Photo Flash: First Look at Sam Ludwig, Rachel Zampelli & The Cast of Olney Theatre Center's AVENUE Q

Olney Theatre Center, a Maryland destination for professional theater performance and education, continues its critically-acclaimed 76thAnniversary season with Avenue Q, winner of the 2004 Tony Award® for Best Musical, is currently running through July 6, 2014 on the Mainstage. Check out a first look below!

Jason Loewith, Artistic Director of Olney Theatre Center, director of this season's How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and co-writer and director of Studio Theatre's recent production of Adding Machine: A Musical, directs the production. Mr. Loewith is joined by Helen Hayes Award-winning Music Director Christopher Youstra and Choreographer Helen Hayes Award-winner Bobby Smith.

The cast is led by Sam Ludwig as Princeton. Opposite Mr. Ludwig is Rachel Zampelli, making her Olney Theatre debut as Kate Monsterand Lucy the Slut. Ms. Zampelli recently appeared in the Ford's Theatre production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.Joining Mr. Ludwig and Ms. Zampelli are Olney Theatre Center veterans Evan Casey (Brian), Kellee Knighten Hough (Gary Coleman), Stephen Gregory Smith (Trekkie Monster/Nicky), and Janine Sunday (Christmas Eve) and Olney Theatre Center newcomer Tracey Stephens (Mrs. Thistletwat). Rounding out the cast are David Landstrom and Awa Sal Secka.

The award-winning design team includes Scenic Designer Court Watson, Helen Hayes Award-winning Lighting Designer Andrew Griffin, Sound DesignerMax Krembs, Projection Designer JJ Kaczynski, and features the return of Costume Designer Rosemary Pardee.

Avenue Q is made possible in part by contributions from production sponsors Kevin White and Rossana Salvadori, Joan E. Dubinsky and Craig N. Packard, and Kathleen Quinn.

Photo Credit: Stan Barouh