Sierra Stages Presents AVENUE Q, Now thru 8/3

This summer, journey to the top of Broad Street in Nevada City, take an immediate turn into the lobby of the historic Nevada Theatre, and end up at AVENUE Q, the smash-hit Broadway musical presented by Sierra Stages. The three-time Tony Award-winning musical for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book plays for 15 performances only from today, July 10 through August 3.

With a cast of 11 humans and 28 puppets, AVENUE Q is like Sesame Street, only for adults. (Think more South Park or Family Guy than Sesame Street.) The hilariously irreverent musical tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to New York City 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". With the help of his friends, both puppet and human, 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.

The Sierra Stages production of AVENUE Q is directed by Robert Rossman, with musical direction by Ken Getz. Puppet consultation is by Kenny Miele, puppet construction and costume design is by Alan Rollins, set design is by Pamela Hodges, lighting design is by Erin Beatie, and technical direction is by Thomas Taylor. The cast includes Isaias Acosta, Kristine Alcamo, Lyra Dominguez, Nancy Haffey, Kate Haight, JR Lewis, Erick Lindley, Danny McCammon, Conor Nolan, Jordan Thomas-Rose, and Kim Wellman.

"AVENUE Q is one of those shows that has been on our wish-list from the beginning of our company four years ago," said Sierra Stages Board member and AVENUE Q musical director Ken Getz. "The show is not only incredibly funny and incredibly irreverent, but also it is steeped in the best tradition of Broadway musicals, with intelligent and fun music, literate and funny lyrics, engaging characters, and an interesting and meaningful story line," said Getz. "The show grabs you in the first two minutes of the opening number and takes you on a wild and totally entertaining ride for the next two hours," he said. AVENUE Q director Robert Rossman adds, "The show is deceptively difficult to pull off, as it requires a cast who can act, sing, and operate puppets all at the same time, as well as a design and technical staff with the imagination and determination to create this unique world," Rossman said. "We are fortunate to have a truly talented group both onstage and behind the scenes for this show."

Please note: Due to adult situations (like full-puppet nudity) and adult language (which we cannot repeat here), AVENUE Q may be inappropriate for kids or closed-minded adults. Everyone else, though, likely will have a great time!

Performances of AVENUE Q are Thursdays at 7 PM and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, with a special Wednesday preview performance tonight, July 10 at 7 PM and two Sunday matinees on July 21 and July 28 at 2 PM. General Admission tickets for the preview performances on July 10 and July 11 are only $15. General Admission tickets for all other performances are discounted to $20 if purchased before July 12. Thereafter, General Admission Tickets are $25. For those audience members who prefer a specific seat location and wish to provide additional financial support for Sierra Stages, Reserved Tickets for all performances are available for $35. Tickets are available online at www.SierraStages.org or by calling the Sierra Stages ticket line at 530.346.3210. Tickets are also on sale at BriarPatch Co-op on Sierra College Boulevard in Grass Valley.

Sierra Stages is a tax-exempt not-for-profit community theatre with a goal to enrich the culture of western Nevada County by offering a wide range of quality theatrical experiences. Now in its fifth season, Sierra Stages presented A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM this past spring at the Nevada Theatre, and will present the intimate Off-Broadway musical CLOSER THAN EVER from October 31 through November 23 at the Off Center Stage in Grass Valley. In addition, Sierra Stages is collaborating with the Miners Foundry Cultural Center in Nevada City to present a series of six informal play readings - "Theater by the Book" - throughout the year.

For more information about AVENUE Q and Sierra Stages, visit www.SierraStages.org.