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Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth proudly present “Avenue Q” at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2009-2010 NIACC Performing Arts and Leadership Series. Tickets are $39 in advance and $45 at the door. This show is not advised for children.

“Avenue Q” is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q, and outer borough of the City; still, the neighbors seem nice. He meets Brian, the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée, Christmas Eve; Nicky, the good-hearted slacker, and his roommate Rod, a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And, believe it or not, the building's superintendent is Gary Coleman! Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

This production has reinvigorated Broadway by using children’s puppets to sing hilarious, honest and irreverent songs about some of the most dubious topics faced in American society. Songs like “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” and “I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today” will have you rolling in the aisles.

“Avenue Q” opened off-broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in March 2003, where it gained rave reviews and was extended four times! “Avenue Q” was the standout musical at the 2004 Tony Awards, taking home six awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor and Best Actress in a Musical. It won the 2003 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Musical, as well as a nomination for the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical award. It began previews at the Golden Theatre on July 11th, 2003, with a July 31, 2003 opening. For more information, visit www.avenueq.com.

For tickets to see “Avenue Q,” call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222, ext. 4188. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu. Platinum Sponsors for the 2009-2010 series include NIACC; Globe Gazette Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund; the Globe Gazette; Alliant Energy; Henkel Construction; Kraft; Mason City Clinic; Principal Financial Group; and Soener Foundation. Gold sponsors include Community National Bank; Diamond Joe Casino; First Citizens National Bank; First State Bank of Belmond; Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa; Martin, Cooney, MacNider & Cooney Financial Consultants of Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; Sukup Manufacturing; and Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth. In kind sponsors include Country Inn and Suites and KIMT.

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