Van Wezel Presents AVENUE Q, Runs 12/10-12/11

Avenue Q, the smash-hit Broadway musical about real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets, makes a tour stop at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $45-$80 (with a limited number of "smart seats" priced at $30).

Winner of the 2004 Tony® Award for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q.
Still, the neighbors seem nice. There's Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod -- a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. The building's superintendent is Gary Coleman (yes, that Gary Coleman). Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

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

The production may not be appropriate for young children.

Avenue Q is sponsored by Wilde Lexus of Sarasota and ABC-7, WWSB.

The Broadway Series at the Van Wezel continues with Defending the Caveman (Jan. 15); The Wedding Singer (Jan. 24), Girls Night: The Musical (Feb. 1); Hairspray (Feb. 9), Mamma Mia (Feb. 23-28), Cirque Le Masque (Mar. 14), 102 Years of Broadway (Apr. 7) and Xanadu (Apr. 20, 21).
For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Dinner is available prior to most shows by Michael's on East at the Van Wezel by calling (941) 366-0007 or logging onto www.bestfood.com.

Set along Sarasota's beautiful bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is celebrating its 40th anniversary of entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater, comedy and children's shows. Its mission is to present a broad spectrum of the world's finest performing artists in order to meet the diverse cultural needs of all of Southwest Florida's residents and visitors. The Van Wezel is also committed to bringing visiting artists into the community for meaningful education and outreach programs.