The cast is set for the return of Avenue Q to the West End, with the original Broadway puppets appearing at the Shaftesbury Theatre for a strictly limited season this March.
The production will star Emily Benjamin as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, Noah Harrison as Princeton and Rod, Meg Hateley as Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear, Oliver Jacobson as Brian, Charlie McCullagh as Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear, Amelia Kinu Muus as Christmas Eve and Dionne Ward-Anderson as Gary Coleman.
The company is completed by Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi and Joshua Williams-Ward.
Fresh out of college and searching for his purpose, Princeton ends up in a shabby apartment on New York’s rundown Avenue Q. He quickly meets his new and colourful neighbours where together they navigate the life struggles of work, love and paying the bills in their own hilarious way.
Irreverent and irresistible, Avenue Q is the mischievous and charming musical full of infectious songs and loveable characters that will leave you smiling for days.
The anniversary production is directed by the original Broadway director Jason Moore, with music & lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty, music orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus, original Broadway puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon and set design by Anna Louizos.
They are joined by new UK-based creative team members, with choreography by Ebony Molina, costume design by Jean Chan, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, sound design by Paul Groothuis, video design by Nina Dunn for Pixellux, puppetry coaching by Iestyn Evans and Andy Heath for Talk to the Hand Puppets and casting by Pearson Casting. Original West End company member Julie Atherton will be associate director on the production, with musical direction by Benjamin Holder.
Avenue Q first opened in the West End in 2006 at the Noël Coward Theatre, before transferring to the Gielgud Theatre, followed by the Wyndham’s Theatre, where it played its final performance on October 30, 2010. A special concert production was performed at the Sondheim Theatre in 2024 to celebrate the show’s 18th anniversary. It is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson Productions.
Avenue Q plays the Shaftesbury Theatre from Friday, March 20 to Saturday, August 29, 2026. Tickets here.
Top image: Avenue Q full company. Photo Danny Kaan (image supplied)