Avenue Q is a musical conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics, and directed by Jason Moore. The book is by Jeff Whitty. The show was produced by and opened at the Off-Broadway Vineyard Theatre in March 2003. The production transferred to Broadway in July 2003 and won several Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. The show has spawned a 2005 Las Vegas production, a 2006 West End production and various international productions. An Australian national tour began in June 2009 and will end in June 2010.

The show is largely inspired by (and is in the style of) Sesame Street; most of the characters in the show are puppets (operated by actors onstage), the set depicts several tenements on a rundown street in an Outer Borough of New York City, both the live characters and puppet characters sing, and short animated video clips are played as part of the story.

Several characters are recognizably parodies of classic Sesame Street characters: for example, the roommates Rod and Nicky are versions of Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie, Trekkie Monster is based on Cookie Monster . However, the characters are in their twenties and thirties and face adult problems instead of those faced by children of varying ages, thus making the show more suited for the adults who grew up with and worked on Sesame Street. Four of the original cast members (John Tartaglia, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jennifer Barnhart and Rick Lyon) had worked on Sesame Street before.

The characters additionally use profanity in their dialogue (both spoken and sung), and the songs concern adult themes such as sexual intercourse and drugs. A recurring theme is the central character's search for a "purpose". Since the original cast recording was released, the song "The Internet Is for Porn" has become particularly popular on websites such as YouTube. According to the official site, the musical is appropriate for both adults and mature teenagers.

Avenue Q was initially developed at the 2002 National Music Theatre Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.

After a run lasting more than six years and over 2,500 performances, the Broadway production of Avenue Q closed on September 13, 2009. The production ranked as the 20th longest running show in Broadway history at the time of its closing, and still holds that position today. Moments after the final Broadway performance ended, producer Kevin McCollum announced that Avenue Q will transfer to New World Stages for another Off-Broadway run.

Background

The show is explicitly an homage to the PBS children's television program Sesame Street. Both Marx and puppet designer/original cast member Rick Lyon have worked for Sesame Street, as have the other puppeteers in the original cast. Unlike Sesame Street, Avenue Q openly addresses adult topics such as racism, pornography, and homosexuality; in fact, because of its adult language and content and "full puppet nudity" (including puppet sex), the show specifically disclaims any connection to either Sesame Workshop (formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop) or The Jim Henson Company. In an interview with Britain's The Times, addressing the question of potential conflicts with Henson, Marx claimed, “During early previews in the States we invited Jim Henson's widow and children and they could see that what we were doing was an homage and love letter to 'Sesame Street.'”

The characters who are not puppets relate to the puppets, rather than to the actors holding them. The puppets also speak directly to each other and never to the actors operating them (although at the end of "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", Gary Coleman puts his hands on the shoulders of Kate Monster's puppeteer). During the course of the show, a puppet character may be operated by more than one of the actor-operators, although the same actor creates the voice for a particular puppet even if he or she is not holding the puppet at the time. The puppeteers wear nondescript black/gray clothing while the puppets and the three human characters (Brian, Christmas Eve and Gary Coleman) are dressed in bright colors.

Plot overview

Setting

As stated in the Broadway Playbill, the scene is a fictional street located "in an outer-outer borough of New York City." Manhattan, the center of New York City, has Avenues A, B, C, and D, making up the Alphabet City neighborhood. Alternately, Avenue Q could be in the Midwood and Gravesend area of Brooklyn, where there are also Avenues A, B, C, etc. all the way up to Avenue Z, with a few exceptions. One of the exceptions is Avenue Q; the street between Avenue P and Avenue R is known as Quentin Road, named for Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt. The Q subway train, whose symbol used to be a Q in an orange circle resembling the Avenue Q logo, travels through this neighborhood. However, the authors have stated that Avenue Q is fictional and is not related to this or any other particular street.

Act One

The story starts off with Princeton, a recent college graduate, looking for an affordable apartment in New York City whilst attempting to find his purpose in life ("What Do You Do with a BA in English?"). At Avenue Q, we meet a group of neighbors who live on that street: Kate Monster, an assistant kindergarten teacher who is currently single; Nicky and Rod, two long-time roommates; Brian, an unemployed comedian; Christmas Eve, Brian's Japanese-American fiancée, a therapist with no clients; and Gary Coleman, former child star of the TV show Diff'rent Strokes, now the apartment superintendent. They all argue about whose life is worse ("It Sucks to Be Me"), and all agree that Coleman has the hardest life. Princeton arrives and takes an apartment, and everyone welcomes him to the block.

The following afternoon, Rod finds himself alone and begins reading his favorite book, "Broadway Musicals of the 1940s," when he is interrupted by Nicky, who wants to share a story about a gay man he met on the subway. Rod gets defensive at the mention of homosexuality, and Nicky assures his roommate that he would have no problem accepting Rod's sexuality ("If You Were Gay").

