10 Apr 2017 UCA to present award-winning musical

Posted at 11:03 AMh in Events by

The University of Central Arkansas Theatre Program will present the Tony award-winning musical “Avenue Q” in April.

Directed by Chris Fritzges, performances are set for 7:30 p.m. April 13, 14, 20 and 21 and at 2 p.m. April 15 and 22 in the Bridges/Larson Theatre of the Snow Fine Arts Center and will include puppeteer Rick Lyon.

“When we were reading shows for the musical performance, I was immediately taken with the prospect of directing ‘Avenue Q,’” said Fritzges, associate professor of theatre. “It is an educational element that would allow us to explore puppetry.“

The production is a traditional two-act musical inspired by the PBS series Sesame Street.

“It puts an adult spin on it by satirizing the promises of childhood and the realities of adulthood,” according to avenueq.com.

“Avenue Q” opened on Broadway in 2003 and won Tony awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book in 2004.

Lyon visited UCA as artist-in-residence earlier in March to work with students on using the puppets he designed for the original Broadway production.

The production is recommended for mature audiences only.

“We expect large audiences for these shows due to its popularity, but even though there are puppets, the show has adult themes and language and is not appropriate for children,” Fritzges said.

Tickets are $10 for the general public. The UCA community may receive two free tickets with current I.D. Reservations may be made by calling 501.450.3265 or by visiting UCA Ticket Central in the Reynolds Performance Hall box office. More information is available at uca.edu/theatre or by contacting Melissa Pearson, UCA Theatre Business Manager, at [email protected] or 501.450.5092.