By Ernio Hernandez
21 Oct 2009

Lucy The Slut and Anika Larsen
photo by Carol Rosegg

It may be "Only for Now" but Avenue Q continues. Returning to its Off-Broadway roots, the Tony Award-winning musical officially opens at New World Stages Oct. 21.

The musical concluded its six-year Broadway run at the Golden Theatre Sept. 13 with the announcement of the move to Off-Broadway. Previews began Oct. 9 at the complex's Stage 3 in midtown Manhattan's theatre district.

The cast features Anika Larsen (as Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut), Seth Rettberg (Princeton/Rod), Cullen Titmus (Nicky/Trekkie Monster), Danielle K. Thomas (Gary Coleman), Sala Iwamatsu (Christmas Eve), Nicholas Kohn (Brian) and Maggie Lakis (Mrs. Thistletwat/Bad Idea Bear).

The show follows the adventures of the residents of the fictitious New York City street which is populated by monsters (puppets) and people alike. Lessons about purpose, racism, internet porn and more fill the musical.

Jason Moore directed Avenue Q which features a Tony Award-winning score by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx with a Tony Award-winning book by Jeff Whitty. (The show also garnered the 2004 top Tony Award for Best Musical.)

Puppets are conceived and designed by Rick Lyon. The production features musical supervision by Stephen Oremus and choreography by Ken Roberson. The design team features Anna Louizos (scenic), Mirena Rada (costume), Howell Binkley (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound).

The musical is produced at New World Stages by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

Avenue Q originally played an Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre, then transferred to Broadway's Golden Theatre and opened July 31, 2003. The original cast included Jennifer Barnhart, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Jordan Gelber, Ann Harada, Rick Lyon, John Tartaglia and Natalie Venetia Belcon. When it closed on Broadway, the puppet-friendly musical had played 22 previews and 2,534 performances.

For tickets to Avenue Q at New World Stages (50th Street and Eighth Avenue), visit AvenueQ.com.

The cast of Avenue Q.
photo by Carol Rosegg

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