Click Below for the Following:

HOWIE MICHAEL SMITH (Princeton / Rod) is thrilled to be on Avenue Q again! Howie played Princeton/Rod over 1000 times in the Broadway production. Regional: A Christmas Carol (Ford’s Theatre), 1776, Carousel (Marriott Theatre), As You Like It (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), The Tempest (Dallas Shakespeare), Tribute to Sondheim with George Hearn (Pittsburgh Pops), Bill Nelson‘s All Male Revue(Barrington), Beethoven Lives Upstairs (Tour), Singin’ in the Rain, Brigadoon, Oliver, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. TV: "Puppet Planet" for the Travel Channel.  Howie holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. ILYJSR

ASHLEY EILEEN BUCKNAM (Kate Monster / Lucy the Slut) is thrilled to be working on Avenue Q again! National/International Tour: Avenue Q. Favorite Regional: Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. BFA Shenandoah Conservatory. Endless love and thanks to my family and friends!!

CHRIS COOKE (Nicky / Trekkie Monster / Bear / Others) is excited to return to Avenue Q.  Chris recently worked with Stephen Colbert in the musical Company at Lincoln Center.  Credits include: Spamalot (Sir Bedevere), Company (Harry B-Cast),  (Nicky/Trekkie), Happy Days (Ralph Malph), Henry & Mudge (Dad), Little Shop of Horrors;(Dentist), Joseph... Dreamcoat (Simeon). He is also a Pace University graduate with a BFA in Musical Theater.  Thanks to Keith and much love to my wife Kelsey.

JAYSON ELLIOTT (Brian) is happy to be making his Ogunquit debut!  Favorite credits include: Dave in The Full Monty, William Barfee in ...Spelling Bee, Jud Fry in Oklahoma, The Big Bopper in The Buddy Holly Story, Jim in Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Stanley Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain.  Many thanks to everyone at OGP, Stage 9, family and friends, and YOU for supporting live theatre!

LEXY FRIDELL (Mrs. T / Bear) is thrilled to be playing with puppets again!  Broadway: Chairry (and more) in The Pee-wee Herman Show. 1st National Tour: Avenue Q. Off-Broadway: Gone Missing(Barrow Street Theatre/The Civilians)  London: (I am) Nobody’s Lunch. TV: The Pee-wee Herman Show (HBO) and an SNL digital short. Lexy created the role of “Dory” in Finding Nemo, The Musical for Disney.  Training: BFA, Acting/Musical Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University, Adeline Roth Memorial Award for Acting.

REBECCA LARKIN (Christmas Eve) is thrilled to be back on Avenue Q with so many old friends! Broadway: South Pacific.  First National Tours: Avenue Q, Barbie LIVE!  .  Regional: ...Spelling Bee (St. Michael's, Actors' Playhouse), Rent (WBT), Jewtopia (Florida Company), Miss Saigon (Gateway, WBT), The Wedding Singer (Gateway). Cast Recordings: Twice Charmed (Disney), Barbie LIVE! (Mattel). She is immensely grateful for her loving family, adorable hubby, fabulous friends, and everyone who supports live theater!

ZACH TRIMMER (Ensemble / Dance Captain  / Puppet Captain) - Zach is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut in Avenue Q! National tours: Hairspray, Avenue Q. Regional: Gateway Playhouse, John W. Engeman Theatre, VMT, and soon to be Theatre by the Sea as Link in Hairspray. Favorite roles include: Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, among others. Thanks go out to Mom, Dad, Steph, Nat, Nana, Molly, and LOUstubbs. Enjoy the show!

PAUL BREWSTER (Ensemble / Performing Assistant Stage Manager)  is thrilled to return for this season at the beach!  Previously at Ogunquit Playhouse: Chicago, The Sound of Music, All Shook Up.  Off-Broadway: La Barbería, The Orphans' Home Cycle, The Punishing Blow, Forgotten World, The Living Newspaper.  After directing last season's Jr. Player's production of Jack and the Beanstalk, Paul will serve as this season's Education Director (first up is Snow White on July 2nd & 3rd).  Proud member of Actor's Equity.

