Advanced Search

Advanced Search
Avenue Q

Avenue Q ()

Produced by

Aged in Wood Productions and Vineyard Theatre

Presented by

Dancap Productions Inc.

Developed by

The New Group

Creator: Robert Lopez
Music: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Lyrics: Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Book: Jeff Whitty
Director: Jason Moore

Venue

Elgin Theatre

Run

July 29th, 2008 – August 31st, 2008

Synopsis

“What if there were a show like “Sesame Street” for young adults?”  That is the conceit behind Avenue Q, the clever, quirky musical that won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2004 now playing in Toronto courtesy of Dancap Productions.  Humans interact with puppets in discussing such issues as racism, homosexuality, homelessness and porn all in the tuneful, wide-eyed style of kiddie shows.  The constant source of humour is the clash between the innocence of the presentation and the seriousness of the content.

We follow the story of the puppet Princeton (Robert McClure), fresh from university and unemployed, as he moves into Avenue Q, the only run-down neighbourhood in New York where he can afford to live.  There he meets the failed human comic Brian (Cole Porter) and his human Asian-American girlfriend Christmas Eve (Angela Ai), puppet kindergarten teacher Kate Monster (Anika Larsen), closeted gay Republican puppet Rod (also McClure) who has a crush on his slacker roommate Nicky (David Benoit), the porn-addicted puppet Trekkie Monster (also Benoit) and their building superintendent, former child star human Gary Coleman (Danielle K. Thomas).  Together they sing such catchy, perky songs as “It Sucks to Be Me,” “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” “The Internet is for Porn” and “Schadenfreude.”  With its adult content, expletives and an extended, very funny puppet sex scene, this is not a show for children. (stage-door.com)


Cast

Robert McClure Princeton / Rod
Cole Porter Brian
Anika Larsen Kate Monster / Lucy / Others
David Benoit Nicky / Trekkie Monster / Bear / Others
Angela Ai Christmas Eve
Danielle K. Thomas Gary Coleman
Maggie Lakis Mrs. T / Bear / Others / Understudy for Kate Monster/Lucy
Lexy Fridell Ensemble / Understory for Kate Monster/Lucy, Christmas Eve
Zonya Love Ensemble / Understudy for Gary Coleman
Jed Resnick Ensemble (July 29 - August 10) / Understudy for Princeton/Rod, Brian, Nicky/Trekkie/Bear
Seth Rettberg Ensemble (August 10 - August 31) / Understudy for Princeton/Rod, Brian, Nicky/Trekkie/Bear
Jennie Kwan Swing / Understudy for Christmas Eve
Cullen Titmas Swing / Understudy for Princeton/Rod, Brian, Nicky/Trekkie/Bear
Erica Robinson Swing / Understudy for Gary Coleman

Creative Team

Robert Lopez Based On An Original Concept By
Jeff Marx Based On An Original Concept By
Robert Lopez Music
Jeff Marx Music
Robert Lopez Lyrics
Jeff Marx Lyrics
Jeff Whitty Book
Jason Moore Director
Rick Lyon Puppets Conceived and Designed By
Anna Louizos Set Designer
Mirena Rada Costume Designer
Howell Binkley Lighting Designer
Tom Clark Sound Design (Acme Sound Partners)
Mark Menard Sound Design (Acme Sound Partners)
Nevin Steinberg Sound Design (Acme Sound Partners)
Robert Lopez Animation Design
Gary Adler Incidental Music
Stephen Oremus Music Arrangements
Stephen Oremus Orchestrations
Evan Ensign Associate Director
Andrew Graham Musical Director
Ken Roberson Choreographer
Amyee Garcia Puppet Coach
Todd Potter Associate Set Designer
Karl A. Ruckdeschel Associate Costume Designer
Sten Severson Associate Sound Designer
Ryan O’Gara Associate Lighting Designer
Seth Rettberg Dance Captain

Music

Andrew Graham Conductor
Andrew Graham Keyboard
Anthony Travaglini Keyboard 2
Aaron Irwin Reeds
Rich Dart Drums
Tyler Williams Bass
Brien Brannigan Guitars
Flint Hawes Associate Conductor

Production

Joel Rosen Stage Manager
Marian DeWitt Production Stage Manager
Michael Keller Music Coordinator
Rick Lyon Puppet Builder (The Lyon Puppets)
Cindy Tolan Casting
Brian Lynch Technical Director
Brian Lynch Technical Supervisor
Scott A. Moore Director of Marketing
John S. Corker General Manager
Jeff Klein Company Manager
Sonny Everett Associate Producer
Walter Grossman Associate Producer
Mort Swinksy Associate Producer
Katrina Stevens Assistant Stage Manager
Julia R. Baldwin Assistant Company Manager
Adam Caldwell Casting Associate
Stephen Oremus Musical Supervision
Michael Hannah Wardrobe Supervisor
Hilary Knox Automated Light Programmer
Justin Garvey Production Carpenter
Keith Buchanan Production Electrician
Ron Groomes Production Prop Master
Jeff Sharratt Head Carpenter
Bill Hopkins Head Electrician
Daniel Scheivert Head Audio Engineer
Christian Young Prop Master
Tyler Smutz Flyman
Jerry Tisdale Head Spotlight Operator
JJ Hillman Assistant Audio Engineer
Fran Curry Assistant Prop Manager
Brett Jarvis Sound and Video Design Effects
Jim Abbott Synthesizer Programming
Randy Cohen Associate Synthesizer Programming
Emily Grishman Music Copying
Emily Grishman Music Preparation
Nick Lugo General Management Associate
Andrew Jones Management Assistant
Ryan Hill Executive Assistant to Messrs. McCollum and Seller
Jessica White Assistant to Ms. Goodman
Kim Marie Vasquez Assistant to Mr. Corker
Tanya Grubich Tour Marketing & Publicity
Laura Matalon Tour Marketing & Publicity
Marya K. Peters Tour Marketing & Publicity
John Gilmour Tour Marketing & Publicity
Sam Rudy General Press Representation
Dale Heller General Press Representation
Bob Lasko General Press Representation
Charlie Siedenburg General Press Representation
Meredith Blair Tour Direction
Kara Gebhart Tour Direction