Tony-Winning Musical Avenue Q to Close in September

After six years on the Great White Way, the Tony-winning musical Avenue Q is closing on September 13. At the time of its closing, the show will be the 20th longest-running musical in Broadway history with 22 previews and 2,534 performances at the Golden Theatre.

A musical about 20-somethings, fresh out of college, who move to the city with big dreams and tiny bank accounts, Avenue Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty and is directed by Jason Moore. It marks its sixth anniversary on Broadway on July 31, 2009.

"We will miss our furry friends on 45th Street but are very proud of their longevity," producer Robyn Goodman said in a statement. Goodman produced the musical with Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

In addition to its run on Broadway, Avenue Q played Las Vegas in 2005 and opened in the West End in 2006. The London production, which concluded its run at the Noël Coward Theatre in March 2009, reopened at the Gielgud Theatre in June 2009. A U.S. national tour ended its two-year run in May 2009.

As previously announced, beginning on July 6 Avenue Q will welcome back original cast member Ann Harada in the role of Christmas Eve. Also joining the Broadway cast on July 6 are Robert McClure in the roles of Princeton/Rod, Anika Larsen in the roles of Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut, and Danielle K. Thomas in the role of Gary Coleman. They join current cast members Christian Anderson, Nicholas Kohn and Jennifer Barnhart to comprise the final Broadway cast.