to the script for last night’s performance. If you don’t know about the show, it centers around people living in a destitute apartment building ran by a character heavily based on Gary Coleman. There are jokes throughout the show about Coleman’s health problems, his financial issues, and his former stardom, and with the recent events, these jokes might appear tasteless, or more tasteless than they already are.
The writers considered cutting the character out of the show entirely, but when they realized that would be a horrible decision, they decided to change a few lines. The changes took place right before and during the performance, and after the curtain call, the actress playing Gary Coleman, Danielle K. Thomas, gave a speech dedicated to the real Coleman. The playwright, Jeff Whitty, made the comment
“From the very beginning when we wrote the show, he represented a certain spunkiness and attempting to overcome life’s disappointments. It’s a show of very heightened circumstances. In that world, I think Gary Coleman can actually live on in some degree of comfort.”
I really don’t know how I feel about this. I think it’s respectful to not openly mock someone in front of a large audience when that person died hours before, but actually changing the show seems odd. I love Avenue Q, despite of (or maybe because of) that kind of tastelessness. Songs like “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” make the show what it is: a fearless, awesomely fun show. Thomas said that was the point of the show, to “to slap you in the face, to the point where nothing offends you and everything becomes O.K.” That’s a wonderful point for a show to have, but it seems almost hypocritical to make changes to the script.
Thoughts? Comments? Prayers?
I think “Everyones just a little bit racist” is ok because its a poking of teh finger at everyone, just making fun of one person, who has died none the less, seems a bit harsh.
They were already doing the show way before he died, so it seems weird to change it, I think.
Are you really getting upset because they tried to be respectful? Yes, being tasteless and in your face is in the spirit of Avenue Q, but I honestly don’t think changing the script for a few days because the person on whom a character is based just DIED unexpectedly. That’s not hypocritical, that’s respectful and I think it’s rather thoughtful that they did that. If they hadn’t, I can guarantee someone would be up in arms. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Yea it’s an off color musical, but at the end of the day behind those puppets are people. People who probably know what it’s like to lose someone close to them. They’re well within their right to alter the show. I don’t think they’re doing it not to offend people, I think they’re doing it to offer respect to Coleman. Without him, one of their characters wouldn’t even exist.
Well said KJ, I completely agree.
Broadway, who gives a shit outside of a handful of used rubbers.
Ok i think changing you script TO insult someone who just died is tasteless, but changing it so it doesn’t insult someone is unnecessary and out of the Q character. I worked on the touring production of Q and it’s not mean spirited, it’s just what Emily said, fun and fearless.
Fag’s can be so fucking cruel.
pervs are are always tasteless on downing everyone but themselves..
they did the right thing. the show is a comedy – if gary was still alive, the bit would be funny. after his death, it would just be awkward, uncomfortable, and unfunny. why would they keep it in? gotta roll with the punches in show-biz. it’s not like someone went in to edit their serious novel or biography.
There goes my broadway show, “Richard Pryor’s burned penis”!!!!