Avenue Q

NATIONAL THEATRE

FEBRUARY 2025

JOIN OUR VIP LIST FOR ACCESS TO AVENUE Q DISCOUNTS & PRE-SALES TICKETS

About the Play

A puppet-filled adults only comedy follows a group of twenty-somethings seeking their purpose in big-city life.

Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart.

The laugh-out-loud musical 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. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Avenue Q is coming to the National Theatre in February 2025.

From the producer of critically acclaimed musical theatre hits including
"The Boy from Oz", "Freaky Friday" and "The Sound of Music"

Show Details

AVENUE Q

Music & Lyrics by Jeff Marx & Robert Lopez

Book by Jeff Whitty

Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)

Production Team

Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar
Director: Pip Mushin
Music Director: Alexandra Byrne
Choreographer & Assistant Director:
Adriana Pannuzzo
Production Design: Abbey Stanway
Costume Design: Karen Spencer
Puppet Design & Creation: Andrew McDougall
Graphic Design: Jett Archer

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Cast

Princeton: Harley Dasey
Kate Monster: Zoe Crisp
Nicky & Trekkie: Andrew McDougall
Rod: Jonathon Shilling
Lucy & Mrs T: Cassie Ogle
Bad Idea Bear & Puppeteer: Perri Espinoza
Bad Idea Bear: Darcy Harriss
Brian: Matthew Tomlin
Xmas Eve: Chiew-Jin Khut
Gary Coleman: Stephanie Lacerna
Swing: Liimei Lim, Drew Holmes

© AG Theatre Pty Ltd
PO Box 44 Elwood VIC 3184 Australia

Andrew Gyopar

Executive Producer

TBD

Pip Mushin

Director

A graduate of WAAPA (Acting) and VCA (Directing – Film and Television), Pip’s directing credits include the World Premiere of Midnight – The Cinderella Story, Dogfight, Little Women, Falsettos, Avenue Q, Merrily We Roll Along, From Phantom to Figaro and La Serve Pedrona, Crossing Delancey, Yentl the Yeshivah Boy, Arafat in Therapy, Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Biloxi Blues.

Pip’s resident director credits include the Australian premiere season of The Book of Mormon, Opera Australia’s Evita starring Tina Arena and Fiddler on the Roof starring Anthony Warlow.

Pip wrote and directed the feature film, Josh Jarman, released nationally through Hoyts Cinemas whilst for television Pip has directed many hours of comedy and variety on numerous programs for the Nine Network, Seven Network and Foxtel.

As an actor Pip’s credits include Wayne in Baz Luhrmann’s feature Strictly Ballroom and Stu in the award winning ABC satire Frontline. Other film and TV credits include Peter Jackson’s international hit King Kong, Queen of the Damned, The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Muggers, Fat Pizza, The Subjects, The Dr Blake Mysteries, Halifax FP, The Secret Life of Us, Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Heelers, Acropolis Now, Flying Doctors and Mission Impossible.

Alexandra Byrne

Music Director

TBD

Adriana Pannuzzo

Choreographer & Assistant Director

TBD

Abbey Stanway

Production Design

Abbey Stanway is a Melbourne based production designer working predominantly in theatre. She holds an Honours degree in Design, and a BFA in Design and Production. Recent works include The Boy From Oz and A Chorus Line (Set Design) with Theatrical, Dry Land (Set Design) with Flatpack Theatre Company, The Merchant of Venice (Set Design) and The Wacky Wombat (Set Design) with Melbourne Shakespeare Company. Credits from her time at the VCA include The Wolves (Set Design), and Merrily We Roll Along (Associate Costume Design). Abbey currently works at the Australian Ballet School as Costume Coordinator, and has a strong interest in design technology.

Karen Spencer

Costume Design

Karen is an emerging costume designer and current student of Performance Design and Graphic Design at the University of Melbourne. With an extensive background in sewing, she started assisting with costumes for school plays, and got her first costume designer role with UMMTA in 2022 on a late 90s version of Footloose. This was followed by costume design roles with other student and community theatre groups, then a costume assistant role with Theatrical’s American Idiot led to Karen heading up the costume department for Theatrical’s productions of The Wizard of Oz, Dogfight, The Sound of Music, The Boy From Oz, and A Chorus Line. Karen began her professional career as costume designer for a musical adaptation of childhood favourite The 3 Little Pigs, and is excited to bring her designs to a new, adults only audience with Avenue Q.

Andrew McDougall

Puppet Design & Creation

TBD

Jett Archer

Graphic Design

TBD

Harley Dasey

Princeton

Harley hails from Gidgegannup, Western Australia. He has a Bachelor of Music Theatre from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, and a Diploma of Musical Theatre from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Harley spent 2023 as a Featured Vocalist at Universal Studios Japan. Since moving to Melbourne in 2024, he played Charlie in Maybe A Miracle (Perform Education), which toured to various VIC schools in celebration of book week. Other previous credits include Featured Soloist in Retro FM (Festival Statesman Chorus) at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and Elliot in
The Killdeer (dir. Tay Broadley) at Perth Fringe.

