I wish I could go back to...Avenue Q?! Jennifer Barnhart, who made her Broadway debut in the original cast of the Tony-winning musical, will return to the long-running tuner at off-Broadway's New World Stages beginning November 11. Barnhart replaces cast member Lexy Fridell and will be taking over the roles of a Bad Idea Bear, kindergarten school principal Mrs. T and her "second-hand" work with puppets Nicky and Trekkie Monster.
Barnhart performed in Avenue Q during its world premiere at the Vineyard Theatre, during its Broadway run and again at New World Stages. Her other stage credits include Children of Eden, Superior Donuts, The Merry Wives of Windsor and God of Carnage. Barnhart's TV credits include Sesame Street, Between the Lions, The Book of Pooh and Johnny and the Sprites.
Featuring a score by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and a book by Jeff Whitty, Avenue Q follows a group of puppet and human friends trying to find their place in life in the big city. The show first opened on Broadway in July 2003 and earned three Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production transferred to its current home at New World Stages in October 2009. The musical also currently stars Darren Bluestone, Nicholas Kohn, Veronica J. Kuehn, Sala Iwamatsu, Jason Jacoby and Danielle K. Thomas.