Original Broadway cast members Tartaglia and Lyon will be joined by the Tony Award winning musical's beloved puppet characters Rod, Lucy, Trekkie Monster and a portable likeness of Las Vegas impressario Steve Wynn on the talk show's Labor Day telecast. The promotional song (not in the show) was penned by Q Tony-winning creators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx with dialogue by fellow Tony winner Jeff Whitty. Stephen Oremus provides arrangement and orchestrations.
Tartaglia and Lyon lead the new Las Vegas cast of the 2004 Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q at the Broadway Theatre stage in the Wynn Las Vegas. Performances began Aug. 27 toward a Sept. 8 opening night at the new $40 million theatre built especially for the show at the new casino resort.
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Broadway producers Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre and The New Group are joined by Wynn Las Vegas for the new production, which is the only Avenue Q production outside of New York.
Starting Sept. 3, the show will play on a 10-show-per-week schedule (with two dark nights). The curtain will rise twice a night at 6:30 PM and 10 PM. Tartaglia — who plays Princeton and Rod — and Lyon — who handles Nicky, Trekkie Monster and more — will be joined in the doubled ensemble by Angela Ai (as Christmas Eve), David Benoit (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, et al.), Steven Booth (ensemble), Minglie Chen, Tonya Dixon (Gary Coleman), Rita Dolphin (Mrs. T. and others), Natalie Gray (Christmas Eve), Phyre Hawkins (ensemble), Nicholas Kohn (Brian), Michelle Lane (ensemble), Kevin Noonchester (ensemble), Brynn O'Malley (Kate Monster, Lucy, et al.), Cole Porter (Brian), Jonathan Root (Princeton and Rod), Kelli Sawyer (Kate Monster, Lucy, et al.), Sharon Wheatley (Mrs. T. and others) and Haneefah Wood (Gary Coleman).
The 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, 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. The production bears the warning: "Full puppet nudity, not suitable for children."
The show's creators Lopez and Marx earned a Tony for their score as did bookwriter Whitty and the musical itself garnered the top prize as Best Musical at the 2004 Tony Awards. Jason Moore (Steel Magnolias) directed with musical direction by Gary Adler (Altar Boyz).
Avenue Q features puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon. Musical supervision is by Stephen Oremus and choreography is handled by Ken Roberson. The design team includes Anna Louizos (scenic), Mirena Rada (costume), lighting Howell Binkley (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners (sound).
The puppet and people-populated musical — which recouped its initial Broadway investment last year — currently also plays at Broadway's John Golden Theatre with five original cast members (Jennifer Barnhart, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Jordan Gelber, Ann Harada and Tony Award-nominated Stephanie D'Abruzzo) joined by Barrett Foa and Christian Anderson.
Tickets for Avenue Q at the Wynn, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South in Las Vegas, NV are available by phone or online at (702) 770-7000, toll free (888) 320 7123 or www.wynnlasvegas.com. For more information on the show, visit www.avenueq.com.
