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, celebrated Opening Night on October 21, 2009. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to capture all the "furry" fun!
Producer Kevin McCollum also started a new ritual with the Avenue Q cast, the "rubbing of the Q towel", because the show didn't throw in the towel when it closed on Broadway! The cast and creative team all rubbed the furry towel before the show began and BWW was there for the exclusive pictures of the fun event!
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.
At New World Stages, AVENUE Q has 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.
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.
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff and Julia Murney
Jenifer Foote and Jenn Colella
Ken Roberson, Jeff Whitty and Stephen Oremus
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman and Ken Davenport
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman and Ken Davenport
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman and Ken Davenport
Nicholas Kohn, Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore and Robyn Goodman
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman, Ken Davenport and the cast
The Avenue Q cast 'rubs the towel'
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman and Ken Davenport
Kevin McCollum, Jason Moore, Robyn Goodman and Ken Davenport
Ken Davenport and the Avenue Q gang
Kevin McCollum and Jason Moore
Kevin McCollum and Jason Moore and the cast and creative team
Kevin McCollum and Jason Moore
Kevin McCollum and Jason Moore
Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Robyn Goodman
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