KEITH ANDREWS (Director / Choregrapher) is very excited to take another stroll down Avenue Q and to be back at Ogunquit after previously directing and choreographing the Playhouse’s production of The Full Monty (starring Sally Struthers).  Keith directed Avenue Q last summer at Gateway Playhouse as well as having directed  the National Tours of The Full Monty and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh. Other recent directing/choreography credits include: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (starring Joe Piscopo), The Wedding Singer, My Way (the Sinatra Tribute), Cold as Ice, Urinetown,  Happy Days, the Musical,The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Always... Patsy Cline, Dames at Sea, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Barnum, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Little Shop of Horrors, The Pirates of Penzance, Big River, Forever Plaid and Suds, to name just a few. As a choreographer, Keith has recently worked on the world premiere of Love, Incorporated and has received an New York Innovative Theater Award for Best Production of a Musical and nomination for Best Choreography for his work on the new show- Like You Like It.  On ice, Keith has directed and choreographed Home for the Holidays - a Celebration on Ice, starring 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist- Evan Lysacek, and Silver Medalists - Charlie White and Meryl Davis, as well as two productions of Stars, Stripes and Skates, the yearly benefit to help survivors and families of the  9/11 tragedy. As a performer, Keith has toured all over the world with shows such as: West Side Story, Mame, Jesus Christ Superstar and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. In educational theater, Keith directs and choreographs student industry showcases at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.  Keith thanks Brad Kenney for welcoming him back to this wonderful theatre and community and Rick Lyon for imparting his invaluable puppet wisdom.

KEN CLIFTON (Musical Director) returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse after the paramount successes of Sunset Blvd. and Chicago. Previous Ogunquit credits include All Shook Up, Guys & Dolls, Les Misérables, The Producers, Fiddler on the Roof, The Full Monty, The King and I, La Cage aux Folles. Hello, Dolly!, and Menopause, the Musical. He recently transplanted to Florida where he is now the resident music director for the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Ken is a musical director, vocal coach, and composer/lyricist. He’s conducted musicals up and down the East Coast. Disney uses his writing in Orlando and Tokyo. His project appearing on the Disney Cruise Line was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. He has written two full length musicals, Midnight Clear and A Christmas Carol, both produced in Florida. Ken wrote the music and lyrics to the opening production number of 2007’s Rose Bowl Parade. He has played on “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee” and CNN’s “Larry King Live.” Ken had the great pleasure of coaching Oscar® Award winning actress, Jennifer Hudson on her final call-back for “Dreamgirls.” He has also coached at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Music. And last but certainly not least Ken has even played for the Bush's at their home in Kennebunkport, ME.

JINAY L. REITZE (Production Stage Manager) Previous Ogunquit Playhouse: SPAMALOT, The Sound of Music Off-Broadway: Debbie Does Dallas (Jane Street Theatre), The Prince and the Pauper (Lamb’s Theatre).  New York: World Premiere of Oedipus for Kids (NYMF). National Tours: Dora the Explorer Live!, Backyardigans Live!, Peter Pan, Urban Cowboy, Savion Glover’s Improvography II, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, St. Petersburg Ice Ballet - The Nutcracker and Cinderella.  International: Grease (Turkey), Fame (China).  Regional: 2 seasons with Goodspeed Musicals.  Jinay is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

CARRIE MILLER (Assistant Stage Manager / Puppet Wrangler) National Tours: Avenue Q, A Year With Frog and Toad.  New York: Desperate Writers (Union Square Theatre), Gob Squad’s Kitchen (La MaMa),Idiot Savant (The Public Theater), The Glass Menagerie (Guild Hall), KOOL: Dancing In My Mind (Watermill Center), Blue Sky Somewhere (Manhattan Repertory Theatre), It Might Get Loud Showcase(Hamptons International Film Festival). Other credits include Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Spoleto Festival USA. Graduate of Allegheny College.

RICHARD LATTA (Lighting Designer) is glad to be back at the Playhouse. He has designed lighting for theatre, corporate events, opera and dance since 1980. Recent credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, The Devils’ Music, Meshugganuns. Projection Design Team: The People in the Picture, Thurgood (Broadway)  Moby Dick (Dallas, San Diego, Sydney, SFO) Visual Research for the film “The Magic of Heineken”; Artistic and Technical Consultant for American Ballet Theatres’ schools program, most recently at  Lower Manhattan Arts Academy and Newark’s Arts High School. And an Ogunquit Playhouse employee since 1985- Thanks to all for their encouragement and support!

JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Designer) is really excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse. His Ogunquit Playhouse design credits include The Sound of Music and Sunset Boulevard. He has designed popular shows like Jekyll and Hyde, and Nunsense, and has engineered many others, Nunsense! 25th Anniversary Tour, National Tour of Peter Pan, and 75th Anniversary of Porgy and Bess. He also has worked on Anything Goes at Musical Theatre West and Arizona Broadway Theatre, Brigadoon, Man of La Mancha, as well as all of the 2009 season for the Ogunquit Playhouse. He would like to thank his friends and family and the Ogunquit Playhouse staff including Becky Shelton for all of their support.

GEOF DOLAN (Technical Director) returns for his fifth season supervising the wonderful sets that grace the Ogunquit Playhouse stage. In addition to his management skills, Geof brings a hands-on knowledge of the workings of stage scenery and mechanics, carpentry, and welding, and is now taking on some design and re-design credits, most particularly with last season’s Chicago. Geof also serves as the Technical Supervisor for our Children’s Theatre shows. For the past four winters he has been the Assistant Technical Director at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre in Florida.  Having grown up in a theatrical family (his mother a Theater educator, his father a professional actor/director) he continues the tradition here: His wife, Cheryl, is the Charge Scenic Artist and his daughter Ashlynn is an active participant in the Children’s Theatre.

