When we’re young, the art and entertainment we connect to can really take a hold and shape who we are and what we like. Usually, that art remains in our past — something we think of fondly occasionally. But every now and then it gets an update that turns it into something else.  

That’s the case with “Avenue Q: The Musical,” the new production at Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave. in Golden. The show is an adult modernization of the kind of puppet-driven storytelling that has been a part of growing up for years.  

“So many of us have memories of these kinds of stories, but this is more about real life,” said director Warren Sherrill. “The overall theme is that no matter how well we prepare ourselves in life, there are going to be curveballs, disappointments and unknowns that mess things up. Things get worse and then better.”  

“Avenue Q” runs at Miners from Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 17. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.  

According to provided information, the musical focuses on Princeton (David Otto), a recent college grad who has moved into a run-down New York City apartment on Avenue Q. As he meets neighbors and makes friends (with a cast that includes Ava Francis, Mike Martinkus, Keandra Hunt, Emily Gerhard, Carter Edward Smith and Corey Exline) they try to find jobs, relationships and meaning in life.  

The production features music direction from Susan Draus, who has served as musical director for “The Book of Mormon,” “Mamma Mia” and many more. 

“The show is a bit cartoonish because of the puppets, so I wanted to add more cute and funny sounds to the score,” Draus said. “I really want the music to match the show — when it’s funny, the music should be funny and when it’s tender, it should be tender.”  

As if working with puppets, which were designed by Cory Gilstrap, wasn’t a big enough challenge, there were also the normal challenges of staging a musical in an intimate space. But Draus said it was great fun to be a part of the project.  

“I love what they’re doing a Miners Alley,” she said. “They have such a wonderful sense of humor and a great kindness and lightness. The audience is going to have a blast.”  

What makes the show unique isn’t the puppets — it’s the searchingly human way topics like racism and LGBTQIA+ issues are examined. And that deep humanity is what Sherrill hopes audiences take away from the production.  

“The puppets allow the meaning and messages to be more subtle, instead of right in your face. It allows for boundaries to be broken,” he said. “There are important reminders in the show about taking life one day at a time. So much of what we worry about won’t even matter in a year.”  

For information and tickets, visit https://minersalley.com/avenue-q-the-musical/.  

Get thoughtful at Walker Fine Art’s Evocation exhibition 

I think most of us imagine art-making to be an extremely introspective pursuit and that is often the case, as Evocation, the latest exhibit at Walker Fine Art, 300 West 11th Ave., No. A, in Denver, beautifully explores.  

On display through Saturday, Sept. 2, the exhibit features works Virginia Steck, Matt Christie, Atticus Adams, Kim Ferrer, Peter Illig and Doug Haeussner. According to provided information, the artists use nature and landscape to work their way through memories. The resulting pieces come in a variety of mediums – painting, wall sculpture and mixed media – and invite the viewer to participate in their own introspective process.  

All the details can be found at www.walkerfineart.com/evocation. 

Celebrate highland life at Colorado Scottish Festival  

The Denver Polo Club is inviting people to get their Scottish on at the 59^thAnnual Colorado Scottish Festival, which will be held at the club, 6359 Airport Road in Sedalia, on Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6.  

Hosted by the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, the club celebrates all things Scottish — culture, tradition and history. The family-friendly event features a range of activities, including athletics, music and dance, Celtic merchandise, drinks and eats and much more. Spectators can check out the Scottish Games and traditional Irish Step Dancing by the Heritage Irish Stepdancers while sampling haggis, whisky and other delicacies.  

Find all the details at www.scottishgames.org. 

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — boygenius at Red Rocks  

Musical super groups aren’t things we see very often anymore, which is a shame, because even if they’re not always good, they’re usually interesting. Fortunately, boygenius, the group made up of indie/alt-rockers Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, are not just good, they’re great. The three women are among the sharpest tunesmiths around right now and together they explore the pitfalls of life and relationships with a novelist’s eye for nuance. Their debut full length, the record, is one of the year’s best releases.  

The group’s visit to Red Rocks, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, is one of the season’s most anticipated concerts. They’ll be joined by arthouse rockers illuminati hotties, making this a don’t-miss performance. Secure tickets at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.