Theatre Group at SBCC Presents AVENUE Q, Now thru July 28

The Theatre Group at SBCC returns to performing in the beautiful, newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, now through July 28, 2012.

Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to mix jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Avenue Q mixes puppets with human characters to teach lessons that are definitely not for children. It contains adult language and material. It will be directed by Rick Mokler with musical direction by David Potter.

Avenue Q was developed as a stage production at the 2002 National Music Theatre Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut. Avenue Q opened Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in March 2003, where it gained rave reviews, and was extended four times. It won the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical, as well as a nomination for the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical award.

Avenue Q opened on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre on July 31, 2003, after previews beginning July 10th. Directed by Jason Moore and choreographed by Ken Roberson, the show was nominated for 6 Tony Awards and won 3, including Best Musical.

Avenue Q's success has spawned Las Vegas and West End productions, two national tours, and a variety of international productions. Avenue Q played its final Broadway performance on September 13, 2009 before opening Off-Broadway six weeks later.

Avenue Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

The cast of Avenue Q features Equity Guest Artist Ryan Murray as Princeton, and Katherine Brady as Christmas Eve. Rounding out the cast will be Daniel Herrera, Sean Jackson, Emily E. Jewell, Janina Mason, Miguel Miranda, Tad Murroughs, Willie Simpson, Amanda Terman and Katie Thatcher.

Performances will be tonight, July 13 through July 28, 2012, Thursday through Saturday @ 7:30pm, Sunday @ 2pm, Previews at 7:30pm. Ticket prices: Previews $16 general/$13 seniors/$8 students, Friday and Saturday evenings $23 general/$18 seniors/$15 students, Thursday evenings and Sunday matiness $21 general/$16 seniors/$12 students. The Garvin Theatre is wheelchair accessible and has assisted listening. The Sunday, July 15, 2pm performance will be live-captioned for the hearing-impaired. Parking is free and near the theatres. Call the Garvin Theatre Box Office at 965-5935 or go to www.theatregroupsbcc.com for reservations and information.

The 2012/2013 season of The Theatre Group at SBCC will be Avenue Q, August: Osage County, Present Laughter and Becky’s New Car.

THE CAST

Katherine Brady (Christmas Eve) National tour: In the Heights (Carla, u/s Nina, Vanessa). Regional: Annie, Miss Saigon (Moonlight Amphitheater); Cats (MT West); Annie (Starlight CLO). Katherine graduated from the University of California, Irvine (B.F.A., Musical Theater). She is honored to be a part of the reopening of the Garvin Theatre and to be working again back at home in Santa Barbara.

DANIEL J HERRERA (Brian) was introduced and studied theatre at SBCC. He has acted, stage managed, directed, and produced over 30 plays locally. Some of his favorites include acting in To Kill a Mockingbird (Garvin Theatre), stage managing Bill W. and Dr. Bob (Center Stage Theatre), directing The Bible: The Complete Word of God [Abridged] (Jurkowitz Theatre), and Co-Producing/ Directing Dreaming of Graceland (Center Stage Theater). He is excited and honored to be back home on the Garvin Stage.

More Articles by This Author...