Renata will succeed Rashidra Scott in the role of Gary Coleman. She will join a cast that currently includes Howie Michael Smith as Rod/Princeton, Nicholas Kohn as Brian, Sarah Stiles as Kate Monster/Lucy, Christian Anderson as Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Ann Sanders as Christmas Eve and Jennifer Barnhart as Mrs. T/Bear with Sala Iwamatsu and Jonathan Root in the ensemble.

Carla Renata has been seen on Broadway in The Life, Smokey Joe's Cafe and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and in the national tours of Avenue Q, The Who's Tommy and We Will Rock You (Las Vegas). Her screen credits include "CSI," "Will & Grace" and "According to Jim."

Avenue Q played its 2,000th performance at the Golden Theatre June 3. The Jeff Marx-Bobby Lopez musical is now the 25th longest-running production in Broadway history, having surpassed the original runs of South Pacific (1,925) and Pippin (1,944).

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 by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

Puppets were conceived and designed by original cast member Rick Lyon. The production has musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Acme Sound Partners. After an acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre, Avenue Q 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 musical won 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (Jeff Whitty) and Best Original Score (Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx).

For more information visit www.avenueq.com. For tickets call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.