Riverland Community College Theatre and Music
wrap up their 2017-2018 season with the hit musical comedy

The laugh-out-loud Best Musical Tony Award-winner, Avenue Q 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. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score by the composer of Disney's Frozen and The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q is a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Avenue Q is rated R for adult language, humor, and situations.

Avenue Q features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, and is based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Lindsey Duoos Williams directs and choreographs. The set and lighting design is by John Deyo. Costumes are by Madlain Vander. Musical direction is by Jon Davis and vocal direction is by Kaye Perry. Anders Nelson is the stage manager.

Avenue Q stars Paulina Aguirre Quijano as a Resident, Chris Anderson as Rod, Carrie Braaten as Mrs. T/Resident, Isaiah DaMitz as Princeton, Morgan Dickman as Lucy, Jeff Hardies as Trekkie Monster, Austin Hodnefield as Newcomer/Resident, Katie Hunerdosse as Bad Idea Bear, Sarah Krolak as a Resident, Claire Olson as a Resident, Mandie Siems as Kate Monster, Tyler Slack as Gary Coleman, Joshua Whalen as Nicky, Jessica Williams as Bad Idea Bear, and Maria Wilson as Christmas Eve.

“Avenue Q is, hands-down, one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen,” says director Lindsey Duoos Williams. “It’s one of those rare shows that makes you laugh until it hurts but also has a really sweet message about being kind to others as we all try to make our way through life. This is a show for anyone who’s ever been young and just starting out in life, with very little money or certainty about what to do with their time here—and haven’t we all been there?”

“Eleven of the characters in Avenue Q are performed by puppets,” Williams says. “Much like a very popular children’s show on public television, they inhabit a world where puppets and humans live side-by-side and interact with each other. It’s been such a fun challenge for our actors to learn how to work with the puppets, some of which take two people to operate. The puppeteers are always visible, so not only do they have to act and sing, but they also have to operate their puppet. Luckily we have an incredible cast that has risen to the challenge and really brought these characters to life.”

Despite its resemblance to popular children’s television shows, Avenue Q is intended for adult audiences. The show includes strong language, adult situations, and puppet nudity.

Avenue Q will be performed April 19- 21, 26-28 at 7 p.m. and April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Frank W. Bridges Theatre.

Individual tickets to Avenue Q are $16 and currently on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online ticketing system allows customers to choose their seats and pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. Tickets may also be purchased at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.

Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.