The job that Princeton had lined up is eliminated, sending him on a search for his purpose in life. He finds a penny minted in his birthyear (which, given the debut of the musical, is hinted to be 1981)— a lucky omen which inspires him to continue searching for his purpose in life ("Purpose"). Everyone explains their purpose in life, while Gary is afraid he has already fulfilled his purpose and from that point it will be a slow walk to the grave. Kate says that she wants to open a school especially for monsters. When Princeton asks whether she and Trekkie Monster are related, Kate is offended at the implication that all monsters must be related, calling him racist. Princeton notes that her dream of a monster school is also exclusionary. Everyone comes in to join the song and reveal their own prejudices ("Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"). Afterwards, Princeton is approached by the Bad Idea Bears, two innocent-looking teddy bears who distract him from finding his purpose and convince him to spend the money he got from his parents on a case of beer.

Kate receives a phone call from her boss, the unpleasant, humorless Mrs. Thistletwat, telling her that she has heart transplant surgery scheduled for the next day, and needs Kate to teach the morning class, allowing her to teach whatever subject she likes. Kate, excited at the opportunity, plans to teach about the Internet, but Trekkie Monster cuts in claiming that the Internet is only good for pornography. Kate indignantly claims that the Internet can be used for other things besides porn, but Trekkie Monster calls upon the other men of Avenue Q (Brian, Gary, Rod and Princeton). Despite Kate's argument that the four use non-pornography sites such as eBay and Amazon.com, they all agree that the Internet is, in fact, for porn ("The Internet is for Porn"), leaving Kate flustered and embarrassed. Afterward, Princeton comes over to deliver a mixtape, confirming her suspicions that he has a crush on her ("Mix Tape").

Princeton invites Kate to the Around the Clock Café on a date (a well-known East Village haunt) that night to see a "singer everybody's going to see", who is revealed to be Lucy the Slut.

At the café, Brian performs the opening act ("I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today") and introduces Lucy the Slut, who performs a seductive cabaret number ("Special"). Kate refrains from drinking at first, as she has her important teaching assignment in the morning, but the Bad Idea Bears suggest that they have some "harmless" Long Island Iced Teas (Absinthe Daiquiris in the London show) and play drinking games. While Kate retrieves a round of drinks, Lucy tells Princeton that when he's ready for a real woman, she'll be around. The Bad Idea Bears convince Princeton to take the tipsy Kate home and have sex. Unbeknownst to them, Brian and Christmas Eve are also having sex. Other tenants ask Gary Coleman to tell the wild lovers to quiet down, but Gary refuses, breaking into a soul-inspired number with the Bad Idea Bears as backing vocalists ("You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)"). A sleepless Rod hears Nicky talking in his sleep about his love for Rod, and is jubilant that his secret crush is mutual. However, he wakes to discover that it was he who had been dreaming and is left heartbroken. At the same time, as Kate and Princeton happily lie in bed, Princeton gives Kate his lucky penny to let her know how much she means to him ("Fantasies Come True").

The next day, Mrs. Thistletwat calls: Kate has missed the morning class that she was supposed to teach. Mrs. Thistletwat dismisses all monsters as lazy. Angry, Kate quits her job before Mrs. Thistletwat can fire her. Princeton asks Kate to be his girlfriend and to accompany him to Brian and Christmas Eve's wedding. At the wedding, the neighbors ask Nicky whether Rod is gay. Nicky confirms that Rod is a "closeted homosexual"; Rod overhears him and vehemently denies this – they simply have not met Rod's "girlfriend" ("My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada"), Alberta, who lives in Vancouver. Deeply hurt, Rod throws Nicky out of their apartment. Princeton, scared of commitment after witnessing the wedding, breaks up with Kate, asking her to be friends. Kate, hurt and defiant, realizes the differences between a loving relationship and a love that was never meant to be ("There's a Fine, Fine Line").

In most instances of the play, a recording of a fifteen-note piano scale in the key of C will play shortly after the song to indicate a fifteen-minute intermission.

Act Two

Princeton sits alone his apartment two weeks later. He is in debt, unemployed, alone, and still purposeless. As the Bad Idea Bears suggest that Princeton hang himself, the neighbors take Princeton outside to remind him that "There is Life Outside Your Apartment," and Princeton decides to take Lucy the Slut home with him. Kate is jealous, and Christmas Eve explains that Kate is angry because she actually loves Princeton ("The More You Ruv Someone", which pays homage to "I Have a Love" from West Side Story). Kate stops by to invite Princeton to meet her at the top of the Empire State Building. He is in the shower, so she leaves the letter with Lucy, who promptly destroys it. Nicky has stayed with neighbors since he was kicked out, but they are all fed up with his sloppiness and throw him out on the street. Nicky begs Gary Coleman to let him sleep on his floor, but Gary refuses. He explains to Nicky that in his miserable situation, Nicky, like Gary, can help others feel better about themselves ("Schadenfreude").

Princeton looks for Lucy, who has left without saying goodbye. Kate, standing on the viewing platform at the top of the Empire State Building, is angry that Princeton seems to have stood her up, and she throws the penny that he gave her off the platform. Far below, Lucy, passing by, is hit in the head by the penny and knocked into a coma. At the hospital, Kate and Princeton attempt to work out their problems, but Princeton is still not ready for commitment. Nicky attempts a reconciliation with Rod, who is too proud to accept his apology, despite clearly missing him. Depressed, Rod tearfully consults with Christmas Eve, who gently nudges him out of the closet. Everyone ponders what it would be like to return to happier times ("I Wish I Could Go Back to College").

