Masterworks Broadway Launches Avenue Q Podcast Series

Masterworks Broadway has added Avenue Q as the latest addition of Masterworks Broadway Podcast Theatre, a series of podcasts created to give a glimpse behind the scenes to some of Broadway's greatest treasures.  Previous series featured the Chicago 10th Anniversary,A Chorus Line, "The Legends of Broadway," featuring Chita Rivera, Angela Lansbury, Barbara Cook and Bernadette Peters, the podcasts, which offer great additional entertainment and insight into these shows and cast recordings, are available at no cost through a variety of online outlets including Apple iTunes, MasterworksBroadway.com and the official websites for the featured musicals. The Avenue Q podcast series will be featured on www.AvenueQ.com.

Recognizing that the web is a prime source of information and entertainment, Masterworks Broadway has taken to this arena, providing listeners with a more intimate look into these classic shows.  "Behind the scenes" segments along with interviews from the creative teams and stars offer a truly unique experience for the audience beyond the music that can be enjoyed time and again on the CDs.  The podcasts give a modern twist to a retro-style radio show format, for an intimate "infotainment" type package. 

Avenue Q Podcasts feature interviews with the Tony-award winning show's co-creators and composer/lyricists Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, actors Howie Michael Smith (Princeton/Rod) and Mary Faber (Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut) and several members of the Broadway cast.  Trekkie Monster acts as master of ceremonies on several episodes.

The Podcast Broadcast schedule is:
Episode 1 - Robert Lopez - launches on June 13
Episode 2 - Jeff Marx - launches on June 20
Episode 3 - Mary Faber - launches on June 27
Episode 4 - Howie Michael Smith - launches on July 11
Episode 5 - Cast Outtake/Gag Reel - launches on July 18

Avenue Q -- winner of three 2004 Tony Awards, including Best Musical - celebrated its 1,600th performance on Broadway at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) on Friday, June 1, 2007.

The musical opened on Broadway on July 31, 2003, and will celebrate its 4th anniversary on Broadway this summer.  Also this summer, a national tour of Avenue Q will kick off in San Francisco, visiting 30 cities in 2 years.  A London production of Avenue Q celebrates its first anniversary in the West End this month, as well.

Avenue Q -- the musical about trying to make it in New York with big dreams and a tiny bank account -- is the creation of a host of talented young theatre artists, 30-somethings all: Avenue Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; and directed by Jason Moore. The show has puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon; musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, and choreography by Ken Roberson. Its scenic design is by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.

The musical is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

The Masterworks Broadway Podcast Theatre series is available for free download on iTunes, www.MasterworksBroadway.com, and www.avenueq.com.