If you’ve ever wondered what a Broadway musical of your college experiences would be like, “Avenue Q” is a must-see.

Created by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, “Avenue Q” is the underdog winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical, a competition in which it shattered the blockbuster invincibility that had been prematurely given to “Wicked.”

Featuring puppets that are delightfully reminiscent of “Sesame Street,” the two-hour-long play shows that indecision, low self-esteem and fears of failure can actually be the basis of a highly infectious musical. Sound familiar?

“Avenue Q” is the story of a starry-eyed college graduate searching for his purpose. After coming to New York City with high aspirations and a tiny bank account, Princeton soon befriends a group of lowlifes who share similar dilemmas.

The denizens of the fictional neighborhood include Nicky, a happy-go-lucky slacker; his roommate Rod, a repressed homosexual; Brian, an unemployed comedian; Kate Monster, a single teaching assistant; Trekkie Monster, an Internet addict of something very different from cookies; and Gary Coleman, the area superintendant. Yes, Gary Coleman.

“Avenue Q” fuses the world of children’s wonder with the irreverent humor of “South Park.”

Indeed, much of the fun lies in watching a familiar kids’ television show spiral into the depths of Gen-X angst.

If you take pleasure in such a notion, you acknowledge the concept of schadenfreude – a jovial feeling that is discussed by the puppets in song.

The characters openly use profane language and address adult themes, complicating the task of pigeon holing the play’s age-appropriate demographic.

College students are sure to love it because they are likely to identify with the puppets’ relationships and financial woes. One particular number is dedicated to college life, citing the ups and downs of homework, residence hall living and relationships.

Discerning the nature of these off-color, disgustingly irresistible tunes requires only that one read their titles: “The Internet is for Porn,” “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “If You Were Gay” and “It Sucks to Be Me.”

These topics may seem uncouth, but as the characters say, “you laugh because they’re based on truth.” Many of the numbers will leave you laughing and applauding at the brazen subjects discussed.

If the unsavory humor isn’t reason enough to smile, the energized performances of the actors and actresses involved will really tug on your heart strings.

Carey Anderson and Howie Michael Smith, as Kate Monster and Princeton, respectively, imbue their puppets with such vitality and expressiveness that one can’t help but like them.

Avenue Q is currently being shown in the Golden Theater on Broadway in New York City. It is also on tour, with the closest dates being in Cincinnati between April 21 and May 3.

Tickets range from $20 – $61. Avenue Q will have you laughing about its cheeky content and have you singing “It Sucks to Be Me,” all the way home.