Nicky, begging in the street, tells Princeton that he should be thinking about other people. Struck with inspiration, Princeton determines to raise the money to build Kate's monster school. Nicky likewise realizes that, to get back to his apartment, he needs to help Rod by finding him a boyfriend. The neighbors raise some money, but not much; they attempt to resolve this by breaking the fourth wall and asking the audience for money ("The Money Song"). Trekkie Monster, finding out what the appeal is for, remembers his hellish school days and donates $10 million – more than enough for what Kate needs to open her school – from an apparently massive fortune he has made by investing in pornography ("School for Monsters/The Money Song (Reprise)").

Kate is delighted with the new school. Brian has a new consulting job and Christmas Eve a steady client (Rod), so they are leaving Avenue Q for "a better place" on the Lower East Side (in some performances, they move to Hell's Kitchen). Rod reveals, to no one's surprise, that he is gay, and invites Nicky to move back in with him. Nicky has found a boyfriend for Rod: a muscle-bound hunk named Ricky, who looks and sounds exactly like Nicky. Rod is sent into a state of shock when presented with the two of them. He falls instantly in love with Ricky and leads him happily into the apartment. Meanwhile, the Bad Idea Bears have found Scientology, and Lucy has recovered to become a born-again Christian. Kate is impressed that Princeton has made her monster school a reality. Princeton asks her for a second chance, and Kate says they'll take it one day at a time ("There's a Fine, Fine Line (Reprise)").

A new kid, just out of college with a BA in English, comes to look at Brian and Christmas Eve's newly vacant apartment ("What Do You Do with a BA in English (Reprise)"), and Princeton has a revelation: his purpose may be to pass on everything he's learned about real life by putting it all into a show. Everyone shoots the idea down, and the kid gives Princeton the finger. Princeton worries that he may never find his purpose, but the others encourage him to cheer up. Life may be bad at the moment, but everything in life is only "For Now."

Characters

Princeton: A naïve college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English, looking for his purpose in life. In an on/off relationship with Kate.

Kate Monster: Kate is a fiesty, romantic kindergarten teaching assistant. She falls in love with Princeton and her dream in life is to open a school for monsters due to having been subjected to anti-monster prejudice throughout her life.

Rod: A closeted Republican investment banker. He is secretly in love with Nicky. A parody of Bert from Sesame Street.

Nicky: Rod's sweet-hearted, yet messy and jobless roommate. A parody of Ernie from Sesame Street.

Brian: An out-of-work Jewish comedian, engaged to Christmas Eve. Becomes a consultant by the end of the show.

Christmas Eve: A straight-talking Japanese therapist who speaks Engrish, engaged to Brian. Has no clients because it is implied that she gives poor advice; however, she serendipitously helps several characters throughout the show.

Gary Coleman: Television's Gary Coleman, a washed up former child star. The building superintendent.

The Bad Idea Bears: Two Care Bear-like characters, who use their seemingly innocent charm to manipulate people into giving in to their desires. They later end up converting to Scientology

Trekkie Monster: A Cookie Monster-parody, addicted to Internet porn instead of cookies. He is not related to Kate Monster. It is later revealed that he has acquired large sums of money from investing in pornography.

Lucy The Slut: A seductive, promiscuous night club singer. She seduces Princeton and subsequently leaves him, and in the process is sent to the hospital after Kate unintentionally drops a penny on her head from the top of the Empire State Building. She later becomes a born-again Christian and reaffirms her chastity.

Mrs. Thistletwat: Kate's elderly, no-nonsense, straitlaced boss and kindergarten teacher.

Newcomer: A fresh-faced college graduate.

Ricky: A gay, muscle-bound hunk who looks exactly like Nicky. At the end of the show Nicky introduces him to Rod, who falls instantly in love with him.

Songs

Act I

• "The Avenue Q Theme" - Company
• "What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?" - Princeton
• "It Sucks to Be Me" - Brian, Kate Monster, Rod, Nicky, Christmas Eve, Gary Coleman, and Princeton
• "If You Were Gay" - Nicky and Rod
• "Purpose" - Princeton and Company
• "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" - Princeton, Kate, Gary, Brian, and Christmas Eve
• "The Internet Is for Porn" - Kate, Trekkie Monster, Brian, Gary Coleman, Rod, and Princeton
• "Mix Tape" - Kate and Princeton
• "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today" - Brian
• "Special" - Lucy the Slut
• "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)" - Gary, The Bad Idea Bears, Princeton, Kate, and Company
• "Fantasies Come True" - Rod, Kate, Nicky and Princeton
• "My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada" - Rod
• "There's a Fine, Fine Line" - Kate

