Photo Flash: AVENUE Q Comes to Playhouse on Park's Season Nine Main Stage

Playhouse on Park opens Season Nine Mainstage Series with musical comedy Avenue Q, music and lyrics by Jeff Marx and Robert Lopez and book by Jeff Whitty. Avenue Q runs from September 13-October 8.

Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, this puppet-filled comedy (fit for adults only) tells the timeless story of a recent college grad, Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. The story dives into work, relationships and purpose through witty dialogue and charming music. Hartt School Musical Theater Alum Kyle Brand returns to the Playhouse to direct Avenue Q.

Starring in this production, and also making their Playhouse on Park debuts, are: EJ Zimmerman (Broadway: Ensemble/ Eponine u/s LES MISERABLES; National Tour: Swing AVENUE Q; Riverside Theatre and Arvada Center: Kim MISS SAIGON (Henry Award); NYMF: Alicia STUCK, Chen I GOT FIRED) as Christmas Eve, Abena Mensah-Bonsu (NYC: Keesha WATER IS LIFE - NYMF, Harlem Ensemble RAGTIME on Ellis Island; Regional: Diva PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, ZACH Theater, Armelia AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - Oregon Cabaret Theater; Cruise Ship: Circle of Life Vocalist DISNEY CRUISE LINE; Upcoming: Season 6 of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) as Gary Coleman,
Weston Chandler Long (Off-Broadway: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW, THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW. National Tour: John Tartaglia'S IMAGINOCEAN! NYC: REUSABLE THE MUSICAL, TAKE THE PLUNGE! LUNA'S SEA. Puppetry: Sesame Street and The Muppets) as Princeton/Rod, James Fairchild (National Tour: BUDDY THE Buddy Holly STORY; Regional: THE FULL MONTY, THE PILLOWMAN, BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, THE 39 STEPS, BIBLE ABRIDGED, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and SISTER ACT) as Brian, and Colleen Welsh (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, The Drowsy Chaperone THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, and Trinculo/Antonio THE TEMPEST) as Mrs. Thistletwat/Bad Idea Bear Charlotte.

Returning to Playhouse on Park are: Ashley Brooke (Playhouse on Park: Susan [TITLE OF SHOW]; John W. Engeman Theater: Gertie Cummings OKLAHOMA!, Frenchy GREASE; Stage Door Theatre: Eve Arden THE KID FROM BROOKLYN; THE Danny Kaye MUSICAL, Debbi OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES; Allentown Shakespeare in the Park: Bianca OTHELLO) as Kate Monster/Lucy, and Peej Mele (Playhouse on Park: Hunter [TITLE OF SHOW], Bobby A CHORUS LINE, Sheldon JUNIE B. JONES; Off-Broadway: Peter PINKALICIOUS! THE MUSICAL. Regional: Igor YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN) as Nicky/Trekkie/Bad Idea Bear.

Kyle Brand is a NYC based actor, director, and choreographer. Regionally he has been seen in Mary Poppins (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Oliver (Pioneer Theatre Co.), Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia (Northern Stage), A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (Hartford Stage Co.), and Lincoln in Love (Goodspeed Musicals -Festival of New Artists). His directing credits include Altar Boyz (Playhouse on Park), Damn Yankees (Monomoy Theatre) and Titanic (The Hartt School). Bobby Tomasulo returns to Playhouse on Park as Music Director of Avenue Q.

Previews for Avenue Q are September 13 and 14. All preview seats are only $17.50! Opening night is Friday, September 15 at 8pm, with a wine and cheese reception beforehand.

This show offers a specially priced Tuesday matinee on Tuesday, September 26, at 2:00pm. All seats for this performance are only $22.50 per person, reserved seating. Additionally, a free Open Mic night is scheduled for Saturday, September 23 after the show! Every Sunday matinee includes a talk back with the cast.

Individual tickets are now on sale, ranging from $40 to $50, all seats reserved. Seniors, Students, and Let's Go Arts Member discounts are available. Additionally, Season Nine Mainstage Subscriptions are still available, with a 20% savings over individual tickets. For tickets or more information, call our box office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.

Photos courtesy Curt Henderson, Imagine It Framed.

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