Harley also has a deep love for music, having played guitar, saxophone, and percussion throughout his life.

Zoe Crisp

Kate Monster

Zoe graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2021 with a BA in Music Theatre, having previously attained her Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2018. Notable roles from her time at WAAPA include The Bakers Wife (Into The Woods), Anna (Spring Awakening) and a Kit Kat Dancer (Cabaret).
In 2020 Zoe performed in an original cabaret titled Growing Pains, where she received WAAPA’s Julie Micheal Cabaret Award for “best originally devised cabaret”.

Most recently Zoe made her professional stage debut in the ensemble of Carousel: A Concert (Enda Markey Presents) where she also understudied the role of Carrie Pipperidge.

She has also appeared in a handful of children’s theatre productions around Melbourne including Project Mindset (National Theatre for Children) and Story Quest (Echelon Productions).

Other notable credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert! (Platinum Entertainment), The Beep Test (Neylon and Peele), and We Will Rock You (Platinum Entertainment).

Zoe is delighted to be joining the cast of Avenue Q as Kate Monster!

Andrew McDougall

Nicky & Trekkie

Andrew has been a part of puppetry in Australia for the past 30 years. Graduating as part of the inaugural Post Graduate Diploma in Puppetry from the VCA in 2004.

He’s worked in countless Film, Television and Theatre Productions across the country and internationally. He has also studied with some of Australia’s top puppeteers and companies.

His previous credits include shows such as Eeyore/Rabbit/Owl (Disney’s Winnie the Pooh – The New Musical Stage Adaptation), Oliver (Fagin), Witches Of Eastwick (Darryl Van Horne), Rock of Ages (Lonny), The Addams family (Gomez), Sylvia (Tom/ Phylis/ Lesley), The Producers (Max Bialystock), (Nicky/Trekkie/ puppet designer), Walking with Dinosaurs the Live Experience (Hatchling lead/Baby T‐Rex, The Creature Company), Little Shop of Horrors (Plant Puppeteer and Designer).

Andrew is over the moon to return to one of his favourite shows Avenue Q bringing the unhinged chaos of these characters back to Melbourne.

Jonathon Shilling

Rod

Born and raised in Adelaide, Jonathon holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) from Federation University where he graduated in 2017, and a Certificate IV in Dance. His credits at university include, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ (Albert Peterson), ‘RENT’ (Angel | u/s Mark) and ‘Sweeney Todd’ (Tobias Ragg). Since Graduating Jonathon has toured with Perform! Education (Echelon Productions) and as a dancer for Bethany Fisher. His show credits include ‘Post: A New Musical’ (Jonathan) (Something Blue Productions), ‘Kinky Boots’ (Angel) (CLOC), ‘Jersey Boys’ (Bob Gaudio) (CLOC), ‘Grease’ (Doody) (Footlight Productions), ‘Disco Pigs’ (Pig) (Gavin Roach Productions) and the Australian touring production of ‘Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody’ (Derald Bacon/Assistant Dance Captain) (Salty Theatre). Most recently Jonathon was a performer in Broadway Bangers which was part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024. Jonathon is so excited to be part of the Avenue Q cast, an absolute dream show of his!

Cassie Ogle

Lucy & Mrs T

Cassie Ogle (they/them/she) is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (BFA in Music Theatre) and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Diploma in Musical Theatre). Recent roles include; The Cat in the Hat ‘Seussical: The Musical’ (OCPAC, dir. Joey Phyland), Hermia ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (JohnX Presents, dir. Roger Hodgeman), and originating roles in new Australian works ‘For a Mother’s Love’ Kylie Creighton (writer/dir. Jami Bladel) and ‘Lullaby of the Earth’ God Child/Dance Captain (ACERS Victoria). While at VCA, Cassie received the Orloff Charitable Trust Scholarship, performed in ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘Morning Melodies 2022’ (dir. Jayde Kirchert), ‘Mongrel’ (dir. Maude Davey & Sarah Ward), ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ Dory (dir. Jason Langley), and ‘Urinetown’ Penelope Pennywise (dir. Trudy Dunn). Hailing from Tasmania (Nipaluna), hometown highlights include; ‘The Hatpin’ Clara Makin (dir. Karen Kluss), ‘Trial by Jury’ Angelina (dir. John X), ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ Millie Dilmount, and ‘Into The Woods’ Cinderella (Musical Theatre Crew).

Perri Espinoza

Bad Idea Bear & Puppeteer

In 2021, Perri completed her BMus, specialising in contemporary vocals, at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, while also training at Spectrum Dance. Currently, Perri proudly manages and performs in her weddings and events music collective, Montie & I.

