Dunes Arts Summer Theatre concludes its landmark 75th season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy "Avenue Q." The production begins with a preview performance Thursday, July 23, opens Friday, July 24, and continues through Aug. 9.
Winner of the 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, "Avenue Q" premiered on Broadway in 2003. Featuring a cast of puppets and people, the musical uses humor and an original score to explore adulthood, relationships, careers and the search for purpose.
Directed by Danny Kapinos with music direction by Aaron Kaplan, "Avenue Q" features scenic design by Michael Lasswell, costume design by Emily Chidalek, lighting design by Arturo Pozos, sound design by Jake Tillmann and puppet design by Tory Nunn.
Set in a rundown New York City apartment building on Avenue Q, the musical follows recent college graduate Princeton as he searches for his purpose in life. Along the way, he befriends an eclectic group of neighbors — including aspiring comedian Brian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve, kindergarten teaching assistant Kate Monster, investment banker Rod, slacker Nicky and former child television star Trekkie Monster — whose lives intersect through relationships, careers, ambitions and everyday challenges. Through a mix of puppets, live actors and an original score, "Avenue Q" examines the uncertainties of adulthood with humor while addressing topics ranging from friendship and romance to work, identity and community.
"People often come for the puppets and the comedy, but they stay because they recognize themselves in these characters," said director Kapinos. "The show reminds us that no one has everything figured out, and that's what continues to resonate."
"Avenue Q" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
A preview performance of "Avenue Q" takes place Thursday, July 23, followed by opening night Friday, July 24. The production continues through Aug. 9 at Dunes Summer Theatre, located at 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michiana Shores, Indiana. Regular performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) and Sundays at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET). Tickets ($15–$35) and full season information are available at www.dunesARTS.org.
ABOUT THE ACTORS
Aubrey Malito (Christmas Eve, "Avenue Q") is thrilled to spend the summer at Dunes Arts Summer Theatre. Favorite stage credits include "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (Rona), "Titanic" (Mrs. Thayer), "Octet" (Karly) and "Will Sing" (Lauren) with the Obie and Drama Desk Award-winning Ma-Yi Theater Company. In addition to performing, Malito is a vocal music teacher in the Chicago suburbs and previously served as assistant house manager for five Broadway productions, including "American Idiot," "A Little Night Music" and "Hair." She holds degrees from Saint Xavier University, Illinois State University and Eastern Illinois University.
Josh Bernaski (Nicky/Trekkie Monster, "Avenue Q") makes his Dunes Arts Summer Theatre debut. He previously puppeteered and voiced Tigger in Disney's "Winnie the Pooh" with the Off-Broadway, Chicago, Los Angeles and National Tour companies. Chicago credits include productions with Paramount Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Shakespeare Project, Drury Lane and Kerfuffle. Bernaski also has performed with regional theaters nationwide and toured internationally for five years with Artspot Educational Theatre. He is a graduate of Temple University and is represented by BMG Talent.
Micah Hughes (Gary Coleman, "Avenue Q") is making her professional theatre debut with Dunes Arts Summer Theatre. She will begin her senior year as a B.F.A. musical theatre major at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro this fall. Previous roles include the Caterpillar in "Alice by Heart" and Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz." Hughes is grateful for the opportunity to launch her professional career with Dunes Arts Summer Theatre.
Quinn Kelch (Princeton/Rod, "Avenue Q") is thrilled to return to "Avenue Q." Recent credits include the Jeff Award-winning "Jekyll and Hyde" (coming to Broadway In Chicago this fall), "American Psycho" (Kokandy Productions), "Rock of Ages" and "Around the World With Hans Christian Andersen" (MPAC), "Avenue Q" (William Street Rep.), "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" (Lookingglass Theatre Company) and "Spring Awakening" (Porchlight Music Theatre). A dual-degree graduate of Northwestern University, Kelch is represented by Big Mouth Talent.
Maya Moreau (Lucy, Bad Idea Bear and Mrs. T, "Avenue Q") is making her Dunes Arts Summer Theatre debut. A Chicago-based performer, she recently appeared as Kassandra in "Kassandra at the Top of the World," produced by the Chicago Park District. Moreau earned her B.F.A. in musical theatre from Northern Michigan University and received multiple honors while participating in the American College Theater Festival through the Kennedy Center.
Clay W. Muir (Brian, "Avenue Q") is a New York City-based actor making his Dunes Arts Summer Theatre debut. His recent credits include "White Christmas," "James and the Giant Peach" and "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. He has also spent several seasons performing with RWS Global at amusement parks across the country. Muir is grateful for the opportunity to join the Dunes Arts Summer Theatre company this season.
Mika Wurf (Kate Monster, "Avenue Q") makes her Dunes Arts Summer Theatre debut. She is entering her senior year in the B.F.A. musical theatre program at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Recent credits include "Little Becky Two Shoes" in "Urinetown," Evan in "The Aliens" and Teen Millie in "The Victory Garden Plays." Wurf is represented by Stewart Talent.
ABOUT DUNES ARTS SUMMER THEATRE
The Dunes Arts Foundation, which operates Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and Education Programs, was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1951 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nestled within the woodsy dunes of Michiana Shores, Dunes Summer Theatre is located at about a half mile from the Indiana Dunes and the Lake Michigan shore at 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, Ind. As northwest Indiana’s longest-running summer theater program, Dunes Summer Theatre has provided professional theater productions for more than seven decades. This one-of-a-kind experience is a highlight of Harbor Country’s cultural fabric, promoting community spirit and embracing inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in all areas of operations. For more information or to purchase individual tickets ($35), senior/student tickets ($30), group sales ($25 for four or more) and season subscriptions ($150) please visit dunesARTS.org or call (219) 879-7509. Follow along on social media @dunesartsfoundation.