By Ernio Hernandez
31 Jul 2009

Avenue Q's Rod

The Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q will celebrate its sixth year on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre July 31.

The puppet-and-people-populated show, which has played more than 2,500 performances, recently announced its Sept. 13 closing date.

The Broadway company currently features original cast members Ann Harada (as Christmas Eve) and Jennifer Barnhart (as Mrs. T and others) as well as Robert McClure (Princeton/Rod), Anika Larsen (Kate Monster/Lucy), Christian Anderson (Trekkie Monster/Nicky), Nicholas Kohn (Brian) and Danielle K. Thomas (Gary Coleman).

Avenue Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, a book by Jeff Whitty and direction by Jason Moore. The musical is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

Following an Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre, the musical began previews at the Golden Theatre July 10, 2003 and officially opened July 31. The original cast included Jennifer Barnhart, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jordan Gelber, Ann Harada, Rick Lyon, John Tartaglia and Natalie Venetian Belcon. The show took home 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Whitty) and Best Original Score (Lopez and Marx).

The puppets in the show were conceived and designed by original cast member Rick Lyon. The production has musical supervision by Stephen Oremus and choreography by Ken Roberson. The design team includes Anna Louizos (scenic), Mirena Rada (costume), Howell Binkley (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound).

For more information visit AvenueQ.com.