When it closes, the puppet-friendly musical about young men, women and their furry friends searching for purpose while exploring the ups and downs of life will have played 22 previews and 2,534 performances.
After an acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre, Avenue Q began previews at Broadway's Golden Theatre July 10, 2003, and officially opened July 31. The original cast included Jennifer Barnhart, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jordan Gelber, Ann Harada, Rick Lyon, John Tartaglia and Natalie Venetia Belcon.
Original cast member Barnhart remained for the show's entire run. Ann Harada, who triumphed as Christmas Eve, recently returned to the production for the final weeks. The last Broadway cast also includes Anika Larsen (Xanadu; All Shook Up; Rent; Shafrika, the White Girl) as Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut, Robert McClure (I'm Not Rapport) as Princeton/Rod, Danielle K. Thomas as Gary Coleman, Christian Anderson as Trekkie Monster and Nicholas Kohn as Brian with ensemble members Minglie Chen and Seth Rettberg.
In a recent statement producer Robyn Goodman said, "We will miss our furry friends on 45th Street but are very proud of their longevity." About Republican puppet Rod, Goodman added, "A disappointed Rod was hoping for an Obama bail out and swore he would turn Democrat if it happened."
Capitalized at $3.5 million, Avenue Q recouped its full investment in ten months on Broadway. As of June 21, the musical had grossed $117,009,852 and had returned $23,500,000 to its investors to date. Major productions have also played Las Vegas, London, Australia and the road. Avenue Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, a book by Jeff Whitty and direction by Jason Moore. The musical was produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.
Puppets were conceived and designed by original cast member Rick Lyon. The production has 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.
The musical won 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Jeff Whitty) and Best Original Score (Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx).
For more information visit www.avenueq.com. For tickets call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.
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As the Tony Award-winning Jeff Marx-Robert Lopez-Jeff Whitty musical Avenue Q ends its six-year run at Broadway's Golden Theatre, we thought we'd take a look back at the musical via its Playbill.com coverage.
What follows are links to various Avenue Q-related news articles, special features, photo calls and audio and video offerings that have appeared on Playbill.com since the puppet-friendly musical's Off-Broadway debut at the Vineyard Theatre.
We hope you enjoy traveling down Avenue Q.
Once-TV-Bound Avenue Q Evolves Into New Off-Broadway Musical
Puppets and People Sing in New Musical Avenue Q Off-Broadway, Feb. 20
Brought To You by the Letter Q: Puppet Musical Avenue Q Opens Off-Broadway, March 19
THE LEADING MEN: A ‘Phantom’ phenom—McGillin, Tartaglia & Gurland
Avenue Q to Move to Broadway's Golden July 31
Uptown-Bound: Director Moore Preps Avenue Q for a Broadway Upgrade
Puppets Take Manhattan as Musical Avenue Q Opens on Broadway, July 31
DIVA TALK: Ecstasy on Avenue Q Plus Buckley and Carmello on Disc
DIVA TALK: A Chat with Avenue Q's Stephanie D'Abruzzo Plus News of Egan, Holliday and MORE
Fantasies Come True: Broadway's Avenue Q Cast Recording Released Oct. 7
ON THE RECORD: Q, "Boston" and Herman
DIVA TALK: Avenue Q and Fiddler Spread Joy at Easter Bonnet
Give Us Your Money! Musical Avenue Q Recoups Investment on Broadway; Tour Next
PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Jeff Whitty
Avenue Q to Play Vegas, Not the Road
PHOTO CALL: Avenue Q Turns a Big One Year Old on Broadway
PLAYBILL ON-LINE'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Rick Lyon
DIVA TALK: Chatting with Avenue Q's Jennifer Barnhart
Bush and Kerry (Puppets) Battle on Broadway at Times Square Avenue Q Debate
DIVA TALK: Catching Up with Avenue Q's Ann Harada
THE LEADING MEN: Tartaglia Departs
DIVA TALK: Q Gals Reminisce as Tartaglia Departs the Avenue
Tony Winner Avenue Q Is Two Years Old on Broadway July 31
Give Us Your Money! Wynn Las Vegas Bets on New Avenue Q, Run Starts Aug. 27
THE LEADING MEN: Here’s Johnny!
Still, Only For Now: Avenue Q Reaches 1,000 Performances on Broadway, Dec. 22
Kate Monster To Be Flower Girl and Nicky Ring Bearer at Avenue Q Stars’ Vegas Wedding
What You Talking 'Bout, Whitty? Avenue Q Bookwriter Reveals Character Change for London
Puppeteer, "Who Lives in Canada," Wins Avenue Q's "One Night Stand"
Avenue Q Opens in London June 28
Brought to You by the Number 3: Tony-Winning Musical Avenue Q Reaches End of Third Year on Broadway
THE LEADING MEN: Brian d'Arcy James and Howie Michael Smith
NBC's "Scrubs" to Feature Musical Episode with Songs by Q Composers
Audio: Stephanie D’Abruzzo podcast
A Furry Home Companion: "Avenue Q: The Book" Is Now Available
"Fantasies Come True": Avenue Q Plays 1,500th Broadway Performance March 4
PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: John Tartaglia
PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Ann Harada
Fantasies Come True: Avenue Q Launches National Tour from San Diego June 30
"Only 4 Now": Avenue Q Hits Fourth Anniversary on Broadway
Video: Don't Quit Your Day Job: A Talk with Avenue Q's Mrs. T
PHOTO CALL: Avenue Q Set Gets Frosted on "Ace of Cakes"
Puppet Pleaser- Meet Robert McClure
Avenue Q Celebrates Fifth Birthday July 31; Alumni Invited
Audio: Christy Carlson Romano podcast
DIVA TALK: Chatting with Avenue Q's Christy Carlson Romano
PHOTO CALL: Avenue Q's Rod Urges America to Vote Nov. 4
Avenue Q Launches "Only for Now" Lyric Contest
Avenue Q "Only for Now" Lyric Contest Yields Four Possibilities
Avenue Q Creators Decide to Keep Bush Reference in "For Now" Finale
DIVA TALK: Chatting with Shafrika and Avenue Q's Anika Larsen Plus Next to Normal on CD
Avenue Q to Close in September
London's Avenue Q Extends to January 2010
Tony Winner Avenue Q Turns Six on Broadway
PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Lucy The Slut
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