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A unique Fall 2017 course, taught by WIU Costume Shop Manager Rebel Mickelson, created all of the rehearsal and final production puppets for the upcoming staging of "Avenue Q," by the WIU Department of Theatre and Dance.
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Broadway puppeteer Rick Lyon was on campus in February to work with the cast of "Avenue Q."
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'Avenue Q' Holds WIU Theatrical Run April 4-7

March 23, 2018

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MACOMB, IL – Student actors from Western Illinois University's Department of Theatre and Dance will present the uniquely funny "Avenue Q" puppet production Wednesday-Sunday, April 4-8 in Hainline Theatre. The April 4-7 productions begin at 7:30 p.m. and the April 8 matinee begins at 2 p.m.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway show features a variety of puppets and has been called an adult version of "Sesame Street." The musical production tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment on Avenue Q. Together Princeton and his new friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their purpose in life.

The more than 20 puppets needed for the show were created during the Fall 2017 semester by Western students in a class taught by WIU Costume Shop Manager Rebel Mickelson.

"Avenue Q" has a cast of three live actors and numerous character puppets. Earlier in the semester Broadway puppeteer Rick Lyon visited the WIU campus to workshop with the production's cast. Lyon was one of the creators of the puppets for the original Broadway show and he had previously worked with Jim Henson.

The WIU production is directed by Theatre and Dance Professor DC Wright.

The cast list for Avenue Q" includes:

• Kate Monster: Annie Etchison, a senior musical theatre major from Dixon, IL

• Christmas Eve: Rose Blume, a junior musical theatre major from Peoria, IL

• Gary Coleman: Justis Drakes, a senior musical theatre major from Chicago, IL

• Rod: Matthew Henry, a junior musical theatre major from McLean, IL

• Lucy: Whitney Willard, a junior theatre major from Macomb

• Mrs. T: Vicky Vidziunas, a junior musical theatre major from Romeoville, IL

• Princeton: Matt Bender, an MFA graduate student from Macomb

• Brian: Logan Edris, a junior musical theatre major from Milford, IL

• Trekkie Monster: Chris Holling, a junior recreation, park and tourism administration major and theatre minor from East Dundee, IL

• Nicky: Warren Freeland, a junior musical theatre major from Mount Carmel, IL

• Bad Idea Bears: Jessica Patrick, a freshman musical theatre major from Evergreen Park, IL, and Anthony Hendricks, a senior theatre major from Peoria, IL

• Newcomer: Brendan Donnelly, a sophomore theatre major from Ankeny, IA

Tickets for the show are $15 for the public; $13 for senior citizens, WIU employees and youth. WIU students will be admitted free with valid student identification.

To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/2HXQUii.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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