Avenue Q announces 2010 extension

Irreverent puppet musical Avenue Q has extended its run at the Gielgud theatre until January 2010.

The lengthening of its booking period marks a remarkable turn around for the show which closed at the Noël Coward theatre in March, but received such support from audiences that it reopened at the Gielgud theatre in June. The transfer was originally booked as a limited run until the end of September, but the funny, furry musical has proved so popular that it will now run into the new year.

Originally opening in London in June 2006, following a Tony Award-winning run in New York, Avenue Q is the tale of college graduate Princeton who, armed with only a BA in English, tries to find his place in the world. That place seems to be on low rent street Avenue Q, where he meets a host of other interesting characters including the porn-obsessed Trekkie Monster, sweet and caring Kate Monster and wanton Lucy The Slut.

Starring both humans and puppets, the show’s parody of the Sesame Street style and songs including Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist, The Internet Is For Porn and It Sucks To Be Me saw it nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2007.

Avenue Q’s cast currently includes original cast member Julie Atherton and former Any Dream Will Do contestant Daniel Boys, though full casting for the show’s extension dates are yet to be confirmed.

MA