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ROBERT LOPEZ: It's been a great process of opening this show in different places, to be able to go back and fix things you always wanted to and hopefully not over-correct or 'improve' it to death. I think we've got the ultimate version now. Actually, [the touring production] is the first time we haven't done much tinkering. It's been more of an editing process just to make sure all of the correct changes are in this version. Even now [at the rehearsal], I was listening to the piano player and I heard something from an earlier version that shouldn't be in there.

Many of the cast members have previously appeared in the show in various productions. In fact, Christian Anderson, who will play Nikky and Trekkie Monster, rehearsed for the tour during the day while simultaneously playing the same roles at night on Broadway. We asked him if knowing the roles so well already makes the rehearsal process easier for him.

With a cast of mostly Avenue Q 'veterans,' how does the rehearsal process for the tour differ from when the show was being created from scratch? Here's what Associate Director Evan Ensign had to say.

EVAN ENSIGN: Surprisingly, the process is not that different. Because the show started Off Broadway, it didn't have all that long to rehearse. When we moved to Broadway, we brought the entire cast, so we really only had two weeks to get it ready. With the tour, including technical rehearsals, we're doing three-and-a half weeks. Normally we would have done a week or two longer if they were all brand new people and puppeteers. But since a number of them had done the show before, we're not teaching them from scratch. There will be some small changes, though. When we played Vegas, we were on a much wider stage than in New York. So we want to use our space better [as in Las Vegas] knowing that we're going to be playing some much larger theatres across the country.

As Associate Director, Mr. Ensign helps to supervise the rehearsal and casting process and also ensure that the creative standards of the show are upheld no matter where it may be playing.

ENSIGN: Really what I'm responsible for is keeping up [Director] Jason Moore's original intent of the play. Part of what I do is step in and find, when we hire an individual, that something special in them that we want to bring out, which may be a different thing than the person in the original version. How do we make that character's journey, which may be slightly different, still fit in to the whole arc of the play? There's no point in watching a duplicate of the original because then there's no gut and there's no heart in it.

A unique aspect of Avenue Q is, of course, the puppets. Christian Anderson, who has toured the country in both Rent and The Full Monty, explains the different physical challenges that this show poses for performers.

ANDERSON: Rent was vocally tiring but I was much younger so I could spring back a little easier. In The Full Monty there was some crazy choreography so that was difficult. I was in the best shape ever. With this show, however, you're holding your arm up the whole time, so it's different but a constant kind of thing. My right side is lop-sided the whole show.

With the cast soon leaving for San Diego to go through ten days of technical rehearsals followed by ten days of preview performances, we asked Christian Anderson and Angela Ai (who plays the character "Christmas Eve") if they were looking forward to hitting the road.

ANGELA AI: Yes! I haven't been on a big tour before. That's part of the reason I wanted to do [this show]. I just wanted to have the experience. I decided I'm going to try one of the top restaurants in each city!

ANDERSON: The greatest thing about being on a tour definitely is the tourism aspect. You get to see parts of the country you wouldn't go to. The hard thing about it is you don't get a break sometimes. You're traveling all together, you work together, and you live together. You're always connected to work.

After working on the show for so long, composer Lopez has had plenty of opportunity to observe audience's response to his work. We asked him what he expected from audiences across the country.

LOPEZ: Every audience that I've seen react to Avenue Q has been incredibly enthusiastic and loud. It's always been a pleasure to watch, as a writer. So I expect to hear lots of laughter from different parts of the country, and what I hope is they'll also go on the emotional journey of the show.

Visit Avenue Q online to find out when the show will be playing near you.

BROADWAY BARES XVII: MYTH BEHAVIOR was an astounding success, raising a record-shattering $743,787 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This annual Broadway event features the hottest chorus boys and girls from Broadway's biggest shows baring (almost) all to benefit BC/EFA. The first Broadway Bares, at which founder Jerry Mitchell and six friends danced for tips at a bar in Chelsea, raised $8,000 in 1991. Since then, 17 editions of Broadway Bares have collectively raised over $4.8 million to benefit BC/EFA.

