AVENUE Q Creators Talk Show History To The The New York Times

The Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q celebrated its 6th anniversary on Broadway on Friday, July 31 at the Golden Theatre (252 W. 45 St.) in New York City.

The Tony winning creative team, as well as original cast member Ann Harada, take a look back at the Broadway favorite. To read the article click here.

The show opened to much critical and popular acclaim on July 31, 2003, going on to win three Tony Awards -- including Best Musical in 2004. Following its sold-out debut Off-Broadway at The Vineyard Theatre in the spring of 2003, AVENUE Q began previews on Broadway on July 14, 2003.

Now more than six years and over 2,500 performances later, AVENUE Q will end its unprecedented Broadway run on September 13, 2009. Upon closing, AVENUE Q will have played 2, 534 performances, surpassing such landmark musicals as "Annie," "Oklahoma," and "The Producers" to become the 20th longest-running show in Broadway history.

A cast comprised of original cast members, members from the U.S. national touring production and the Las Vegas company of AVENUE Q are performing the musical now through the end of its run: Ann Harada as Christmas Eve; Robert McClure as Princeton/Rod, Anika Larsen as Kate Monster/Lucy, Christian Anderson as Trekkie Monster/Nicky, Nicholas Kohn as Brian, Danielle K. Thomas as Gary Coleman and Jennifer Barnhart as Mrs. T and others.

A 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

The musical is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

In addition to its long run on Broadway, AVENUE Q spawned a 2005 Las Vegas production, a 2006 West End production and a U.S. national tour, which recently concluded a phenomenally successful two-year engagement.

The Broadway production of AVENUE Q -- which recouped its $3.5 million capitalization in just 10 months after opening -- has gone on to gross more than $119 million dollars (to date), and has returned $23,5000,000 to its investors (to date).

For performance and ticket information to AVENUE Q, call Tele-charge at 212 239 6200 or visit www.avenueq.com

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