"Avenue Q" Comes to Arlington Oct. 17-Nov. 2

Weston resident Lali Haines stars in AFD Theatre’s production of “Avenue Q” at the theatre’s location on 22 Academy Street in Arlington, MA. Show dates are Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov 1 at 8 PM and Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2 at 4 PM. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.afdtheatre.org or at the box office at 781-646-5922. Puppets constructed by Character Translations, Inc. for Music Theatre International.

Lali Haines will play the part of Gary Coleman in the AFD Theatre production of “Avenue Q.”

“Avenue Q” is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the story of a recent college graduate Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Together, Princeton and his neighbors struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. Although the show addresses adult issues, it’s about a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned.

Anyone who grew up watching children’s shows on public television will quickly be able to identify the inspiration for “Avenue Q”. Most of the characters in the show are puppets and the set depicts several tenements on a rundown street in New York City. However, these characters are in their twenties and thirties and face adult problems. Despite the fuzzy faces, “Avenue Q” is not suitable for children.

The Broadway production of “Avenue Q” ranks in the top 25 longest running shows in Broadway history. Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, “Avenue Q” is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart.

AFD Theatre’s production of “Avenue Q” is being directed by Kevin Mark Kline. Kline brings an extensive directing background to “Avenue Q.” His theatre credits include musical productions at Riverside Theatre Works, the Longwood Players, the Boston Conservatory, and Arlington Friends of the Drama. Kline has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater with an emphasis in directing from the Boston Conservatory.

Jason Whiting is the musical director for AFD Theatre’s “Avenue Q”. Whiting has served as musical director for numerous shows in and around Boston, including productions at the F.U.D.G.E Theatre Company, Emmanuel College, the Wellesley Players, and Arlington Friends of the Drama. He was the musical director for Suffolk University’s production of “Avenue Q” in 2013. Whiting graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in child and family studies and a minor in music.

“Avenue Q” marks director Kevin Mark Kline’s first return to AFD Theatre since 2012, when he directed Death of a Salesman, and is the second AFD musical he has directed since “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” which won Best Musical Ensemble in the Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theatres’ Distinguished Awards and Special Honors (DASH) for 2006–2007.

“I am thrilled to be back with my second musical at AFD,” Kline said, adding that he is “beyond elated” to work with the Avenue Q cast. “Each cast member brings so much to the table—great singing, wonderful comedic timing, a ton of personality, and incredible amounts of professionalism,” he noted.

Music director Jason Whiting also had high praise for the cast. “It is wonderful to be able to work with a cast that not only walks in the first day ready to go, but continues to work so tirelessly to make sure they know every line and every word of every song, and then apply it over and over to bring forth the best and most effective production possible,” he commented.

AFD Theatre’s “Avenue Q” cast includes Paul Alperin of Arlington, Ruth Fontanella of Allston, Scott Giangrande of Dracut, Lali Haines of Weston, Andrea Lyons of Malden, Justin McCoubry of Brookline, and Viv Liu-Somers of Newton. Most of the cast are “puppet actors,” each characterizing the part of a puppet resident of Avenue Q. AFD Theatre is using the same puppets as in the New York production, constructed by Character Translations, Inc. for Music Theatre International.

Show dates for AFD Theatre’s production of “Avenue Q” are Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov 1 at 8 PM and Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2 at 4 PM. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.afdtheatre.org or at the box office at 781-646-5922. A talk-back with cast and crew will follow the Sunday 4 PM matinee on October 19.

Parental Advisory: “Avenue Q” has a parental advisory notice for explicit content, strong language, adult and sexual situations, and full puppet nudity. “Avenue Q” is not suitable for children.

AFD Theatre’s 2014–2015 season continues with the drama “Good People” with performances January 9–18, the spectacular musical “Nine” April 10–26, and the comedy “Quartet” June 12–21. For more information about AFD Theatre and these shows, visit www.afdtheatre.org.