Genesius Theatre brings the runaway critical and popular success, described as — “Sesame Street meets South Park” — to Greater Reading, in the 2004 Tony Award Best Musical of the Year, smash-hit, Avenue Q. This delightful parody that dares to ask the question, “What do you do with a B.A. in English?” is on stage October 7 to October 16.
Avenue Q has long been the darling of both Broadway and off-Broadway theatres, selling out to delighted audiences consistently since its inception. The irreverent take on the joys and travails of making it on your own strike a chord with audiences young and old alike. Don’t miss this hilarious show.
Avenue Q garnered three Tony Awards in 2004 for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book of a Musical. This funny and irreverent comedy conveys life’s tough lessons through the trials and tribulations of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, who is anxious to discover his purpose in life; but first, he must find an apartment and a job, with no work experience — just like the other characters living on Avenue Q!
Join Princeton along with these crazy puppets for this toe-tapping, hilarious and often moving musical that the New York Times declared to be “a breakthrough musical of a very different stripe…savvy, sassy and delicious!” But, be forewarned, due to adult situations, like full-puppet nudity, Avenue Q may be inappropriate for children under 15.
The production is described as “the place you live when you can’t afford to live anyplace else,” The show is set on a street in New York City where people and puppets live as neighbors and deal with some of life’s most thorny issues: romance, sex, money, career, rent and other matters unmentionable.
Avenue Q is directed by long-time local actor/director and Genesius’ production manager, Becka Malanios. The show is produced by Genesius Artistic Director, L J Fecho, music directed and conducted by Kevin Cooper, choreographed by Jennifer Parker Scott, scenic and lighting design is by Zack Spadaccia, sound design by Albert Garcia, and stage managed by Lorna Graham.
Genesius has assembled a very strong and talented cast of musical theater comedians to make up this robust, zany, and above all, joyful comedy ensemble, which includes: Kate Monster – Gabrielle Lewis, Princeton – Jonathan Erkert, Nicky- Jack Haggerty, Rod- Collin T. Bollinger, Trekkie Monster- Strat Yost, Lucy- Meredith Stone, Bad Idea Bears – Andrea Keck, Danielle Pflum, Mrs. T – Beatrice Bayberry, Newcomer- Corey Wrage, Brian – Kevin Adams, Christmas Eve- Cecilia Cooper and Gary Coleman- Yvonne Newton.
Who is Avenue Q appropriate for? Adults love Avenue Q, but they seem a little, er, fuzzy on whether it’s appropriate for kids. We’ll try to clear that up. Avenue Q is great for teenagers because it’s about real life. It may not be appropriate for young children because the show addresses issues like sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn.
Show dates and time: October 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Sunday – October 9 & 16 at 3:00 PM p.m. and all other dates at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $17.50-$33 – Note: The production could use haze, fog and strobe light effects.
