AVENUE Q & THE DAMN YANKEES Set for Ocean State Theatre Company's 2016 Summer Season

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is thrilled to announce their 2016 Summer Season - the robust Tony Award winning musical comedy, Damn Yankees and the Triple Crown (Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book) Tony Award-winner, Avenue Q.

"This summer is going to sizzle at Ocean State Theatre," said Producing Artistic Director, Amiee Turner. "Damn Yankees has been on our short list for years and I can't wait to bring this baseball musical to Rhode Island to kick off our summer! With songs we already know and love, it is no doubt going to be an OSTC favorite for the whole family. In direct contrast with this family friendly musical, is the somewhat naughty Avenue Q, which has been suggested continuously by many of our patrons - young and old. Avenue Q is filled with laugh-out-loud humor, award-winning tunes and wacky puppet characters that interact with the unique people who live on Avenue Q! It is accurate to say it is a unique show, which I know Rhode Island will warmly embrace."

Damn Yankees: Not just a popular phrase said by New England baseball fans, Damn Yankees is also one of the most popular musicals of all time. Joe Boyd hates the Yankees and wishes he could help his hapless Senators win the pennant. Enter the devil himself who gives him the chance to realize his dream... but there is always a price. Damn Yankees boasts an exceptional score which includes the rousing "Heart," the sentimental "A Man Doesn't Know," the seductive "Whatever Lola Wants," and the bat-swinging, foot-stomping "Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo." Filled with dancing baseball players, singing managers, a soft-shoe devil, and of course, Lola, the temptress, this musical is full of singing, dancing, laughs and most of all, heart!

Avenue Q: Who are the people in your neighborhood? Well we can assure you they aren't the residents of Avenue Q. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem lovely, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt, and packed with humor. (Show contains adult language, content, and full puppet nudity...yes we said puppet nudity.)

Damn Yankees will be presented from July 6 - 24. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Tuesday (except 7/12), Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Special Thursday and Saturday matinee performances on Thursday, July 14 and Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$59 for all other performances. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance.

Avenue Q will be presented from August 3 - 21. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, August 3 and Thursday, August 4 at 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Tuesday (except 8/9), Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm. Special Thursday and Saturday matinee performances on Thursday, August 11 and Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$59 for all other performances. $30 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. Tickets will be available at the box office Tuesday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and up until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.