Photo Flash: First Look at Mazeppa Productions' AVENUE Q

Mazeppa Productions will be the first resident theatre company to bring the 2004 Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q to life in Philadelphia. AVENUE Q's opening on July 11, 2013 will mark the start of Mazeppa's third season of musical productions as well as its second season at the Christ Church Neighborhood House Theater in Old City, Philadelphia. Director Rob Henry, choreographer Robert Harris, and music director Eric Thompson will lead the eleven person company in staging the hilarious musical that is part flesh, part felt, and full of heart! AVENUE Q runs July 10-27, 2013 at the Christ Church Neighborhood House Theater at 20 North American Street (off 2nd Street between Market and Arch Streets) in Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All tickets are $25 and can be purchased via the website at www.mazeppaproductions.org or by calling the box office at (267) 559-9602.

Winner of three 2004 Tony Awards - including Best Musical - AVENUE Q is the laugh-out-loud musical that is part flesh, part felt, and full of heart! AVENUE Q tells the story of Princeton, a recent college graduate whose big dreams and tiny bank account lead him to move next door to his adorably naughty neighbors on Avenue Q. From Kate (the monster next door) and Rod (the Republican with a secret) to Trekkie Monster (the internet sexpert) and Lucy The Slut (need we say more?), Princeton's journey to find his purpose in life will warm your heart and crack you up at the same time. The New York Times hails AVENUE Q as "a breakthrough musical of a very different stripe. Savvy, sassy, and delicious!" Entertainment Weekly guarantees it is "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see!" AVENUE Q is conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, written by Jeff Whitty and features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

The cast of AVENUE Q is led by Mike Dorsey (Princeton/Rod) and Angela Leone (Kate/Lucy) with Sam Nagel (Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bad Idea Bear), Catherine Maeve Logan (Mrs. T./Bad Idea Bear), Bren Thomas (Brian), Stephanie N. Walters (Christmas Eve), and Lauren Elysse Fitzgerald (Gary Coleman). Zach Kononov, Jenna Kuerzi complete the company with Ronnie Keller and Katie Johantgen as understudies.

Mazeppa Productions was founded in 2011 by Rob Henry and Brian Seaman with the goal to bring exciting, vibrant and thought provoking works of musical theatre to Philadelphia through innovative productions of old favorites and new works. Its vision is to evolve into a thriving theatre that attracts talented, passionate, theatre artists who share its belief in the transformative power of musical theatre. In their first season, Mazeppa staged Pippin and the children's musical, Dear Edwina,. Mazeppa's second season included the sold-out Philadelphia premiere of Spring Awakening. Since its debut, Mazeppa Productions has received critical acclaim and has been said to "just cause to be very optimistic about the future of Philadelphia stage."

Photo Credit: Kelly Anne Pipe