Artistic Secularism and Societal Reflections: Exploring "Avenue Q's" Impact and Cultural Legacy

I know that much of the world thinks that the West is too secular, and although secularism is a common thread throughout the fabric of this and these societies, the root of our issues is not paved with secularism. Secularism is a drug; it doesn’t account for the addiction. Our addiction is far more deeply rooted and is more common throughout the rest of the world. What secularism is, is the decay of exhaustive trial and error that comes with unfettered convenience.

With that said, a great example of artistic secularism at its finest is Avenue Q, the Off-Broadway sensation that took the theatre community by storm. Avenue Q came to life in 2003, created by Jeff Marx, Robert Lopez, and Jeff Whitty, the show is a unique blend of puppets, human actors, and an innovative approach to musical theatre. Despite the show’s unconventional format, Avenue Q quickly gained popularity and captured the hearts of audiences. Full of witty humor, catchy songs, and relatable themes that resonate with theatergoers of all ages. Avenue Q won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Avenue Q’s impact extended beyond the stage, influencing popular culture, and sparking important conversations that tackled issues such as relationships, identity, racial inequality, and the challenges of adulthood in a humorous yet poignant manner. Avenue Q’s message of acceptance and self-discovery struck a chord with audiences worldwide, making it a cultural phenomenon. I went to see it with a large handful of friends while living in New York City, the music was ingenious, the hit single being, “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist.”

What struck me the most was how being reminded of obvious social and behavioral truths from the lens of only a slightly different perspective challenged a lot of my conventional certainties allowing me to revisit ideas with a greater scope, and well beyond that of race alone. The song was written to encourage people when confronted with any social situation to consider (our) role instead of looking for and assigning blame. It’s a challenge to pause and apply real, conscious thought to any situation instead of relying on y(our) unconscious preprogrammed (most often indiscriminately) thought to manage y(our) immediate reactions. It’s what we call a “starting point.”

I was lucky to have seen it on stage in NYC, there’s nothing like an interactive Broadway musical experience; bagging a seat under the chandelier and looking up at it as it begins to fall during the finale of the first act of Phantom of the Opera, the stampede scene when Mufasa dies in the Lion King, and sitting front and center in an intimate Off-Broadway theatre listening to a bunch of puppets sing about how needlessly difficult life is. Unfortunately, the show is no longer running, however, you can watch the full show here (on YouTube). You’ll get triggered eventually, but it’s a good barometer of your unconscious reactionary presence (U.R.P.), and the show is incredible.

While secularism may be viewed as a prevailing force in Western societies, it would be simplistic to attribute our societal issues solely to its influence. Rather, secularism serves as a symptom of deeper-rooted challenges. Avenue Q, a notable example of artistic secularism, offers insights into societal norms and challenges through humor and music. Avenue Q's impact extends beyond entertainment, sparking conversations and prompting introspection on social themes ranging from relationships to racial inequality.

Through a unique perspective, Avenue Q encourages audiences to reconsider conventional certainties and engage in conscious thought, making it a show, but a starting point for deeper reflection also. Though the curtain has closed on its stage run, its legacy lives on, inviting viewers to examine their unconscious reactions and navigate life’s complexities with greater awareness.