Act II

• "It Sucks to Be Me (Reprise)"‡ - Princeton (note: this was added in the Las Vegas version of the show and subsequently added into the Broadway show)
• "There Is Life Outside Your Apartment" - Brian, Princeton, Christmas Eve, Gary, Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Lucy, and Company
• "The More You Ruv Someone" - Christmas Eve and Kate
• "Schadenfreude" - Gary and Nicky
• "I Wish I Could Go Back to College" - Kate, Nicky and Princeton
• "The Money Song" - Nicky, Princeton, Gary, Brian and Christmas Eve
• "School for Monsters" - Trekkie Monster and Company
• "The Money Song (Reprise)" - Nicky, Princeton, Gary, Brian and Christmas Eve
• "There's a Fine, Fine Line (Reprise)" - Princeton and Kate
• "What Do You Do With a B.A. in English? (Reprise)" - Newcomer
• "For Now" - Kate, Brian, Gary, Nicky, Rod, Christmas Eve, Trekkie Monster, Lucy, The Bad Idea Bears, Princeton and Company

‡ = Not on original cast recording.

Other Avenue Q songs

So far, there are six known Avenue Q songs that are not in the show itself.

• "Tear It Up and Throw It Away": before being cut, it came between the opening number and "If You Were Gay." Kate Monster is called for jury duty and won't be able to go to the aquarium with Nicky. He tells her to pretend she didn't get the summons and that nobody will notice if she just doesn't go ("just like the airlines, they overbook!"). As the number has no relevance to the plot as it is today, it was cut in rehearsals off-Broadway. (The cut came so late that the earliest promotional materials for the show refer to the song.) Rick Lyon and Stephanie D'Abruzzo recorded the song, and while it is not on the cast recording, the song was on a CD that was included with the original souvenir program.

• "How Much Do the People in Your Neighborhood Make?": a song written very early in the show's history and abandoned when it was decided to pursue a stage production rather than a television series.

• "Rod's Dilemma": written for Tony voters, this song spoofs the Tony voting as a vote for Rod's Rotary Club's president. Rod can't decide whether to vote for the man he has a crush on, a wealthy man, or an old friend. The residents of Avenue Q tell him not to "vote for your friends, 'cause they say you should/vote for the candidate you think is good". Princeton notes that "it's a secret ballot, so nobody has to know who you voted for!"

• "Only in Vegas": This song was written to promote the Las Vegas production. It features Rick Lyon as Steve Wynn telling the cast of Avenue Q how happy they will be in Vegas. The song was performed on Regis and Kelly and in some press and media events. The song was the first that did not parody Sesame Street songs, instead sending up Las Vegas-style songs. It was also the first Avenue Q recording that did not feature the original Broadway cast.

• "Rod's Christmas": Found on the CD Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 5. Rod headlines at the "Don't Tell Daddy's Cabaret and Night Club." (The name is a parody of the famous New York piano bar Don't Tell Mama, which is named for a song from Cabaret.) Christmas is the time of year where he can combine his two great loves: "Christmas carols and showtunes". He sings a Christmas medley but gets no applause. Subsequent Carols for a Cure recordings feature Avenue Q cast members out of character.

• "Time": Shown in London previews on the video screens at the intermission, it was a video of Nicky sitting on the toilet, singing that he is taking his time before the next act begins, with people waiting for the stall yelling at him to get out. It was cut during early previews, although a CD that includes it is included with the souvenir brochure. The video is also available on YouTube. It features a short appearance by Matt Lucas. It can be seen Time - Avenue Q here.

• "Christmas": "Purpose" with new, festive lyrics. Written by the company of Avenue Q London for the charity, Theatrecares' "West End Christmas" event. It is on a special CD, but can also be heard at Jon Robyns' official website.

Original production

Avenue Q was initially developed at the 2002 National Music Theatre Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. The musical opened off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre on March 20, 2003 and closed on May 4, 2003. It won the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical.

The production then transferred to Broadway at the John Golden Theatre beginning on July 10, 2003 in previews with an official opening on July 31, 2003. The Broadway production closed on September 13, 2009 after 22 previews and 2,534 regular performances. Avenue Q won three 2004 Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, despite strong competition from Wicked. The production was directed by Jason Moore and choreographed by Ken Roberson. The puppets were conceived and designed by original cast member Rick Lyon. Stephen Oremus did musical supervision, orchestration and arrangements for Avenue Q and its cast album.

The Original Broadway cast included:

• Princeton/Rod: John Tartaglia
• Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Stephanie D'Abruzzo
• Trekkie Monster, Nicky, Bear, Etc.: Rick Lyon
• Gary Coleman: Natalie Venetia Belcon
• Brian: Jordan Gelber
• Christmas Eve: Ann Harada
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Jennifer Barnhart

The Final Broadway cast included:

• Princeton/Rod: Robert McClure
• Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Anika Larsen
• Trekkie Monster, Nicky, Bear, Etc.: Christian Anderson
• Gary Coleman: Danielle K. Thomas
• Brian: Nicholas Kohn
• Christmas Eve: Ann Harada
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Jennifer Barnhart

As of June 21, 2009, the production had grossed $117,009,852 and had returned profits of $23,500,000 to its investors.

