Village Players Stage Adult-Themed 'Avenue Q’ at James McCabe Theater

The Valrico Village Players at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, with a cast of 10, returns to the stage June 8 and 9, with two stagings of the Tony award-winning "Avenue Q: The Musical!"

Actress Kat N. Coates has a reminder for the audience: "If the puppets don't hear laughter, they get scared," she wrote on the show's Facebook page. "And she hopes that all of you who come out tonight have an amazing time."

Susan Lucas Kazenas, an audience member, posted a stunning review: "I saw the show last night and couldn't stop laughing. The set is great, the cast is perfect for their parts and each did a fantastic job."

The show, though, is not for everyone. With its "explicit content" it is "not recommended for young children."

The adult-themed musical opened May 25 and has additional show dates June 8 and 9 at 8:15 p.m. The James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth St. in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico, north of State Road 60.

Doors open one hour prior to show time. Tickets cost $12.

"Avenue Q The Musical" is winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. As noted on its Web site, the show is "part flesh, part felt and packed with heart."

The show "is a laugh- out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q," according to the show's synopsis. "There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the Internet sexpert), Lucy the Slut (need we say more) and other colorful types who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life."

The local community theater show is directed by Brian Carpenter and assistant directed by Miguel Marin. It features as well the talents of Puppet Master Deborah Carpenter, Stage Manager Kyle Yerdon and Sound Designer Adam Seth Jasper. Both Jasper and Yerdon attended to the light design.

'AVENUE Q' CAST:

• Lucas Coura, as Princeton
• Kat N. Coates, as Kate Monster
• Tyler Harrison Wood, as Nicky and Ricky
• Keturah Hawk, as Gary Coleman
• Julian Anthony Kazenas, as Rod and a Bad Idea Bear
• Matt Elliott, as Brian
• Sam Schneider-Behen, as Christmas Eve
• Joshua Willis, as Trekkie Monster
• Elizabeth Feist, as a Bad Idea Bear
• Jamie Millan, as Lucy the Slut and Mrs. Thistletwat