Novato Theater Co. Stages AVENUE Q, Now thru 11/9

Novato Theater Company brings on that risqué array of puppets and people in the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Avenue Q. Veteran director Carl Jordan, an SFBATCC award-winner, helms the show, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and book by Jeff Whitty. Music director is Monica Norcia. Avenue Q runs October 10 through November 9 at the NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive in Novato.

Director Carl Jordan comes to Avenue Q with a proven track record. In 2013, NTC received 10 nominations and six awards in various categories from the San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle for Noises Off and Nunsense, both directed by Jordan. Carl himself received a best director's award for Noises Off and best choreographer for Nunsense.

Featured in the cast are Alexander Belmont, Peter Carroll Melissa Claire, Seth Dahlgren, Hannah Jester, Mia Klenk, Amanda Morando, Robert Nelson, and Dell Parker.

Avenue Q is often called "the adult Sesame Street" The outrageous romp features both puppets and human actors and is known for its high-energy, naughty fun. Most of the characters in the show are puppets, operated by actors onstage. Both the human characters and puppet characters sing. The musical is set in several tenements on a street in New York City.

Several characters are recognizably parodies of puppets from that famous street. However, the Avenue Q gang are in their twenties and thirties and face grown-up problems. According to the official site, the musical is appropriate for both adults and mature teenagers.

After a run lasting more than six years and 2,534 performances, the Broadway production of Avenue Q, which won the Tony triple crown of Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, closed on September 13, 2009. The production ranked as the 21st longest running show in Broadway history at the time of its closing. (Source: Wikipedia.)

Avenue Q plays October 10 through November 9, with one preview tonight, October 9 at 7:30 p.m.. Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets $25, with special pricing for Seniors and NTC Members. Online ticketing at www.novatotheatercompany.org. NTC Playhouse, 5420 Nave Drive, Novato.

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