Last night’s performance of Avenue Q went on like it always does, because the show must. And luckily for producers (and the actors, and the puppets, and probably even the sound techs) the audience didn’t boo when the opening number “It Sucks to Be Me” — where the character laments about being a former child star who “made a lot of money that got stolen by my folks” — came on.
The writers only made small changes, like nixing the word “former” from the phrase “former child star” in the dialogue. If you’ve seen the show, you know how much Coleman’s life is referenced, so it’s nice to see audiences, at least last night’s, aren’t taking offense to his inspiration.
[NYT]
alan brickman
His wife murdered him….
alan brickman
The police refuse to investigate….why???…
Hyhybt
@alan brickman: Perhaps they don’t think there is anything to investigate.
J. Clarence
It was really sudden his death, so I doubt the director and writers had much time fix things, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed the characters a little bit later on. Coleman character is central to the show, but it is not as if it can’t be filled by another child-star who’s life got ruined.
Rob
Honestly, one of the first thoughts I had when I learned of his death was “How will they do Avenue Q?”
Jeremy
@Rob: Gosh, so did I. To be honest, I only knew about Gary Coleman only through Avenue Q.
gjr
Sadly, in every way, it really did suck to be Gary Coleman. Sick, the butt of jokes his whole life, a career that ended basically in childhood, parents who stole much of his money, domestic disputes… but sadly, par for the course for most child actors in the 70’s-80’s.
But not all turned out badly..rumored in numerous places Tony Dowe discovered he liked men in his 50’s. I always suspected Wally and Eddie fooled around.
HotlantaBama
@Jeremy: You only know about Gary Coleman through Avenue Q? You’ve either been living under a rock or you’re 12.
gjr
@HotlantaBama: Well, to be fair, Gary Coleman was kinda like Farrah. There was one major professional success, then a couple other projects that people can point at. Coleman’s success ended almost 30 years ago. If your under 30, I can see people not being so familiar with him. It’s not like he was a cultural phenomenon, more like a poster boy of how Hollywood spits out child stars when the series ends.
hephaestion
Doctors didn’t expect Coleman to live this long, I heard, due to the condition that kept him from growing.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
All the stories coming out now show he truly got the short end of the stick of life, both litearly and figurativly, He had some kind of kidney problem, he had a transplant before he even became was on that show. That kept him kid sized his whole life. He made millions during the show, yet his own Parents screwed him out almost all of it. What he was left was mostly spent on lawyers fees. He had no contact with them for decades. The saddest part it they are now demanding to know what happened and hinting that he didn’t recieve proper care at the hospital. Am sure they will be hiring lawyers to sue anyone even remotely linked to his death. Would really suck if they were able to secure any financial gain once again thru his death…………….