"AVENUE Q"
DELIVERS THE LAUGHS

Maurer Productions OnStage Brings Tony-Winning Musical Comedy
to Kelsey Theatre March 1, 2013

West Windsor, NJ  (February 5, 2013) – The award-winning team at Maurer Productions OnStage will deliver the irreverent and hilarious adult musical comedy Avenue Q to Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College. Dates and times for this production are Fridays, Mar. 1 and 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Mar. 2 and 9 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Mar. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance.
Avenue Q, winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical, provides a look at real life in New York City, as told by a cast of people and puppets through a hysterically funny adult-oriented book and score. Sitting at the helm of the production is the NJACT Perry Award-winning director John M. Maurer, who is playing the dual role of director and puppet master.

 “It’s hip, it’s crazy, it’s adult and it’s fun,” said Maurer. “But above all, it’s an exciting challenge to produce. That’s one of the reasons we selected this show. We’re always looking for something exciting and new to bring to the at Kelsey Theatre.”

Under Maurer’s supervision, the MPO team will rise to the challenge by turning over 100 yards of fabric and foam into 15 puppets specifically for this production. All the puppet patterns are being created from scratch, modeling the look and feel of the original Broadway characters designed by the amazing Rick Lyon.

Through raucous, adult-oriented numbers like “The Internet is for Porn”, “It Sucks to be Me”, “I’m not Wearing Underwear” and "You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)", Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone's looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a "purpose." Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that "the real world" isn't so bad, after all!

Maurer Productions OnStage is especially well qualified to mount challenging productions like Avenue Q.  The company has been honored with a dozen NJACT Perry Awards for outstanding achievements in technical and performance categories.  Included among the acclaimed shows are the team’s recent productions of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and “Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA”.

The cast of Avenue Q includes Michael Sundburg as Brian, Stephanie Moon as Christmas Eve, Shannan Gonzalez as Gary Coleman, Zach Mazouat as Princeton, Kyla Mostello Donnelly as Kate, Kyrus Westcott as Nicky, Mark Applegate as Rod, Michael Schiumo as Trekkie, Nicole Spadifino as Lucy the Slut, and Bill Mercado as Mrs. Thistletwat.

The show is produced by John M. Maurer, Diana Gilman Maurer and Dan Maurer with Music Direction by Laurie Gougher, Choreography by Jane Coult, Stage Management by Alycia Bauch, Costumes by Diana & John Maurer, Lighting Design by Kitty Getlik, Sound Design by Robert Terano, and Set Construction by Jeff Cantor.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $14 for students & children and may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater. More information about this production of “Avenue Q” can be found online at www.mponstage.com. 

Photos for use by the media will be available at the following
Internet address…

http://www.mponstage.com/mediarelations