AVENUE Q To Make Omaha Debut, Runs 3/25 - 3/29

Avenue Q – the three-time Tony Award® winning smash-hit Broadway musical about real life in New York City, is coming to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater. Avenue Q, as told by a cast of people and puppets through a hilariously irreverent award-winning book and score, will be presented by Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America - Omaha, Wednesday, March 25 through Sunday, March 29, 2009. Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, February 12.

Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone's looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a "purpose." Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that "the real world" isn't so bad, after all!

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!"

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

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; and is directed by Jason Moore; puppet design by Rick Lyon, 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. (see below for additional information on the creative staff) Avenue Q is produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

Avenue Q will run at the Orpheum Theater Wednesday, March 25 through Sunday, March 29.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings; 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings; and matinee performances on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Tickets are $28 to $60 and are available through Ticket Omaha, 402-345-0606; at Ticket Omaha in the Holland Performing Arts Center, 13th and Douglas streets, Omaha, NE or online at TicketOmaha.org. For group sales call 402- 661-8516 or toll-free 866-434-8587 and ask for Group Sales.

For more information on Avenue Q visit www.avenueq.com.

Robert Lopez (Music and Lyrics, Original Concept, Animation Design) is still reeling from winning the 2004 Tony Award for Best Score for Avenue Q, which has been produced in New York, Vegas, London, Stockholm, Helsinki, and now this tour! Bobby’s musical version of Finding Nemo, co-written with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, is currently playing in Walt Disney World. In 2007, he co-wrote songs for a musical episode of NBC’s “Scrubs.” He and his brother Billy Lopez have written music for Nick Jr’s “The Wonder Pets!” and Disney’s “Johnny and the Sprites.” Bobby is busy at work on lots of new projects. He grew up in Greenwich Village, graduated Yale 1997 (with a BA in English!) and now lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.

Jeff Marx (Music and Lyrics). B'way debut. Jeff would like to take this opportunity to plug his book, How To Win A High School Election. A serious guide for student council candidates, it has sold over 15,000 copies and can be found in bookstores and on the internet. This is Jeff's first musical. He is now living in Los Angeles, writing various projects with different collaborators. He went to L.A.. to work on the musical episode of “Scrubs,” loved it there, and stayed. He has a law degree, a Tony Award, a Mustang convertible, and a wonderfully sweet rescue doggie named Princeton. Many thanks to the hundreds of people whose contributions helped make Avenue Q a reality.

Jeff Witty (Book) won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Avenue Q. Plays include The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler (next appearing in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 2008 season), The Hiding Place, The Plank Project, Suicide Weather, and Balls. Theaters presenting his work include the Atlantic Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, the Vineyard Theater, the New Group, and New York Stage and Film/Vassar. Currently at work on the libretto for a musical version of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City. As an actor, he has appeared regionally, Off-Broadway, and in film and TV. For more information visit his website: www.Whitless.com.

Jason Moore (Director). Broadway: Shrek, Steel Magnolias, Avenue Q. Off-Broadway: Jerry Springer The Opera (Carnegie Hall), Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q, Guardians, The Crumple Zone. Regional: Vices (Mixed Blood Theatre, Minnesota), Opening Day (Powerhouse Theatre, Los Angeles). Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, National Tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV: episodes of “Dawson's Creek,” “Everwood,” “One Tree Hill” and “Brothers and Sisters.”

Omaha Performing Arts is the locally based arts organization that manages Omaha’s Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center as well as Ticket Omaha, a customer-friendly ticketing service. The mission of Omaha Performing Arts is to enrich lives through the presentation of the highest quality local, national and international artistic performances. Through Omaha Performing Arts’ presenting partnership with Broadway Across America, the finest in Broadway touring productions is presented. Omaha Performing Arts also is deeply committed to outreach and education efforts to support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. More information can be found at OmahaPerformingArts.org.

Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced Irving Berlin’s White Christmas on Broadway, while current and upcoming productions include West Side Story, Blithe Spirit, Minksy's, and the DeafWest production of Pippin. Broadway tours include Dora the Explorer, Frost/Nixon, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fiddler on the Roof.

For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. Broadway Across America also is dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. For more information go to www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

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