Subsequent productions

Las Vegas production

On September 8, 2005, a second production of Avenue Q opened up at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino in Las Vegas. This production had an "exclusive" contract that precluded Avenue Q tours in North America. A new 1,200 seat theater was built specially for the show. There were some differences from the Broadway production, including a new reprise of "It Sucks to Be Me" for Princeton at the top of Act Two, some new orchestrations, a trimmed "The Money Song," and a new rock arrangement of "There Is Life Outside Your Apartment," as well as a few jokes aimed at Las Vegas audiences.

In mid-January 2006, the show was cut to 90 minutes, removing the intermission and trimming 10–15 minutes of material. Steve Wynn promoted the show heavily, including dressing 20 cabs in orange fuzz to promote the show. They had "Q" in white letters etched in front. The show closed on May 28, 2006, after a nine-month run. The closing of the show in Las Vegas released the Avenue Q producers from their exclusivity agreement, opening the way for other U.S. productions.

London production

A production premiered in June 2006 in London's West End at the Noël Coward Theatre (Avenue Q is its first production since it changed its name from the Albery Theatre), produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The show previewed on June 1, 2006 and opened on June 28, 2006. Avenue Q was booking in London until April 25, 2009 but posted early closing notices on October 17, 2008 to schedule its closure on March 28, 2009. However, there was a surge in ticket sales and the show re-opened on June 1, 2009 at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, two months after the show left the Noël Coward Theatre to make way for producer Cameron Mackintosh's production of Calendar Girls. The production uses a different logo for the show as well as the original logo. The original logo is styled after the New York City Subway system graphics, and so it would have little resonance with a London audience. In September 2009, it was announced that after 3 years in London the show was to close in March 2010.The most noticeable initial change was that Gary Coleman was assumed not to be well known enough for a UK audience, and the character was changed to "Gary — that famous kid from TV" and cast as a male actor instead of a female. This also caused a rewrite of the orchestration's nod to Diff'rent Strokes in "It Sucks To Be Me" and a slightly revised lyric for Gary in the song. After audience polling, the character's name was changed back to Gary Coleman, the Diff'rent Strokes theme quote was re-included in the score, and the original dialogue of his catchphrase: "Whatchoo talkin' about Willis?" was reinstated. The lyrics remained in their altered version, and Gary is still cast with a male actor (although understudies for the role are both male and female.)

Other major changes between Broadway and London are as follows:

• A revision of Gary's lyrics in "It Sucks To Be Me" (see above)
• Kate Monster's speech about her purpose in life in Scene 4 is different. Where on Broadway she spoke about how the curriculum did not include "Monster Arts and History", in London she complains about how "the media only talks about the bad things that Monsters do", and insists that "Some of the most productive members of our society are people of fur". (Later incorporated into Broadway version).
• In "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" (Scene 4), Princeton asks Gary if he makes jokes about French people, instead of "Polacks". Gary responds "Well, sure I do, those French people are such assholes!" instead of "Well, sure I do! Those stupid Polacks!"
• The opening of Act Two is among one of the larger changes to the production. The Entr'acte is a new orchestration. In the London production a reprise of "It Sucks To Be Me" is played as the Entr'acte which is partially sung by Princeton, whereas in other productions a different Entr'acte was performed before Princeton simply gave dialogue.
• A verse of "Schadenfreude" is removed.
• "The Money Song" is largely different; a verse is added, and the entrances of Christmas Eve, Brian and Gary are less notable. Christmas Eve faints after putting money in to the hat, while Gary exclaims that he "hasn't felt this good since I sued my parents!"
• A more recent change, during the closing number, "For Now", the lyric "George Bush is only for now" until recently was sung as "George Bush was only for now". In August 2009 this lyric was once again changed to "Swine Flu is only for now", after the cast briefly tried the lyric of "Recession is only for now" - to little audience response. For the final Broadway performance, this line was changed to "This show is only for now". In the current Off-Broadway run, the line has been changed to "Fox News is only for now.".
• The Curtain Call music is not performed live in London. Instead, a recorded track plays, and the band appears on stage at the end, miming instruments to the track. On Broadway, the band appear on the video screens briefly during curtain call.

The original London cast (starting June 28, 2006) was:

• Princeton/Rod: Jon Robyns until 1 December 2007
• Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Julie Atherton until 1 December 2007, and 1 December 2008 until 3 October 2009
• Trekkie Monster, Nicky, Bear, etc.: Simon Lipkin until 1 December 2007
• Gary Coleman: Giles Terera until 2 June 2007
• Brian: Sion Lloyd until 1 December 2007
• Christmas Eve: Ann Harada
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Clare Foster until 2 June 2007

Notable replacement actors include:

• Princeton/Rod: Daniel Boys since 3 December 2007
• Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Rebecca Lock 3 December 2007 - 30 November 2008
• Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut: Cassidy Janson since 5 October 2009
• Trekkie Monster, Nicky, Bear, etc.: Mark Goldthorp
• Gary Coleman: Delroy Atkinson from 4 June 2007 - June 2008
• Gary Coleman: Edward Baruwa since 2 June 2008
• Brian: Christopher Fry since 3 December 2007
• Christmas Eve: Naoko Mori from 20 November 2006 - 14 April 2007
• Christmas Eve: Jennifer Tanarez from 16 April 2007
• Christmas Eve: Joanna Ampil since 2008
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Mary Doherty from 4 June 2007 - 31 May 2008, and 10 November 2008 - 29 November 2008
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Jacqui Sanchez from 2 June 2008 - 8 November 2008
• Mrs. Thistletwat, Bear, etc.: Rachel Jerram since 1 December 2008

U.S./Canada Tour

The first national tour began at the Spreckels Theatre in San Diego, California on June 30, 2007. It was directed by Jason Moore, and choreographed by Ken Roberson with music supervision by Stephen Oremus and musical direction by Andrew Graham. The tour played a total of 721 performances and closed at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wisconsin on May 10, 2009. The original cast included Robert McClure as Princeton/Rod & Kelli Sawyer as Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut.

