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Music
and Lyrics by Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx
Book by Jeff Whitty
OPENING THIS WEEKEND!
Fri/Sat at
8 PM through August 19
Sundays July 30, Aug 6 & 13 at 2 PM
$20 (discounts for students, seniors, groups)
Direction by Will C.
Crosby
Musical Direction by Carey Knox
Choreography and Costume Design by Kaylea
Kudlaty
Stage Management by Jeannie Clarkson
When
many of us were small children, we learned how
to take on the new experiences and challenges of
our lives by watching Sesame Street. Friendly
adults and furry puppets taught us through
catchy songs about neighbors, jobs, friendships,
love, and fear (along with a healthy dose of
letters and numbers.) AVENUE Q, winner of the
Tony Award "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best
Score (music and lyrics by Robert Lopez &
Jeff Marx), and Best Book (by Jeff Whitty),
applies the same style of cheery music and
puppetry to the decidedly adult problems of
post-college life. The result is a unique,
outrageous, and often touching piece of theater.
AVENUE
Q chronicles a group of diverse twentysomethings
- humans, human puppets, and 'monsters' - as
they attempt to find love, happiness and a sense
of purpose. The central character is Princeton
(Tim Schuerger), a recent graduate who settles
on the fictional, far-flung Avenue Q in southern
Brooklyn — the only place in New York City that
he can afford. There he befriends out-of-work
comedian Brian (Patrick Hanlon) and his fiancée
Christmas Eve (Evie Koh); Nicky (Tony Heffner)
the good-hearted slacker and his closeted gay
Republican banker roommate Rod (Rob Walter); the
internet-porn-addicted Trekkie Monster (Michael
J. Rogan); and school teacher Kate Monster
(Natalie Kreft). The building's superintendent
is Gary Coleman (Day Ash). Yes, that Gary
Coleman. The ensemble is rounded out by Sara
Saltzer, Zachary Vederman, Jackie Manno, and
Ronald Thompson.
The
gang tackle themes of bigotry, social class,
fiscal management, relationships, sexuality, and
race through delightful songs like "It Sucks to
be Me," "My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada,"
and "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?"
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