AVENUE Q Returns To Philadelphia, Plays The Academy of Music 6/18-20

AVENUE Q is the smash-hit Broadway musical about real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets through a hilariously irreverent, Tony-winning book and score. The three-time Tony Award winning musical will make Philadelphia return at the Academy of Music for a weekend engagement June 18 - 20.

Part of the Broadway Series, tickets ranging in price from $25 to $100 may be purchased by calling 214-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or on performance days only at the Academy of Music box office (Broad & Locusts Sts). Groups of 20 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 214-790-5883.

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. For more information on AVENUE Q visit www.avenueqontour.com. The Broadway Series is presented by the Kimmel Center in association with The Shubert Organization and is sponsored by Citibank with support provided by American Airlines.

In addition to Avenue Q, 2009-2010 Broadway Series productions at the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre and Merriam Theater include: Lord of the Dance (May 14 - 16) and RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles (June 18 - 20), both at the Merriam Theater; and Dreamgirls (June 22 - 27) at the Academy of Music.

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