Per the Opening Night Playbill the original cast was as follows (The San Diego engagement ran until August 5, 2007):

• Princeton, Rod — Robert McClure
• Brian — Cole Porter
• Kate Monster, Lucy & Others — Kelli Sawyer
• Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & Others — Christian Anderson
• Christmas Eve — Angela Ai
• Gary Coleman — Carla Renata
• Mrs. T., Bear & Others — Minglie Chen

Per the Appleton, WI Playbill the closing cast was as follows (The Appleton engagement ran until May 10, 2009):

• Princeton, Rod — Seth Rettberg
• Brian — Cole Porter
• Kate Monster, Lucy & Others — Anika Larsen
• Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & Others — David Benoit
• Christmas Eve — Sala Iwamatsu
• Gary Coleman — Danielle K. Thomas
• Mrs. T., Bear & Others — Maggie Lakis

For the Toronto part of the tour, Producer Dancap Productions and Advertising Agency Sans Blah launched a contest allowing fans of the show to win tickets by uploading photos of them self and adding the Avenue Q characters. The contest ended August 26, but the site still allows fans to create photos.

Second National tour

A second national tour of 'Avenue Q' opened with a non-Equity cast in Clemson, South Carolina on September 24, 2009.The cast is as follows:

• Princeton/Rod - Brent Michael DiRoma
• Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut - Jacqueline Grabois
• Nicky/Trekkie Monster/Bear/Others - Jason Heymann
• Mrs. T/Bear/Others - Kerri Brackin
• Christmas Eve - Lisa Helmi Johanson
• Brian - Tim Kornblum
• Gary Coleman - Nigel Jamaal Clark

Off-Broadway

The musical is scheduled to transfer to off-Broadway at New World Stages in previews on October 9, 2009, officially on October 21, 2009. The cast features Anika Larsen as Kate Monster, Seth Rettberg as Princeton/Rod, Cullen Titmus as Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Danielle K. Thomas as Gary Coleman (who also played that role in the first national tour of the show), Sala Iwamatsu as Christmas Eve, Nicholas Kohn as Brian and Maggie Lakis as Mrs. T/Bad Idea Bear.

International productions

2007

The first translated version of the musical opened on February 16, 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden, at Maxim teatern, starring Jakob Stadell as Princeton/Rod, and Cecilia Wrangel as Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut. Avenue Q played at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki, Finland, from February 23, 2007 to May 19, 2007. A Filipino production ran in Manila in September and December 2007, and is scheduled to return in June 2008 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga. The original Manila cast included Felix Rivera as Princeton and Rod; and Rachel Alejandro as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut. Other cast members in the Philippine production included former child-star Aiza Seguerra as Gary Coleman, Joel Trinidad as Trekkie Monster and Frenchie Dy as Christmas Eve. An Israeli production opened on October 23, 2007 at the Beth Lessin Theatre, directed by Moshe Kepten and translated into Hebrew by Eli Bijaoui. It was heavily rewritten in order to make the show more accessible to the local public and language with the major change being the entire replacement of the Gary Coleman character by Michal Yannai, Former "Queen of Children". The Israeli cast includes Roy Bar-Natan as Princeton and Rod, Idan Alterman as Nicky and Bear and Tali Oren as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut. Michal Yannai appears as "herself".

2008

An Israeli tour played in Jerusalem and Haifa in January and February 2008, but returned to Tel Aviv in March 2008.

A Mexican version performed from April 29 to October 26 at Centro Cultural Telmex in Mexico City and is expected to tour Guadalajara and Monterrey in 2008. This production underwent, several changes including a completely redesigned set, puppeteers wearing bold colors instead of the customary black/grey combination, a bus company advertisements on set, and the substitution of Gary Coleman for a character that references a local actor without explicitly mentioning his name (who reportedly complained about this reference remaining which he strictly forbade when approached earlier by the company) The cast includes teen-band star Christian Chávez and other actors of telenovela and reality show background. This production's puppets were built by Rick Lyon's company.

