AVENUE Q Tony Winning Best Musical Opens Run At Andrews Living Arts

Avenue Q was the winner of the TONY "Triple Crown" for BEST MUSICAL, BEST SCORE and BEST BOOK in 2003. Director Robert D. Nation, will bring this deliciously naughty hit musical with its irresistible charm to Andrews Living Arts, 23 NW 5th St. Fort Lauderdale, 33301, beginning on April 6 for an unlimited run. With 2,534 performances, Avenue Q ranks 21st on the list of longest running shows in Broadway history.

Avenue Q is a musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and local Florida resident, Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty. Avenue Q is a coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. The musical uses puppets alongside human actors.

Avenue Q's unique presentation requires substantially more "suspension of disbelief" by audience members than normal. The cast consists of human characters as well as puppet characters who interact as if human, Sesame Street-style. For this production, ALA's cast includes: Nora Emmanuel, Peter Gorobetz, Rachel Klein-Muller, James Lott, Donni McCarthy, Christie Oliver, Kenneth Stigger, Pamela Stigger, Todd Storey, Clayton Stults, and Jay Reese. Vocal Director is Rachel Klein-Miller. Bert De Roos is Stage Managing.

The puppets are animated and voiced by actor/puppeteers who are present, unconcealed, and onstage, but remain "invisible" relative to the storyline. That is, the puppets and human characters completely ignore the puppeteers, and the audience is expected to do so as well.

The story takes place on a street in an "outer-outer borough" of New York City. The "characters" are young adults, searching for their "purpose" in life, and facing real-world adult problems with uncertain outcomes. The story line presupposes the existence of "monsters" and talking animals; and human actors sing, dance, and interact with puppets, both human and non-human. Warning: the characters use abundant profanity in dialogue and musical lyrics and there are episodes of "full puppet nudity" (and puppet "sex"); and many songs and sub-plots address decidedly adult themes, such as racism, pornography, homosexuality, and schadenfreude.  (The production officially disclaims any connection with either Sesame Workshop or The Jim Henson Company).

Avenue Q will preview at Andrews Living Arts on April 6 at 8 PM and April 7 at 2 PM. An extended run will begin April 12 with performances Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. Tickets are available on line at www.AndrewsLivingArts.com or through Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. Group rates available at 954-530-1879.

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