Photo Flash: Avenue Q National Tour Launches in SF

The first national tour of the 2004 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Avenue Q, officially launched at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre on Wednesday, August 8.

"Irreverent, fun and risqué, Avenue Q is about trying to make it in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account," states press notes. The cast of people and puppets includes Robert McClure (Princeton, Rod), Cole Porter (Brian), Kelli Sawyer (Kate Monster, Lucy The Slut & others), Christian Anderson (Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear & others) Angela Ai (Christmas Eve), Carla Renata (Gary Coleman), and Minglie Chen (Mrs. T., Bear & others); with Jennie Kwan, Maggie Lakis, Seth Rettberg, Erica Robinson, Danielle Thomas, and Cullen R. Titmas.

Directed by Jason Moore, features music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx; Puppet design is by Rick Lyon, musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre is located at 1192 Market at 8th. Performances are through September 2. Performance schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8PM; Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 2PM. Tickets ($30-$90) and can be purchased online at www.shnsf.com, at 415-512-7770, or www.ticketmaster.com.

Photos by Carol Rosegg

The company of Avenue Q (l-r): Cole Porter, Carla Renata, Nicky, Princeton, Robert McClure, Rod, Kate Monster, Kelli Sawyer and Angela Ai

Kelli Sawyer with Kate Monster

Robert McClure with Princeton and Kelli Sawyer with Kate Monster

Minglie Chen with Nicky and Robert McClure with Rod

Minglie Chen and Christian Anderson with Trekkie Monster

Kelli Sawyer with Kate Monster, Angela Ai, and Minglie Chen with Rod

Minglie Chen and Christian Anderson with Nicky and Robert McClure with Rod

Carla Renata and Minglie Chen and Christian Anderson with Nicky

The puppets of Avenue Q taking a break from rehearsal.
Photo by Cece Hugo