In addition to recently concluding her first international tour as lead vocalist for Dance Extravaganza ‘Ballroom Blitz’ (Base Entertainment), Perri has also taken on iconic musical roles such as ‘Antia’ in West Side Story (Centerstage & Lumina Theatre Society) and ‘Fran’ in Strictly Ballroom (Footlight Productions). Perri has enjoyed career highlights including working as a feature vocalist for Crescendo Music Australia, opening the Australian Music Vault alongside Archie Roach, being mentored by John Foreman as part of Monash University’s Sound Series and concluding her residency in Melbourne’s Queens of the Damned Cabaret.

Perri’s additional credits include ‘Amy’ in The Consequence of Kindness (Impending Storm Productions), ‘Claricè’ in A Servant of Two Masters (Northern Theatre Co.) and ‘ensemble’ in Wicked (Footlight Productions), Jack of Two Trades (Jeanne Pratt Artists), The Execution Will Not Be Televised (Impending Storm Productions), Jesus Christ Superstar (Geelong Lyric Theatre Society) & Annie (Geelong Lyric Theatre Society).

Darcy Harriss

Bad Idea Bear

Darcy is a Theatre graduate from the Victorian College of the Arts (2020). Notable credits include Boq in Wicked (YABC 2017), Agamemnon in Agamemnon (VCA 2019), Statue/Ensemble in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (OSMAD 2023), Franz/Understudy Max in The Sound of Music (Theatrical 2024) and most recently the Priest in Bare (DIY 2024). He has also devised and performed in original works such as A Slippery Thing (featured in the 2019 Melbourne Fringe) and Simulacrum (made digitally in 2020). Darcy does voice acting and commercial voiceover, where he is the voice of several advertisements in the United States. Avenue Q is Darcy’s dream show, so he’s overjoyed that it’s come true!

Matthew Tomlin

Brian

Matthew Tomlin is a dedicated musical theatre performer hailing from Launceston, Tasmania. Over the years, he has been fortunate to take on diverse roles in productions both in his hometown and Melbourne. Starting his journey in Launceston with performances in Bring It On, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line, Buddy Holly: The Buddy Holly Story, Wicked and Blood Brothers, Matthew’s passion for the stage grew with each show.

Since moving to Melbourne, Matthew has performed in productions including Kinky Boots, Strictly Ballroom, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and Eulogy For A Genius. Most recently, he had the privilege of playing Quasimodo in the Victorian premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a role that was both challenging and rewarding.

Now, Matthew is excited to bring the role of Brian to life in Avenue Q. He is grateful to the cast, crew, and audiences who continue to support his journey in the arts.

Chiew-Jin Khut

Xmas Eve

Chiew-Jin holds a BTheatre (CQUniversity), a DipMusTheatre (APO Arts Academy), and is currently undertaking a Master of Music (Performance Teaching) at University of Melbourne’s Conservatorium of Music.

Originally from Adelaide, she was cast as Lily in Legacy of the Tiger Mother, Adelaide Fringe Festival 2012; and in a developmental piece The Red Pinafore (Various People Inc.), Adelaide Festival Centre’s InSPACE Programme 2014.

After studying interstate, she packed her bags and moved to London, upon her return to Melbourne in 2018 she was cast in both of Babirra’s shows: Singin’ In The Rain and Dusty. In 2022 she had her professional debut with Victorian Opera’s season of Happy End. 2024 brought her back to the stage in La Mama’s Cabaretica – Miscellanea.

Chiew-Jin is thrilled to be bringing the role of Christmas Eve to life for AG Theatre’s season of Avenue Q and can’t wait to welcome you to the neighbourhood.

Stephanie Lacerna

Gary Coleman

Stephanie is absolutely thrilled to be making her theatre debut here on Avenue Q! With a love for music and performing arts, Stephanie has spent the last several years training and honing her craft. She moved to the Philippines for two years, after signing a record-label deal and competing in Philippine Idol. Since then, she’s completed music theatre, dancing and acting courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, City Adult Ballet and Brave Studios, and continues to love learning and growing. Outside of the theatre, Stephanie works as a model and film and television actress. When she’s not on stage, you’ll find her at a sewing machine, crafting her next outfit or out in the water catching some waves. Stephanie extends her love and gratitude for your support today and can’t wait to bring this show to life!

Liimei Lim

Swing

Liimei is a Malaysian-Australian artist who made her professional debut in We Will Rock You as Teen Queen swing and Ensemble (Platinum Entertainment). At the Arts Academy, she played Creature and William Frankenstein in Frankenstein, followed by dance captain and Tank in MOTOR-MOUTH LOVES SUCK-FACE: An Apocalyptic Musical. Since then, she played Tiffany Singer in A Zoom Group Project: The Musical and choreographed its 2023 Melbourne Fringe season, was a 2024 Resident Artist at Broadway Unplugged (Be You Group), and played Lily in IBS: Irritable Blood Suckers (dir. