Avenue Q has announced it will transfer to the Wyndham’s theatre when it finishes its run at the Gielgud theatre in March. The move also marks major cast changes with Paul Spicer, Jacqueline Tate and Delroy Atkinson arriving on the scruffy but lovable street.
Spicer will take over the role of Princeton/Rod from long term cast member Daniel Boys. An established musical theatre actor, Spicer is co-founder of the Notes From New York series, which has played London venues including the Donmar Warehouse, the Apollo theatre, Duchess theatre and the Arts theatre. He has also been seen in The Witches Of Eastwick, Fame and Taboo.
Tate, who is currently appearing in The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty’s theatre, will take on the role of Princeton’s neighbour Christmas Eve. Their fellow neighbour and former child star Gary Coleman will be played by Atkinson who returns to the part after his departure from the show in June 2008. Currently starring in the controversial Jihad The Musical at the Jermyn Street theatre, Atkinson’s theatre credits also include The Enchanted Pig at the Young Vic, Rent at the Prince of Wales theatre and Come Dancing, The Harder They Come and Pinocchio at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Atkinson also won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role with the chorus of Jerry Springer The Opera.
Spicer, Tate and Atkinson will join existing cast members Cassidy Janson, Christopher Fry, Rachel Jerram, Tom Parsons.
Avenue Q combines a cast of puppets and humans to tell the story of young graduate Princeton and his journey to find his purpose in life. With songs about internet porn, racism and the perils of dating, Avenue Q has been making London audiences laugh with its risqué humour since the musical opened in 2006 at the Noël Coward theatre before changing homes to the Gielgud theatre in 2009.
The show runs until 13 March at the Gielgud theatre when it leaves to make room for new rock musical Hair which opens on 14 April (previews from1 April). Avenue Q will not be off the London stage for long however, opening at the Wyndham’s theatre just a few days later on 19 March where it is currently booking until September 2010.
CM