Highlights from Broadway Bares XVII: Myth Behavior on June 17 included:

-Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde) as the evening's leading lady, "Frustracia," a Greek woman who finds her desires wanting more attention

-Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent) performing her rendition of the Elton John classic, "Rocketman," while The Living Art of Armando showcased some of their aerial talents in a number dedicated to the myth of Icarus

-Annaleigh Ashford (Legally Blonde), Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins), Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) and Deidre Goodwin (A Chorus Line) appearing as "The Broadway Sirens" and charming audience members with their beautiful rendition of "The Love Boat Theme"

Multiple Tony Award®-winner Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray) in "Pandora" drag, begging Kritzer's "Frustracia" to open his magic box.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $130 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, and HIV-related illnesses.

And coming soon, Shubert Alley goes to the dogs (and cats) with BROADWAY BARKS 9!, a star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon for New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event takes place on Saturday July 14th from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in Shubert Alley (West 44th - 45th Streets between Broadway and 8th Avenue).

A galaxy of Broadway stars will join hosts Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore for this special benefit, presenting the animals for adoption. Celebrity presenters include Angela Lansbury and Michael Mulheren (Deuce); Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna (Chicago); David Hyde Pierce, Jason Danieley, Michael McCormick, Debra Monk, and Karen Ziemba (Curtains); Jerry Mathers and Paul Vogt (Hairspray); Michael Cerveris (LoveMusik); Jo Anne Worley, John Glover, Beth Leavel, Gerry Vichi and Patrick Wetzel (The Drowsy Chaperone); Ashley Brown, Jane Carr, Daniel Jenkins, and Gavin Lee (Mary Poppins); John McMartin and Maureen Moore (Grey Gardens); Michael Berresse (A Chorus Line); John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf); J. Robert Spencer and John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys); Orfeh and Andy Karl (Legally Blonde); David Hibbard and Martin Moran (Monty Python's Spamalot); Sebastian Arcelus, Jayne Houdyshell, and Kendra Kassebaum (Wicked); and many more.

Broadway Barks 9! will also feature an auction of celebrity-autographed memorabilia. Additional auction merchandise will be available at eBay.com (use the key words “Bernadette Peters”). Proceeds from the auction and other donations will benefit the shelters and organizations attending Broadway Barks 9! Last year's Broadway Barks! attracted an audience of more than 6,000 theatre fans, pet owners, and animal lovers, and featured the participation of more than 24 animal shelters from the New York City area.

Visit BroadwayBarks.com for more information.

Bart, Mullaly, Foster and More Confirmed for Young Frankenstein

The full cast has been announced for the long-awaited stage version of Mel Brooks' 1974 comedic film Young Frankenstein. Frank's Broadway debut will feature Roger Bart (Dr. Frankenstein), Megan Mullaly (Elizabeth), Sutton Foster (Inga), Shuler Hensley (the Monster), Andrea Martin (Frau Blüchner), Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor), and Fred Applegate (Inspector Kemp). Susan Stroman will choreograph and direct. The show features a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Brooks. Previews begin October 11, followed by a November 8 opening night bow at the Hilton Theatre. Tickets will go on sale July 15.

Broadway Night at Shea

Here's Stephanie J. Block (The Pirate Queen, Wicked) singing the national anthem on June 25th before the New York Mets game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ms. Block's appearance was part of Broadway Night at Shea Stadium, a benefit event for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Hamlin and Real-Life Wife Take on Broadway's Chicago

Broadway welcomed real-life husband and wife Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna to the current revival of Chicago on June 19. Hamlin, a Broadway veteran known for his work on television's “L.A. Law,” plays lawyer Billy Flynn opposite his wife Rinna ("Melrose Place"), making her Broadway debut as singing and dancing murderess Roxie Hart. Both are set to razzle-dazzle in a limited engagement at the Ambassador Theatre through July 29.

Wednesdays get a Little More Wicked in LA

Ever wanted to don Elphaba's green-face? Universal Studios' Wicked Wednesday offers the opportunity. Wicked fans can indulge in face-painting and karaoke, get autographs from the stars, and witness a weekly performance from the cast of the Los Angeles production of the hit Broadway musical. The weekly series will be held at The Blues Brothers Stage inside Universal Studios Hollywood theme park from 12:00pm to 2:00pm starting June 27. Wicked plays at Los Angeles' Pantages Theatre.

Broadway Hit Hits the Big Screen

The explosion of movie-musicals continues as the latest submission, a film based on the Broadway musical Hairspray, hits the silver screen this month. The film marks the Hollywood debut of Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, alongside screen veterans John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma von Tussel, and Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton. Hairspray hits movie theatres on July 20.