Red Branch Theatre Sets Cast for AVENUE Q: SCHOOL EDITION; Runs 7/31-8/8

Red Branch Theatre Company (RBTC) continues its 2015 season entitled Coming of Age with the TONY Award-winning musical comedy with puppets, Avenue Q: School Edition. Casting has just been completed for the inaugural summer musical at Howard County's newest professional theatre. The production will run at Drama Learning Center, where Red Branch is the theatre in residence, from July 31 - August 8, 2015. In addition to being Red Branch's first summer musical, Avenue Q also marks the first production for which Red Branch has cast an ensemble comprised of emerging young artists.

Avenue Q follows recent college graduate Princeton along his journey as he moves into a shabby apartment on Avenue Q while searching for his ever-illusive purpose in life. Red Branch originally produced Avenue Q in October 2012. Part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart, the School Edition was adapted by the show's authors to provide an edited option for production while still maintaining the gut-busting humor found in the original version. For this revival, Red Branch Theatre Company has cast a company of emerging young theatre artists aged 18-25 to provide performers in the nascent period of their professional careers an opportunity to interact with area audiences. Both the cast and production staff are comprised heavily of alums of TYA, Drama Learning Center's teen professional company. Choreography and staging conceived by Jenny Male, director of RBTC's original production, will be utilized for this production. Additionally, the custom puppets commissioned by RBTC will return to the stage in this new production.

Continuing the established partnership with The Iron Bridge Wine Company, all patrons will receive a free dining certificate to the restaurant with each ticket purchase. In addition to the complimentary dining certificates, Red Branch and Iron Bridge will join forces during the run of Avenue Q to offer a Brunch-and-Play package for the Sunday, August 2nd performance. Patrons can opt to dine at Iron Bridge prior to the matinee performance for brunch. An interactive puppetry workshop led by Drama Learning Center teaching artists will be held at the theatre during the 3 PM performance so that parents can enjoy the show while their children are supervised nearby. "We hope that families will use the Brunch-and-Play option as an opportunity to spend some quality time together dining at Iron Bridge," states Managing Director Tiffany Underwood Holmes. "After brunch, moms and dads can have a date at the theatre while the kids get to explore a world of their own creation through the magical medium of puppetry. It's our intention for families to experience the best of both worlds through this package."

Remaining productions in Red Branch's 2015 season include Dogfight, and a world premiere of a new musical adaptation of Peter Rabbit. Avenue Q: School Edition is presented with permission through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Cast & Production Staff:

Princeton - Javier del Pilar
Kate Monster - Jena Frick v, Amy Williamson v
Lucy - Meghan Anderson v
Nicky - Bobby Grady v
Rod - Brandon Love
Brian - Jeff Miller v
Trekkie Monster/Ricky - Caleb Uzcategui
Mrs. Thistletwat - Anna Wehrv, Tori Stroud v
Bad Idea Bear - Naomi Muwowo
Gary Coleman - Taylor Washington
Christmas Eve - Cheryl Campo­

Directed and Choreographed by Megan Elizabeth Henderson v
Music Direction by Rachel Sandler v
Production Consultant: Jenny Male
Stage Management: Dana Fleischer

v TYA Alum

Dates: July 31, August 1, 6-8 at 7:30 PM and August 2 at 2 PM. Individual tickets available for purchase online at www.redbranchtheatrecompany.com or by calling the box office at (410) 997-9352 on June 1. All performances take place at the Drama Learning Center, 9130-I Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045.