After its successful Manila run, the Philippine production played in Singapore[74723] from October 30, 2008 to November 16, 2008 at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. A Russian version of the musical is planned for Moscow in late 2008. A French version of the musical is planned for Paris in late 2008. A Swedish tour started in October 2008, with dates booked for Umeå, Linköping, Gävle, Örebro, Halmstad, Lund, Kungsbacka, and Skövde. This production will return to Stockholm in April, 2009. [74724]

2009

As of March 2009, a Hungarian version of the musical is being shown in the Centrál Színház in Budapest. This production replaces the character "Gary Coleman" with "Michael Jackson" (because Gary Coleman is not well-known in Hungary) who, according to the story in the show, ended up on Avenue Q after two six-year-old boys sued him for his entire estate. Following Michael Jackson's death, in August 2009 the book was updated to say that Michael had gotten into immense debts ("Tina Turner was right, I really shouldn't have bought that fifth amusement park."), and "following Elvis's advice", he faked his own death to escape. The show is otherwise based on the London production.

In Istanbul, Turkey, the show premiered on 26 March 2009.

In Brazil, the musical is currently at São Paulo, after going to Rio de Janeiro.

The show premiered in Italy on the 16th of October 2009 in Bologna and then in Rome on the 20th before starting a national tour.

Australian/New Zealand Production

The Australian production began previews on May 29, 2009 and opened on June 4, 2009 at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Victoria. The production featured a local cast of 11, including Michala Banas in the role of Kate/Lucy T.Slut and Mitchell Butel as Princeton/Rod. The production featured the original puppet design, but a new set design. It has a female Gary Coleman and makes contemporary references: the line "George Bush is only for now" was sung "Swine Flu is only for now" and Trekkie Monster refers to porn as the only profitable industry in the global financial crisis. In "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", Gary refers to Irish people ("Those dumb fuck Paddies"), not Polish or French. The production will visit Sydney in August, before touring Canberra (Australian Capital Territory), Perth (Western Australia), Adelaide (South Australia), Brisbane (Queensland), and Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand.

Royal Tunbridge Wells production

In 2008, production company "Very Clever Theatre" received press and industry attention after they obtained the permission of the Authors and Producers of Avenue Q London, Cameron Mackintosh to create and perform a new production of the show at the Trinity Theatre in Royal Tunbridge Wells, in spite of the London production still running and the licenses remaining under heavy restriction. The single performance took place on August 2, 2008 , raising close to £3,000 for the BBC Children in Need charity. The subsequently award winning production is only of particular note because it is one of only two amateur productions of Avenue Q to ever be licensed in the world, the other of which took place in Kalamazoo the preceding January.

Avenue Q promotional events

On September 30, 2004, the day of the first Bush-Kerry presidential debate, on a stage set up in Times Square, the cast of Avenue Q presented their version of the debate, called Avenue Q&A, with portrait puppets of Bush and Kerry created by Rick Lyon. Eighteen television networks covered the event. Lyon operated the Bush puppet, while Jennifer Barnhart operated the Kerry puppet. Each puppet sang responses to questions from Avenue Q's concerned residents, and then the whole cast sang to the rain-drenched crowds to "Vote your heart!"

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa puppets created by Lyon hosted the first few minutes of an episode of Live! with Regis and Kelly. In addition, Rod and John Tartaglia did "man-on-the-street"-style interviews on the 2005 NBC broadcast of the Macy's Day Parade. Rod and John also appeared alongside other Broadway stars in a World AIDS Day benefit concert of Pippin held at the Manhattan Center on November 29, 2004. Rod played "The Head."

In another World AIDS Day benefit, the original cast of Avenue Q and the cast of the recent Broadway revival of Fiddler On The Roof presented a 10-minute performance that was essentially a spoof of Fiddler and Avenue Q called "Avenue Jew," in which Trekkie Monster played the Fiddler Theme and, at its conclusion, ate the fiddle. In a sort of epilogue to Tevye's story, Tevye, his wife Golde, and his two remaining unwed daughters arrive on Avenue Jew, an area inhabited by Jewish puppets (the Q cast played Jewish versions of their usual characters). Avenue Jew is also home to some human Jews such as Brian and Hannukah Eve. The human Jews are fed up with the puppet Jews upstaging them. Jewish-American Princeton arrives asking "What do you do with a B.A. in Yiddish?" One of Tevye's daughter's, Shprintze, falls in love with Princeton, but Tevye forbids their union. The Matchmaker (who is played by Mrs. Thistletwat) sets Rod up with Lazar Wolf ("I'm a lonely man, Tevye"). After a brief interior monologue, Tevye finally consents to Princeton and Shprintze's marriage. Rod and Lazar Wolf also wish to be wed, so they decide to ask permission from the Tsar, who happens to be a puppet Bush, who forbids gay marriage. Ben Brantley interrupts, asking who the real Jewish people in the cast are, and the company finish with a rousing finale, telling us that "everyone's a little bit Jewish" and "in theatre you can be whatever you want to be."

In November 2005, the Avenue Q website held a "One Night Stand" contest, calling for people to register their puppets and see whose was most worthy to be put next to Rick Lyon's. Eventually, the contest narrowed to 10 entrants, and later to three, at which point the worthiest puppet and puppeteer were voted on. Andrew MacDonald Smith and his puppet Maurice Tipo won. On March 10, 2006, Smith and his puppet appeared onstage during a show performance, appearing in the café scene, singing the opening song and curtain call.

