More 'Purpose', AVENUE Q Opens Off-Broadway 10/21!

The producers of the Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q, transferring from its 6-year run on Broadway to New World Stages (340 West 50 Street) in New York, celebrate Opening Night this evening, October 21, 2009. 

The cast for AVENUE Q at New World Stages is 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 September 13th, 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 (Messrs. Lopez and Marx) and Best Book of a Musical (Mr. Whitty), AVENUE Q became an overnight sensation on Broadway in July 2003, having transferred to the John Golden Theatre from a wildly successful, extended and 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 enormously successful U.S. National Tour. On Broadway, the musical attracted audiences including a former President (Bill Clinton), a U.S. Senator (Hillary Clinton), celebrities including Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, Zac Efron, Kelly Clarkson, Carol Burnett, Charlton Heston, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Hillary Swank, Jennifer Aniston, Sean Penn and Judge Judy, all of whom have enjoyed the wit and wisdom of the musical with such popular songs as "It Sucks to be Me," "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "The Internet is for Porn" and "Schaudenfreude."

At the 499-seat theatre at New World Stages, AVENUE Q will perform Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. Tickets - which are currently on-sale - will range in price from $86.50 to $66.50 and are available by calling Tele Charge 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com. Rush tickets for $26.50 are available at the box office.

Visit the Avenue Q website at www.avenueq.com

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