Shepherd University Music presents Avenue Q, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history, on Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 9 at 3 p.m. and Friday, February 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater. According toVariety”Of all the musicals hatched in the post-2000 age of irony, Avenue Q has remained ?the FRESHEST and FUNNIEST!”

Winner of the Tony Awards “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. Conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. Avenue Q is an “autobiographical and biographical” coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. A laugh-out-loud musical, it tells the timeless story of a recent college grad who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he meets colorful types who help him finally discover his purpose in life. Although the musical is notable for the use of puppets, animated by unconcealed puppeteers, alongside human actors, the show is for mature audiences, ages 18 and older.

Shepherd University Director of Vocal Activities and Department Chair, Dr. Rob Tudor, will direct this production of Avenue Q, with music direction by music adjunct faculty member Barbara Irvine. Dr. Tudor brings to Shepherd over fifteen years’ experience directing opera and musical theater like Chess, The Apple Tree, Ragtime and The Gondoliers. The talented cast of Shepherd students includes Eduardo Rivera, Arielle Pizaa, Yanira Diaz, Shannen Banzhoff, Jordan Bushong-Taylor, Alora Ray, Ross Tamaccio, Matthew Rothenberg, Patrick O’Grady, Mark Adelsberger, Emily Reinhardt and Nick Etheridge.

Admission and seating for Avenue Q is on a first come-first serve basis and advance sales or reservations are not available. The box office will open one hour prior to each performance. General admission is $10, $5 for faculty, staff, Shepherd alumni, senior citizen, and free for Shepherd students with Rambler ID and Friends of Music Gold and Silver MAC Cardholders. For more information call 304-876-5555 or visit www.shepherd.edu/musicweb.