ROCHELLE — Enthusiastic audiences packed the Paddock Room at Hickory Grove for the opening weekend performances of “Avenue Q.”
“Avenue Q” is a slightly raucous, highly irreverent, musical being staged by Vince Carney Community Theater.
In fact, Director Will Mingus said no one under the age of 18 will be admitted without a parent.  So be prepared to laugh at inappropriate material and maybe be even slightly offended.
The show features puppets and humans interacting on stage. Princeton, a recent college graduate, has relocated to New York and found housing expensive.  He started looking on Avenue A, but eventually found housing farther out, on Avenue Q.
There he meets an offbeat collection of furry and human characters who are all struggling to find their places in life.
Ken Manning is one of the puppet people.  Manning is Trekkie Monster, who he describes as “kind of a recluse who spends most of his time in his Apt on Ave Q, exploring his favorite topic on the internet.” His favorite topic?  Porn.
“Relating to this character is a challenge, in that on the surface we are nothing alike,” Manning admits. Watching other performances of Trekkie in other shows on line has helped.

“That helped me get into his skin, or fur as the case may be,” he joked.
Manning has been in several VCCT shows including The Wizard of Oz, Bleacher  Bums, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and also directed High Spirits.
He has been doing community theater for almost 30 years and has 70 shows under his belt covering all aspects of production, from acting to directing.
Michele McClane is in her first VCCT show, playing Christmas Eve, a Japanese immigrant in the community.
“Christmas is very intelligent and forthright. She’s earned two master’s degrees, and now she’s a therapist. She’s not always excellent at what she does, but her heart is in the right place,” McClane said of her character.
“Christmas Eve is a take charge kind of gal and so am I,” McClane added.
McClane is also a long time theater buff, being involved in shows for over 30 years. She has been active with Stage Coach Players in DeKalb and in groups in LaSalle, Rockford, and Yorkville.
In addition to McClane and Manning, cast members include Karl Rand, Bill Wengelewski, Deitra Colclasure, Ivan Zwinklis, Amy Frank, Ben Dougherty, Jax Fane, Bonnie Miller, Lindsey Lancaster, Matt Frison, Kimberly Ekes and Jenna Mingus. Will Mingus is director and Terry Camplain is assistant director for the show.
“Avenue Q” will be presented for two more weekends March 9-17.  Friday shows (March 9 and 16) and Saturday shows (March 10 and 17) begin at 8 p.m. The Sunday show (March 11) begins at 2 p.m.
All seats are reserved and are $20 for this show. Tickets can be purchased on line at vcctrochelle.org or at the door the night of the show if seating is available.
Paddock Hall is in the Hickory Grove Complex at 1133 N. Seventh St.
“Avenue Q” won three  Tony Award in 2003 and is the 24th longest running Broadway show, with over 3,000 performances.  The show is still running on Broadway.