DiRoma, Kornblum, Grabois, Heymann & More Set For National Touring Production Of AVENUE Q

Casting has been announced for the National Tour of AVENUE Q, presented by Work Light Productions. The three-time Tony Award winning musical, including Best Musical, Best Original Score of a Musical and Best Book of a Musical, is about trying to make it in New York with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

The cast of people and puppets includes Brent Michael DiRoma (Princeton, Rod), Tim Kornblum (Brian), Jacqueline Grabois (Kate Monster, Lucy The Slut & others), Jason Heymann (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & others) Lisa Helmi Johanson (Christmas Eve), Nigel Jamaal Clark (Gary Coleman), and Kerri Brackin (Mrs. T., Bear & others). Rounding out the cast are ensemble members Charles M. Baskerville, Ashley Eileen Bucknam, Joshua Holden, JuliAnna Lee and Zach Trimmer.

Brent Michael DiRoma, will play Princeton, a recent college graduate who moves to Avenue Q to find his purpose in life and Rod, a Republican investment banker. The roles of Kate Monster, the kindergarten teaching assistant who wants to find a boyfriend and start a special school for monsters, and Lucy The Slut, a sexy cabaret singer, will be played by Jacqueline Grabois.

Jason Heymann, joins the tour playing the roles of Nicky, Rod's roommate, a slacker; and Trekkie Monster, a reclusive porn addict. Nigel Jamaal Clark will play Gary Coleman, the former child star from the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. Tim Kornblum and Lisa Helmi Johanson will play, respectively, Brian, a 32-year old aspiring comedian and Christmas Eve, a feisty Japanese therapist, and Brian's fiancée.

The New York Times hailed AVENUE Q as "a breakthrough musical of a very different stripe. Savvy, sassy and delicious!" and Entertainment Weekly claimed it was "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see!"
AVENUE Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.
AVENUE Q is produced by Work Light Productions.

For more information on AVENUE Q visit www.AvenueQonTour.com.

Due to adult situations (like full-puppet nudity), AVENUE Q may be inappropriate for kids under 13.

National Tour CAST ? aUGUST 2009

KERRI BRACKIN (Mrs. T, Bear & others). National tour: Hairspray (Amber/Penny u/s). Regional includes Hula Hoop (Suzie), The Goodbye Girl (Lucy), Annie, Charlie Brown (Sally), Gypsy (June). Received her B.A. from University of Oklahoma, attended OU Law School, and got her M.S. from PACE in Psychology. Many thanks to the Tolan office, Price Group, Molly, and VP! For Alli (W.T.O.A.).

NIGEL JAMAAL CLARK (Gary Coleman) feels indescribably blessed to be living on Avenue Q, after competing in last year's Spelling Bee. All my love to my family, for always nagging at me to persevere. A special shout out to Adam Caldwell, Evan Ensign, and Work Light for this opportunity. Praise Jesus, who makes the impossible possible!

BRENT MICHAEL DiROMA (Princeton) is ecstatic to make his touring debut on Avenue Q! Regional: Wendall Williams Theatre; Once Upon A Mattress (Dauntless), Eight O'Clock Theatre; Smokey Joe's Café (Adrian), Eckerd Theatre; Battledrum (Jackson), You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Snoopy), Urinetown (Bobby). Off-Broadway: Cabaret Girl (Quibb). Love and thanks to family and friends who put him where he is today!

JACQUELINE GRABOIS (Kate Monster, Lucy, & others). Recent credits: National/International production of Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Shout! The Mod Musical (Red Girl). Other credits: Double V, Joseph, Into the Woods, Secret Garden. Vocals on StageStar Recordings of Spring Awakening and The Wizard of Oz. Member of ANMT, LA. Graduate of AMDA, NYC. Love to Mom & Dad and my teachers!!

JASON HEYMANN (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & others) is honored to be a part of Avenue Q! Regional: AMTP's Dangerous Beauty (dir. Sheryl Kaller), Saved! (dir. Gary Griffin). TV: "Gossip Girl" (CW). Recent graduate of Northwestern University (B.A. in Theatre), credits include Carousel, Holiday, The Boys from Syracuse and Waa-Mu. Love and gratitude to Mom, Miles, Hunter, Bernie, Anna, and friends. www. jasonheymann.com.

LISA HELMI JOHANSON (Christmas Eve) is thrilled to personify her favorite holiday. Off-Broadway: Three Sisters (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Women Beware Women (Red Bull Theatre); Off-Off-Broadway: Haters, T.A.B., Change; Regional: Quitters (TRR). Educational: Vocal Performance, B.M.; Musical Theatre, B.A.-Christopher Newport University. Sincere thanks to her family, friends, and church. www.LisaHelmiJohanson.com.

TIM KORNBLUM (Brian). Favorite credits include: Neil Simon's Laughter (Max Prince), Simon's Rumors (Lenny Ganz), and Les Misérables (Thenardier). Endless love and gratitude to his entire support system. Dedicated to the King of Softshoe, Pop Pop, and Tim's love, life, and purpose, Kyle.

CHARLES M. BASKERVILLE (Ensemble). Previous credits include the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar (starring Ted Neeley), the workshop of PUNK!: the Musical (Reggie K.), and Frank Wildhorn's Havana. Thanks to Cindy Tolan Casting, the amazing company of Avenue Q, The Luedtke Agency, The Broadway Theatre Project, and my friends and family!

ASHLEY EILEEN BUCKNAM (Ensemble). A native of New Jersey, Ashley is thrilled to be back on the road with Work Light Productions. National tours: The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, The Ant and the Elephant, Frankly Ben. Regional: Little Shop (Audrey), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Angel), Peter Pan (Peter). B.F.A. Theatre for Youth. Love to friends and family. www.ashleyeileen.com.

Joshua Holden (Ensemble). Puppets: The Selfish Giant (Chicago Children's Theatre), If All the World Were Paper (Oily Cart of London, CCT). Humans: The Nutcracker (House Theatre of Chicago), Kid Simple (American Theatre Company), Cymbeline (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks). Proud Massachusetts native, Walnut Hill alumni. B.F.A. in Theatre Performance, The Theatre Conservatory, Roosevelt University.

JULIAnna Lee (Ensemble) is beyond thrilled to make her professional debut in the cast of Avenue Q! Born and raised in Northern Virginia and currently studying Musical Theatre at James Madison University. Love to Mom, Halmony, Dave, family and friends for all your support! JAM!!

ZACH TRIMMER (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of this amazing show! National tours: Hairspray (Brad). Other favorite performances: Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy Smith), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), My Way (Man #2), among others. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, Steph, Nat, Nana, and Evan and Adam for making this all possible!

 

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