Full casting and creative team have been announced for the 20th anniversary production of Avenue Q, which will return to the West End for a strictly limited run at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 20 March to 29 August 2026.
Emily Benjamin will lead the company as Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut, with Noah Harrison as Princeton and Rod. Meg Hateley will play Mrs T and Bad Idea Bear, while Oliver Jacobson joins as Brian. Charlie McCullagh will take on the roles of Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear, with Amelia Kinu Muus as Christmas Eve and Dionne Ward Anderson as Gary Coleman.
The cast is completed by Jasmine Beel, Jonathan Carlton, Angelis Hunt, Lesley Lemon, Jessica Niles Kadi and Joshua Williams Ward.
Director Jason Moore said:
“From the beginning, AVENUE Q has been defined by singular, standout young comedy performers – and this new company continues that tradition! This dynamic group of actors brings exceptional talent and inventive spirit to the stage, bringing perspectives to the show in ways that feel both thrillingly fresh and perfectly timed for today’s London audiences. I can’t wait for audiences to see them in action!”
The anniversary staging will be directed by original Broadway director Jason Moore, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, orchestrations and arrangements by Stephen Oremus and the original Broadway puppets designed by Rick Lyon. Set design is by Anna Louizos with choreography by Ebony Molina, costume design by Jean Chan, lighting by Tim Lutkin, sound by Paul Groothuis and video design by Nina Dunn for Pixellux.
Puppetry coaching will be led by Iestyn Evans and Andy Heath for Talk to the Hand Puppets, with Pearson Casting CDG as casting director. Julie Atherton, a member of the original West End company, will serve as Associate Director, with musical direction by Benjamin Holder.
The musical follows Princeton, a recent graduate who moves into a rundown apartment on Avenue Q. There he meets his eccentric neighbours who help him navigate work, love and the chaos of adult life.
Avenue Q first opened in the West End in 2006 at the Noël Coward Theatre before transferring to the Gielgud and Wyndham’s, where it completed its run in 2010. A special anniversary concert took place at the Sondheim Theatre in 2024.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
