AVENUE Q National Tour Makes Gainesville Debut, 10/9

AVENUE Q, the three-time Tony winning Broadway musical about real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets through a irreverent Tony-winning book and score, will make its Gainesville debut at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10. 

AVENUE Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone's looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a "purpose." Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that "the real world" isn't so bad, after all!

The New York Times hailed AVENUE Q as "a breakthrough musical of a very different stripe. Savvy, sassy and delicious!" and Entertainment Weekly claimed it was "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see!"

AVENUE Q features 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 is directed by Jason Moore; puppet design by Rick Lyon, orchestrations by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Lew Mead; associate director is Evan Ensign and music supervisor is Andrew Graham.

Avenue Q is produced by Work Light Productions.

Robert Lopez (Music and Lyrics, Original Concept, Animation Design) is still reeling from winning the 2004 Tony Award for Best Score for Avenue Q, which has been produced in New York, Vegas, London, Stockholm, Helsinki, and now this tour! Bobby's musical version of Finding Nemo, co-written with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, is currently playing in Walt Disney World. In 2007, he co-wrote songs for a musical episode of NBC's "Scrubs." He and his brother Billy Lopez have written music for Nick Jr's "The Wonder Pets!" and Disney's "Johnny and the Sprites." Bobby is busy at work on lots of new projects. He grew up in Greenwich Village, graduated Yale 1997 (with a BA in English!) and now lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter.

Jeff Marx (Music and Lyrics). B'way debut. Jeff would like to take this opportunity to plug his book, How To Win A High School Election. A serious guide for student council candidates, it has sold over 15,000 copies and can be found in bookstores and on the internet. This is Jeff's first musical. He is now living in Los Angeles, writing various projects with different collaborators. He went to L.A. to work on the musical episode of "Scrubs," loved it there, and stayed. He has a law degree, a Tony Award, a Mustang convertible, and a wonderfully sweet rescue doggie named Princeton. Many thanks to the hundreds of people whose contributions helped make Avenue Q a reality.

Jeff Whitty (Book) won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Avenue Q. Plays include The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler (next appearing in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2008 season), The Hiding Place, The Plank Project, Suicide Weather, and Balls. Theaters presenting his work include the Atlantic Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, the Vineyard Theater, The New Group, and New York Stage and Film/Vassar. Currently at work on the libretto for a musical version of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. As an actor, he has appeared regionally, Off-Broadway, and in film and TV. Website: www.Whitless.com.

Jason Moore (Director). Broadway: Shrek, Steel Magnolias, Avenue Q. Off-Broadway: Jerry Springer The Opera (Carnegie Hall), Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q, Guardians, The Crumple Zone. Regional: Vices (Mixed Blood Theatre, Minnesota), Opening Day (Powerhouse Theatre, Los Angeles). Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, National Tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV: episodes of "Dawson's Creek," "Everwood," "One Tree Hill", and "Brothers and Sisters."

Avenue Q will play Monday, November 9, 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, November 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The performance is sponsored by WGFL-TV CBS4. Tickets are $34.00 - $60.50. To Purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 (toll-free). Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union or from any Ticketmaster outlet, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.performingarts.ufl.edu or www.avenueqontour.com for more information.

Due to adult situations (like full-puppet nudity), AVENUE Q may be inappropriate for kids under 13.

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