Avenue Q Returns to Horizon 1/13-2/26/12

Horizon Theatre's award-winning production of Avenue Q, returns January 13 –February 26, 2012 after a sold-out run this summer. "It's an explosion of upbeat energy, music, and puppets for grown-ups," says Co-Artistic/Producing Director Lisa Adler.

"We're thrilled to be one of the first theatres in the country to produce the play regionally, bringing our own Horizon spin to it. It's about finding your purpose in life and being part of your community –whether you are young or old, gay or straight, yellow, red or blue."

Avenue Q is a Tony award winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, and now it's up
close and personal in a production the Atlanta Journal Constitution calls "risqué and downright
irresistible" at Horizon Theatre in Little Five Points (Euclid and Austin Avenues). Horizon's
production is the recipient of the 2011 Suzi Bass Awards for Outstanding Production of a
Musical, Lead Actor in a Musical (Nick Arapoglou as Princeton), Director of a Musical, Featured
Actress in a Musical (Leslie W. Bellair as Christmas Eve), Lighting Design of a Musical, Scenic
Design of a Musical, and Musical Direction.

The neighbors are nice on Avenue Q, the only address you can afford when you're fresh out of
college, out of a job, or just trying to find your way in life. Princeton, Gary Coleman (yes, that
one!), Christmas Eve and their newfound friends (played by talented actors and puppets)
valiantly seek jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. This upbeat musical for grownups tackles tough subjects like racism, unemployment, homosexuality, pornography, homelessness, love, and lust with Sesame Street-like puppets, monsters, video and catchy tunes.

Even if you have seen it before you won't want to miss Avenue Q in Horizon Theatre's intimate
setting. Director Heidi Cline McKerley says, "It's a whole new show when you're right next to
those puppets and actors. You have never had the chance to see this show with everyone so
close." Exactly how up close and personal can you get? With 172 seats and only 8 rows you will
feel like you are one of the green, blue, or people "of fur" dwelling on Avenue Q. 

"It fits perfectly with our mission of connecting Atlantans through smart, positive, provocative
contemporary theater that speaks to our diverse community," continues Ms. Adler. "Avenue Q
is a tour de force for an ensemble of 8 artists who act, sing, dance, puppeteer, and play musical
instruments. It gives you hope and lifts your spirits. Don't we all need that today?"

Horizon Theatre remounts the first locally produced staging of Avenue Q with an amazing cast
and creative team of Atlanta talent. Taking stage with their puppet personalities are: Nick
Arapoglou (Princeton) winner of the 2011 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a
Musical; Jill Hames (Lucy The Slut) seen as one of the sidekicks in The Santaland Diaries and in
Horizon's stagings of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; Jeff McKerley (Nicky) recently
seen as Ko-Ko in The Mikado at Atlanta Lyric along with Mary Nye Bennett (Kate Monster) and
J.C. Long (Rod). Rounding out the cast in human form are: Leslie W. Bellair (Christmas Eve)
winner of the 2011 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical; Matt Nitchie
(Brian) a favorite Harsha in Madeline's Christmas; and Bernard D. Jones (Gary Coleman) who
makes his Horizon Theatre debut following his role as Ernst in Actor Express' Spring Awakening.

Creating the world of Avenue Q is an Atlanta design and creative team led by director Heidi
Cline McKerley who marks Avenue Q as her 22nd Horizon project and musical director, S. Renée
Clark, whose collaborations with Ms. Cline McKerley go back more than fifteen years. Clark
most recently composed and music directed for Travelin' Black at Theatrical Outfit. Horizon's
favorite scenic design duo, Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay, returns with their Suzi Awardwinning streetscape for people and puppets. The rest of the team includes: costume designer
Anna Jenny; props designer, MC Park resident prop master at Georgia Ensemble Theatre;
Horizon resident lighting designer, Mary Parker, whose original design won the Suzi Bass Award
for Best Lighting Design; sound designer, Keith Bergeron; and video designer, Bradley Bergeron.
The colorful and furry cast of puppets are original designs, hand built by Russ Walko, who designs
puppets for film, television and the stage in his West Coast workshop.

So if you have ever been looking for an apartment, a job, love, your personal identity, or your
purpose in the world (or plan on it soon) join in the fun at Horizon Theatre. This adult-only,
politically incorrect cross between Sesame Street and The Simpsons uses clever writing and
catchy songs to take a look at the issues we face every day.

Avenue Q opens January 13, 2012 and runs through February 26. Performances will be
Wednesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 3:00 PM and 8:30 PM, and Sunday at 5:00
PM. This show includes mature content and is not recommended for children. Tickets start at
$30 for weekday performances and $40 for weekend performances. Join the Q-mmunity for VIP
treatment including reserved seating and other special perks. Q-mmunity packages start at $45.
Prices are subject to change, so buy early for the best prices. Audiences are invited to stay after
the performances for a photo-op with the puppets. Tickets and information are available at
horizontheatre.com or 404.584.7450.