Avenue Q announces its Off-Broadway cast
The producers of the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, transferring from its 6-year run on Broadway to New World Stages in New York, with previews set to begin 9 Oct 2009, have announced casting for the Off-Broadway production along with the official opening night, now scheduled for 21 Oct 2009.
The cast for Avenue Q at New World Stages will be comprised of "Q alumni" representing the musical's Broadway, Las Vegas and 1st National Tour companies: Anika Larsen (from the final Broadway cast and previously from the National Tour) as 'Kate Monster/Lucy,' Seth Rettberg (Broadway and National Tour) as 'Princeton/Rod,' Cullen Titmus (National Tour) as 'Nicky/Trekkie Monster,' Danielle K. Thomas (final Broadway cast and National Tour) as 'Gary Coleman,' Sala Iwamatsu (Broadway) as 'Christmas Eve,' Nicholas Kohn (final Broadway company and Las Vegas) as 'Brian' and Maggie Lakis (National Tour) as Mrs. T/Bad Idea Bear.
The producers of Avenue Q, which played over 2,500 on Broadway and concluded its run as the 20th longest-running show in Broadway history, surprised theatergoers on 13 Sep 2009 when they announced from the stage following the final curtain that the show would, in fact, not close and would move from the John Golden Theatre to New World Stages for an open-end run Off-Broadway.
At New World Stages, Avenue Q will have a Rush Ticket: $26.50 for the front row of the orchestra seats on the day of the performance. Rush Tickets are available for all performances and can be purchased (subject to availability) during New World Stages Box Office hours. Tickets are limited 2 per person.
With a cast comprised of people and puppets, Avenue Q is musical about 20-somethings who move to the city with big dreams and tiny bank accounts.
Avenue Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, and is directed by Jason Moore. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, with puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon, Avenue Q has musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.
The musical is produced at New World Stages by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.
Winner of three 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score ( Lopez and Marx) and Best Book of a Musical (Whitty), Avenue Q opened on Broadway in July 2003, having transferred to the John Golden Theatre from an extended sold-out engagement Off-Broadway at The Vineyard Theatre in Union Square.
During its six-plus years on Broadway, Avenue Q played a total of 2,534 performances, surpassing such musicals as 'The Producers,' Oklahoma!' and Annie to become, at present, the 20th longest-running show in Broadway history.
Some 2 million people saw Avenue Q on Broadway, with countless others having enjoyed the musical in London's West End and on the show's U.S. National Tour.
The off-Broadway run at New World Stages / Stage 3 will be produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.
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