In July 2006, several members of Avenue Q appeared for the opening ceremonies of the Gay Games in Chicago. In October 2006, Jonathan Root and Princeton presented the award for Best Young Adult Novel at the Quill Awards. In November 2006, the London cast appeared on the BBC Children in Need show and performed "It Sucks To Be Me." In December 2006, the London cast performed on the Royal Variety Performance and performed "It Sucks To Be Me," "For Now," and "Special," in which 'Lucy the Slut' suggested through lyrics and dialogue she was making a pass at Charles, Prince of Wales.

The cast of Avenue Q and puppets appeared briefly in the 2007 "This Is New York" ad for tourists.

The cast of Avenue Q and puppets took to the stage at Trafalgar Square on 4 July 2009 as part of the "London Pride 2009" celebration, performing "If You Were Gay", "Special" and "For Now" with 'Lucy the Slut' assuring all the ladies in the audience that she swings both ways.

The cast of Avenue Q appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on August 13, 2009 to promote the last month of shows, performing "The Internet is for Porn" for the first time on national television.

Puppets

Although the puppets are substantially similar, there are three main types of puppets used in Avenue Q.

Single-rod puppets

Princeton, Kate Monster

In a single-rod puppet, if the puppeteer is right-handed, the right hand goes inside the puppet and controls the mouth. If he/she is left-handed, it is vice versa. The puppeteer's left hand holds the rod attached to the puppet's left hand, and the puppet's right hand is pinned to its side. Should the puppet need to manipulate a prop, the puppeteer holds the puppet's hand and the prop, creating the illusion that the puppet is holding the object.

Double-rod puppets

Rod, Lucy, the Bad Idea Bears, the Newcomer

Double-rod puppets are similar to single-rod puppets but feature two rods instead of one. Instead of the puppet's right hand being stitched to its side, both hands are able to be moved. The puppeteer holds both rods in his left hand, while the right hand manipulates the mouth. Occasionally, the puppeteer will use only one of the puppet's hand in a motion and will need to drop the other rod but will pick up the rod after the action.

In both single rod and double rod puppets, the fingers have a skeleton of florist wire. This means that the fingers can be manipulated to make more intricate gestures.

Live-hands puppets

Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Mrs. Thistletwat, Ricky

Live-hands puppets are more intricately maneuvered, requiring two puppeteers. The puppeteers' hands and arms fit into long sleeves and gloves and become the arms and hands of the puppet. The speaking actor controls the puppet's left hand and mouth while the second controls the puppet's right hand. On occasion, either puppeteer will leave to command another puppet, and the remaining puppeteer will control the whole puppet. In a variation on this puppet, one or both of the puppet's hands can be stitched to its body.

Original Broadway cast recording

The original cast recording was made on August 10, 2003, at Right Track Studio A in New York City, produced by Grammy Award winner Jay David Saks for RCA Victor. The album contains almost all of the music from the show, with the original Broadway cast and orchestra. Released on October 6, 2003, it has been in the top ten of the Billboard Top Cast Album Chart since the chart's launch on January 12, 2006. It was nominated for the Musical Show Album category in the 2004 Grammy Awards.

The cast album presents the music in the order in which it appears in the show, omitting short and primarily instrumental sections. Though not included on the cast album, the cut song “Tear It Up And Throw It Away” was recorded by Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Rick Lyon and issued for a time inside copies of the souvenir program book. Other recorded songs by members of the Broadway cast include three which are not part of the show: "Rod's Dilemma" (which can be heard on avenueq.com), "Only In Vegas", and two Christmas songs: "Rod's Christmas" (on Carols For A Cure, Vol. 5) and "Holi-Daze" (on Carols For A Cure, Vol. 8). See "Other Avenue Q Songs," above, for more information.

Awards and nominations

Broadway production

• Tony Award for Best Musical
• Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (Jeff Whitty)
• Tony Award for Best Original Score (Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx)
• Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Jason Moore) (nomination)
• Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (John Tartaglia) (nomination)
• Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) (nomination)

• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Musical (nominee)
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical (nominee)
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical (nominee)
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (nominee)
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (nominee)

The soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination

1st National Tour (US/Canada)

• Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Non-Resident Production (Washington DC)
• GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Theatre Production (Los Angeles)
• Drama Critics Circle Award for Puppet Design by Rick Lyon (Los Angeles)

London production

• Variety Club Showbiz Theatre Award for 2006 won by London cast
• Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical (Caroline, or Change won the award; that show was nominated for a Tony the same year as Avenue Q.)

Israel production

• Israeli Theatre Award for the Best Entertainment Show (Winner)
• Israeli Theatre Award for the Best Translator (nominee)
• Israeli Theatre Award for the Best Choreographer (nominee)

References

External links

• Official website
• London Production Website
• İstanbul Production Website
• Brazilian Production Website - São Paulo, Brasil
• Italian Production Website
• Official website of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q creators/composers/lyricists
• Official website of Rick Lyon, "Avenue Q" Puppet Designer/builder and original cast member
• Licensing agent MTI's website
• Puppet Wikia: Avenue Q
• The Very Clever Theatre Official Site : Producers of the Royal Tunbridge Wells show
• Avenue Q at BroadwayWorld.com
• Song Lyrics