"Avenue Q" Noel Coward Theatre from 1 June 2006

"Avenue Q" Noel Coward Theatre from 1 June 2006

It is now confirmed that the Broadway hit musical Avenue Q will open at the newly re-named Noel Coward Theatre (formerly the Albery Theatre) on 28th June 2006, following previews from 1st June.

Tickets go on sale 13 March 2006

Features Jon Robyns (Princeton and Rod), Simon Lipkin (Nicky and Trekkie Monster), Julie Atherton (Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut), Clare Foster (Mrs T.) , Naoko Mori (Christmas Eve), Sion Lloyd (Brian), Giles Terera (Job), Luke Evans, Matthew J Henry, Gloria Onitiri, Gabriel Vick and Yanle Zhong.

It has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Book by Jeff Whitty. Directed by Jason Moore , designed by Anna Louizos, lighting by Howell Binkley, choreography by Ken Roberson, costumes by Mirena Rada.

Puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon.

Alan Brodie from The Noël Coward Foundation said, "We are delighted that AVENUE Q is the first production in the newly re-named Noël Coward Theatre. It is witty, irreverent, musical and above all entertaining, all elements that Noël Coward himself would have heartily approved. I'm sure Noël would have loved this show."

Avenue Q started its life in 2002 with an off-Broadway run at the 200 seat Vineyard Theatre, where it was extended four times. It then opened at the Golden Theatre on Broadway in July 2003 to critical acclaim. To the delight of all involved, the show went on to beat favourite "Wicked" to win three of the top 2004 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Original Score of a Musical and Best Book of a Musical. London will be only the third production in the world - the other being Las Vegas.

Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets! Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, has just moved to this neighbourhood as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life. A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a hilarious story of self-discovery. Life may suck on AVENUE Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno... and that's just the puppets) are just some of the topics featured in then songs of this show.

It is produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, Vineyard Theatre, The New Group and Cameron Mackintosh