For many of us, the idea of life after college is really scary. Some might be excited to be launched out in the real world, finally gaining some ground on that career that they have been dreaming of for years, but for most, we wish would could stay at Stanford for the rest of our lives. In “Avenue Q,” one of the most popular musicals of the decade, the lead character Princeton deals with this issue head on.

This parody of “Sesame Street” deals with the aforementioned recent college grad, his assimilation into the real world and his journey to find his “purpose.” Along the way he meets Kate Monster, a girl who has always wanted to open up a special monster school, Nicky and Rod (a Bert and Ernie-like duo that deal with homosexuality), Gary Coleman and a Cookie Monster that uses the Internet exclusively for porn and never leaves his apartment.

Sound pretty mature for puppets? That’s because it is. Intended for mature audiences only, “Avenue Q” is chock-full of inappropriate, crude and raunchy dialogue, not to mention a sex scene. That’s right–full puppet nudity. The Bad Idea Bears, who happen to look exactly like Care Bears, plant ideas in Princeton’s head like drinking games, one night stands and hanging himself. Songs like “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” and “You Can Be As Loud as the Hell You Want When You’re Making Love” will make you laugh until you cry.

However, this show doesn’t stand alone on lewd dialogue and inappropriate musical numbers. The technical aspects are something to be marveled at as well. Giant televisions descend to show “Sesame Street”-like vignettes, dealing with subjects like one-night stands and schadenfreude (feeling happiness at the expense of somebody else’s pain). The actors are puppet masters, managing to convey emotion through both their actual bodies and the puppets’. It became a conundrum when deciding whom to watch.

While “Avenue Q’s” run in San Jose seems far too short, expect this relatable and hilarious musical to stick around for quite some time. Through all of the smut and expletives, it teaches us a message–things may be bad at the moment, but everything in life is only for now.

Few musicals ever address themes like education, pornography, racism and homosexuality. Even fewer shows address these themes with an ensemble of puppets. “Avenue Q,” the Broadway show that has swept the nation, is coming to San Jose for a limited engagement from Jan. 12 to Jan. 17. Intermission got to sit down with Princeton, the star puppet of the show ask him what life after college is really like.

Intermission(i): Is college really the happiest time of our lives? Is there nothing else to look forward to?

Princeton (P): College was a BLAST, it’s true. And since I graduated, life definitely has [had] its share of ups and downs. But, something good is coming, I can feel it. You never know what’ll happen next!

i: What advice would you give to those who actually are getting their B.A.s in English?

P: Make sure the companies you work for aren’t laying employees off before their first day. That was rough.

i: Stanford is located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, where the Internet is being further developed every day. Is the Internet really just for porn?

P: Well, my neighbor, Trekkie Monster, seems to think so. And, for me, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t PART of my Internet experience. But, I use it for other things too…I swear…

i: You’ve had your share of relationship problems. Do you have any love advice to give?

P: Honestly, I’m the last person to ask about love advice! No matter what I do, it seems like I’m always screwing up! I’m getting better, though…I think.