Music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Book by Jeff Whitty. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Directed by Peter Jorgensen. An Arts Club production. At the Granville Island Stage on Wednesday, November 26. Continues until January 3

It’s perfect. I didn’t want it to end.

Avenue Q looks a lot like Sesame Street—with walloping doses of irony. On Avenue Q, instead of meeting innocent kids and their wise mentors, we meet a bunch of directionless 20-somethings, who are searching for meaning and meaningful relationships while simultaneously figuring out that they’re not as predestined for success as they’ve been led to believe.

As on Sesame Street, the population of Avenue Q is a combination of humans and Muppetlike puppets. But instead of delivering Sesame Street’s reassuring life lessons, this bunch sings songs like “What Do You Do With a B.A. in English?”, “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, and “The Internet Is for Porn”.

The juxtaposition of form and content is hilarious. “It Sucks to Be Me” bounces along on a stream of music so bright it feels propelled by sunshine. And things get downright wild in the extended and imaginative bout of puppet sex we get to witness. It’s side-splittingly funny—like watching your favourite toys humping their brains out.

Building on this material, director Peter Jorgensen’s production is flawless. Jorgensen first mounted Avenue Q for the Arts Club in June 2013. It was terrific then. It was a hit. And even though half the cast has been replaced, it’s just as good this time around.

Jeremy Crittenden takes over as Princeton (the puppet with the B.A.) and Rod (a gay Republican puppet who’s struggling to come out). With with his lovely tenor, crisp physicality, and spot-on comic timing, Crittenden couldn’t be better. Nick Fontaine is the new Trekkie Monster (the porn-obsessed puppet), as well as a couple of other characters. In both his vocal and acting performances, Fontaine does himself proud in his Arts Club debut. And Selina Wong takes over as Christmas Eve, an outrageous Japanese-American character. Wong delivers one of the best numbers in the show, “The More You Ruv Someone (The More You Want to Kirr Them)”, with both technical mastery and impeccable spin.

They join existing cast members: the excellent Andy Toth, Evangelia Kambites, and Jeny Cassady, as well as Kayla Dunbar. Dunbar plays a furry puppet named Kate Monster and a slutty puppet named Lucy. Her performance is so vocally strong and witty I can’t believe she’s not on Broadway already.

Under the musical direction of Sean Bayntun, this whole show—including the three-piece band—is phenomenally musically tight. And Marshall McMahen’s resourceful set—a kind of grubby, melting Sesame Street—is right on.

November got you down? Take a trip to Avenue Q.