AVENUE Q is Back in Manila; 3/12-27

"Welcome back to AVENUE Q.  The musical that never dies," remarks pop singer Rachel Alejandro (Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut).

Original Manila cast members, and new cast addition Calvin Millado (Brian) recently met with BroadwayWorld.com Philippines, and some local bloggers to officially announce that 2004 Tony Award Best Musical, which proudly shows off its explicit lyrics and never before seen full puppet nudity, will return to the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City from March 12 to 27, 2010. 

AVENUE Q, which currently plays Off-Broadway, opened in Manila in 2007.  Produced by Atlantis Productions ("Spring Awakening," "Spelling Bee"), the show had two successful re-runs in Manila, and a series of performances at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore since its premiere. 

Alejandro, Millado, Felix Rivera (Princeton), Aiza Seguerra (Gary Coleman), Frenchie Dy (Christmas Eve), Joel Trinidad (Trekkie Monster), and Thea Tadiar (Trekkie Monster's right hand) complete the cast in yet another limited engagement. 

Originally intended as a television series, AVENUE Q follows the hilarious and inspiring story of puppet Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate who comes to New York City with big dreams. Unfortunately, his financial status could not afford him an apartment on Avenue A. So, he had to settle living on Avenue Q for now. But here's the good news -- his new neighbors have turned out to be an outrageously funny bunch of humans and puppets!

"I missed the shows in Singapore and the last run in Manila. Carla Guevara-Laforteza played Kate and Lucy that time. But, I so loved this show, and I wouldn't exchange this for anything. So, I'm back," shares Alejandro. 

Moreover, "After a year of not doing this, the excitement we feel again is what we bring new to this run," says Rivera.

Described as a cross between the children's television show SESAME STREET and another Tony Award-winning musical RENT, AVENUE Q has been delighting theatre audiences all over the world, especially because of the award-winning and funny score by Jeff Marx and Filipino-American Robert Lopez, and its clever book by Jeff Whitty.  This hilarious, irreverent play even won the Tony Award for Best Musical over WICKED in 2004. ("Wicked" was recently declared as Broadway's most successful musical of the decade.)

"WICKED has great songs, great production numbers, great sets and everything.  But it's still just a Broadway show.  It's well-played...a really brilliant Broadway show.  But AVENUE Q is something completely new. No one has ever seen anything like this.  The bold choice of music and puppets, and the much bolder choice of having the puppeteers visible on stage...It's simply groundbreaking," explains Trinidad.

"This show even talks about real things, and it's never preachy even for the ones who are very conservative," adds Rivera.

AVENUE Q in Manila is directed by Bobby Garcia ("Urinetown," "Hairspray") and Chari Arespacochaga ("Spring Awakening," "Altar Boyz") with set design by Mio Infante, lighting design by Jonsy Reyes, and puppet design by Samuel Fuentes based on the original Broadway production.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at (632) 892-7078 or 840-1187. You may also visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com or follow AVENUE Q Manila on Twitter at http://twitter.com/avenueQmanila.