Sierra Stages' AVENUE Q Raises Over $2,800 for Hospitality House

During the first two weekends of performances, the cast of AVENUE Q raised over $2,800 for Hospitality House, Nevada County's community shelter for the homeless, through the generosity of audiences who have attended the show. The Sierra Stages production of AVENUE Q continues at the Nevada Theatre through August 3 with performances on Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sunday July 28 at 2 PM.

The Tony Award-winning musical has totally won over Nevada County audiences. With a cast of 11 humans and 28 puppets, AVENUE Q is a unique theatrical experience that tells the story of Princeton, a fresh-faced college grad, and his wacky new neighbors living way, way out on the outskirts of New York City on Avenue Q, where everyone's looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a "purpose".

Despite its adult language and "frat boy" humor, AVENUE Q is very much about the importance of community. Because one of the plot lines of AVENUE Q involves a character facing homelessness and one of the life lessons that Princeton and his wacky neighbors learn is the importance of giving and receiving, the cast decided to make a brief appeal to the audience each night to donate to a local charity that provides help to the homeless in our community. According to Sierra Stages board member and musical director Ken Getz, "The show has a tradition of giving back to the community beginning with the Broadway production, which raised funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, so we decided to continue that tradition by asking our audiences each night to help the homeless by contributing what they can to Hospitality House, and our audiences have been extremely generous!"

Hospitality House is a nonprofit community shelter for the homeless in Nevada County funded primarily by individual donations. The year-round shelter is a no-tolerance safe haven. Those seeking shelter at Hospitality House are offered three meals, along with laundry and shower facilities. Hospitality House is committed to ending homelessness by providing intensive case management services to all its guests. Executive Director Cindy Maple said, "Hospitality House is incredibly grateful to Sierra Stages for their performance of AVENUE Q and to the community for their generous support of our organization. It is both an honor and very humbling to watch the dedicated efforts of Sierra Stages be multiplied to benefit Hospitality House and our mission."

Sierra Stages is a tax-exempt not-for-profit community theatre with a goal to enrich the culture of western Nevada County by offering a wide range of quality theatrical experiences. For tickets or more information about AVENUE Q, visit www.SierraStages.org or call 530.346.3210. Ticket prices are $25 for General Admission and $35 for Reserved. Six free tickets are offered to college students age 25 and under (with a valid student ID - 1 ticket per ID) one hour before each performance at the door. Subject to availability, $15 Student Rush tickets are offered ½ hour before each performance at the door (students age 25 and under, with a valid student ID).

Please note: Due to adult situations (like puppet nudity) and adult language, AVENUE Q is not for the little ones or the faint of heart!

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