Fantasies Come True: Avenue Q Launches National Tour from San Diego June 30

By Ernio Hernandez
30 Jun 2007

Nicky and Christian Anderson begin performances in the national tour of Avenue Q.
Nicky and Christian Anderson begin performances in the national tour of Avenue Q.
photo by Nick Reuchel

The whole country will soon learn why "It Sucks to Be Me" as the national tour of the 2004 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Avenue Q launches June 30 from San Diego.

Presented in association with The Old Globe, the tour will play San Diego's Spreckels Theatre through Aug. 5 before embarking on an 18-month national tour.

Filling the fictional street populated by people and puppets are Robert McClure (as Princeton, Rod), Cole Porter (Brian), Kelli Sawyer (Kate Monster, Lucy The Slut & others), Christian Anderson (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & others), Angela Ai (Christmas Eve), Carla Renata (Gary Coleman) and Minglie Chen (Mrs. T., Bear & others). Rounding out the ensemble are Jennie Kwan, Maggie Lakis, Seth Rettberg, Erica Robinson, Danielle Thomas and Cullen R. Titmas.

The line-up of cities (subject to change) follows:

  • San Francisco, CA (Aug. 7-Sept. 2) - Orpheum Theatre
  • Los Angeles, CA (Sept. 4-Oct. 14) - Ahmanson Theatre
  • Tucson, AZ (Oct. 16-21) - Music Hall
  • Houston, TX (Oct. 23-Nov. 4) - Hobby Center
  • Kansas City, MO (Nov. 6-11) - Music Hall
  • Des Moines, IA (Nov. 13-18) - Civic Center
  • Pittsburgh, PA (Nov. 20-25) - Benedum Center
  • Washington, D.C. (Nov. 27- Dec. 9) - National Theatre
  • Baltimore, MD (Dec. 11-23) - Hippodrome Theatre
  • Minneapolis, MN (Jan. 1-13, 2008) - State Theatre
  • Cleveland, OH (Jan. 15-27, 2008) - Palace Theatre
  • Philadelphia, PA (Jan. 29-Feb. 10, 2008) - Forrest Theatre
  • St. Louis, MO (Feb. 12-24, 2008) - Fox Theatre
  • Milwaukee, WI (Feb. 26- March 2, 2008) - Marcus Center
  • Rochester, NY (March 4-9, 2008) - Auditorium Theatre
  • Boston, MA (March 11-23, 2008) - Colonial Theatre
  • Atlanta, GA (March 25-30, 2008) - Fox Theatre
  • Tampa, FL (April 1-6, 2008) - Tampa Bay PAC
  • Columbus, OH (April 8-13, 2008) - Ohio Theatre
  • East Lansing, MI (April 15-20, 2008) - Wharton Center
  • Louisville, KY (April 22-27, 2008) - Louisville Palace
  • Buffalo, NY (April 29-May 4, 2008) - Shea PAC
  • Raleigh, NC (May 6-11, 2008) - Progress Energy Center
  • Miami, FL (May 13-18, 2008) - Carnival Center
  • Seattle, WA (June 10-22, 2008) - Paramount Theatre
  • Portland, OR (June 24-29, 2008) - Keller Auditorium
  • Ft. Worth, TX (July 8-13, 2008) - Bass Performance Hall
  • Greenville, SC (July 15-20, 2008) - Peace Center
  • Charlotte, NC (July 22-27, 2008) - Blumenthal PAC
  • Toronto, ON (July 29-Aug. 31, 2008) - Elgin Theatre

    Currently in its fourth year on Broadway, the show has already played a run in Las Vegas at the Wynn Las Vegas casino resort — an exclusive deal that originally kept the show from touring — and also enjoys a run at London's Noel Coward Theatre.

    Avenue Q began previews July 11, 2003, and opened July 31 at the John Golden to positive critical and audience response following an Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre. The show's creators, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, earned a Tony for their score as did book writer Jeff Whitty, and the musical itself garnered the top Best Musical prize at the 2004 Tony Awards. Jason Moore (Steel Magnolias) directed with musical direction by Gary Adler (Altar Boyz).

    Avenue Q sends up popular children's television shows such as "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company," while serving up a bounty of pop culture references and solving the mystery of the whereabouts of former "Diff'rent Strokes" child star Gary Coleman. The production bears the warning: "Full puppet nudity, not suitable for children."

    Avenue Q can be found on the web at www.avenueq.com.

    Lucy the Slut and Kelli Sawyer in Avenue Q.
    Lucy the Slut and Kelli Sawyer in Avenue Q.
    photo by Carol Rosegg