Avenue Q at Courthouse Center for the Arts

Jan. 30, 2012 - PRLog -- BROADWAY HIT “AVENUE Q” IN FIRST RHODE ISLAND PRODUCTION
Smash Broadway Musical Brings Fun, Risqué Element to Local Venue

“Avenue Q”, currently sold out off-Broadway after a 7-year Broadway run, is coming to the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston, RI in its first Rhode Island production.  The story follows a cast of characters – some human, some puppet – in a witty Sesame Street satire that explores the tough details of grown-up life through songs such as “It Sucks To Be Me” and “Schadenfreude”.  “Avenue Q” is written by Jeff Whitty and has music and lyrics by the songwriting team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.  The production won three Tony® Awards, including Best Musical.

The show will be directed by Richard Ericson, Director of the Courthouse Center for the Arts.  JonPaul Rainville will be the assistant director and choreographer for the production, and the musical director will be Lila Kane.  All puppets will be designed and made by local puppet master Nora Eschenheimer.

Performances will be February 16-March 4, 2012 (Thurs-Sun) at the Courthouse Center for the Arts (3481 Kingstown Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892), Thursday and Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm.  Tickets are $15-$25, and go on sale on January 23 for CCA members and January 30 for the general public.  Group Sales may be arranged by contacting Martha Stamp (401-782-1018 ext.8; groupsales@courthousearts.org).  Cast To Be Announced.  Please contact the Box Office for tickets and information (401-782-1018 ext.3).  “Avenue Q” is not suitable for children.  

To follow the Courthouse Center’s agenda of bringing the arts together, there will be kid-friendly puppet programs during the run of this adult “puppet show”.  The downstairs galleries will display the stunning marionette and puppet stage collection of Dan Butterworth throughout the run of “Avenue Q”.  Mr. Butterworth will also hold workshops and shows that will help kids explore the wonder of puppeteering.  For more information on the Courthouse Center for the Arts and its programs, please call 401-782-1018 or visit www.courthousearts.org.

# # #

The Courthouse Center for the Arts has provided education and entertainment in a multitude of art forms since 1988. Since its opening, the staff has kept a busy schedule ranging from art galleries to live theatrical performances to concerts.