JOE SPRATT (Production Manager) comes to us fresh off the National Tour of The Color Purple. Originally from Rock Island Illinois, Joe has worked on such National Tours as Hairspray, The Drowsy Chaperone, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, and  Chorus Line, just to name a few. Thanks to Brad, Jayme, the entire Ogunquit staff along with his family and friends for their never ending support. Proud member I.A.T.S.E.

ROBERT LOPEZ (Music and Lyrics, Original Concept, Animation Design) 2004 Tony Award for Best Score for Avenue Q, which has been produced in New York, Vegas, London, Stockholm and Helsinki and on tour! His musical version of Finding Nemo, co-written with wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, is currently playing in Walt Disney World. In 2007, he co-wrote songs for a musical episode of NBC's "Scrubs." He and his brother Billy Lopez have written music for Nick Jr's "The Wonder Pets!" and Disney's "Johnny and the Sprites." Yale graduate, 1997 (B.A. in English!).

JEFF MARX (Music and Lyrics, Original Concept) wants to thank the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, which completely changed his life. He joined the free class as a young lawyer, looking for clients, and ended up leaving law and becoming a songwriter. He met Bobby there, and they brought almost every song they ever wrote together into the workshop for feedback and critique. He's forever in debt to the BMI teachers and classmates and everyone involved with Avenue Q who has helped turn this fun, dirty little musical romp into such an amazing group achievement. Thank you!

JEFF WHITTY (Book) won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Avenue Q. Plays include The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler, The Hiding Place, The Plank Project, Suicide Weather andBalls. Theatres presenting his work include the Atlantic Theater Company, South Coast Repertory, the New Group, and the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Upcoming: Tales of the City: The Musical with muci by Jason Sellards of the pop group Scissor Sisters, and a musical version of Bring It On. As an actor, Jeff has appeared  Off-Broadway, regionally, and in film and TV. 

RICK LYON (Puppet Design) is Avenue Q's real triple threat: he designed all of the puppets, he and his company The Lyon Puppets built all of the puppets, and Rick created the roles of Nicky/Trekkie/Blue Bear in the original Tony-winning Broadway production! A puppeteer and designer with more than 25 years of professional experience in television, film, and theatre, Rick is proud to have supplied the puppets for the productions of Avenue Q on Broadway, in London, Las Vegas, and the First American National Tour, as well as Australia, Brazil, Mexico , and Switzerland—nearly 300 puppets so far! Rick gratefully acknowledges the inspiration and encouragement of the late Jim Henson. Husband to Tonya Dixon and first-time father to beautiful daughter Kennedy!

ANNA LOUIZOS (Scenic Design) In addition to designing the Tony Award winning Avenue Q for Broadway, Las Vegas and London, Anna has received two Tony Award nominations for In the Heights and High Fidelity. Other Broadway credits include Baby, It's You; Curtains; Irving Berlin's White Christmas (including the national tour and U.K. productions); All About Me; To Be Or Not To Be; Steel Magnolias; Golda's Balcony (also national tour with Valerie Harper). Off Broadway: Vanities, the Musical; In Transit; Crimes of the Heart (directed by Kathleen Turner); The Foreigner (starring Matthew Broderick); Based on a Totally True Story; Birdie Blue; The Altar Boyz (World Premiere) Jonathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM! (World Premiere). Other U.S. tours and regional: Baby It's You; Radio Girls; Band Geeks; Disney Live Winnie the Pooh; Minsky's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; The Baker's Wife; Much Ado About Nothing; Me and My Girl and many other regional productions. Art Direction film/TV: "Sex and the City" (HBO). Feature Film: The Secret Lives of Dentists.

MIRENA RADA (Original Costume Design) Theatrical  credits: Broadway, Vegas, London, and 1st national tour of Avenue Q; Broadway Asia's SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical; Big Apple Circus' Picturesque, Dreams of a City, Carnevale, Big-Top-Doo-Wop; Collected Stories w/Uta Hagen; Pera Palas (Connecticut Critics Award); Ballet Tech's Lincoln Portrait; Roundabout's Moonlight w/Jason Robards and Live Schreiber. Theme Resort credits: Tokyo Disneyland's upcoming spectacular Fantasmic, Hong Kong Disneyland's Flights of Fantasy parade plus many other Disney resort projects. Film credits: Coming and Going, directed by Edoardo Ponti; Enchanted, assistant costume design. 2004 Irene Sharaff Young Master in Costume Design Award.

Our 2011 Corporate Sponsors

Our 2011 Avenue Q Sponsors