Avenue Q Tour Hits SF Aug 7, Rush Tix Available

Avenue Q launches its national tour in San Francisco beginning August 7; opening August 8 at the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market at 8th) through September 2.  The three-time Tony Award-winning musical (Best Musical, Best Original Score of a Musical and Best Book of a Musical), features a cast of thirteen veteran performers, many from the Las Vegas and Broadway productions of the show. Avenue Q is the eighth and final show of the 2006-2007 Best of Broadway season, brought to you by Citibank, under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays.

"Irreverent, fun and risqué, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account," states press notes. The cast of people and puppets includes Robert McClure (Princeton, Rod), Cole Porter (Brian), Kelli Sawyer (Kate Monster, Lucy The Slut & others), Christian Anderson (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & others) Angela Ai (Christmas Eve), Carla Renata (Gary Coleman), and Minglie Chen (Mrs. T., Bear & others).   Rounding out the cast are ensemble members and swings Jennie Kwan, Maggie Lakis, Seth Rettberg, Erica Robinson, Danielle Thomas, and Cullen R. Titmas.

Directed by Jason Moore, 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; Puppet design is 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.

Performance schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8PM; Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 2PM.

Tickets ($30-$90) and can be purchased online at www.shnsf.com, through Ticketmaster by calling 415-512-7770, at www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers and at the Orpheum Theatre Box Office (1192 Market at 8th St., Mon-Sat, 10AM-6PM).  For groups of 15 or more, call Group Sales at 415-551-2020.  

A limited number of $25 "limited view" orchestra rush seats will be made available for every performance of Avenue Q, playing August 7 through September 2 at the Orpheum Theatre.   The $25 tickets go on sale at the Orpheum Theatre box office, on the day of performance only, two hours prior to the show and are available to anyone, cash only, with a limit of two tickets per person. These tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis and are void if resold.   Photo ID must be presented at the time of purchase.

To learn more about Avenue Q and other SHN shows, please visit www.shnsf.com.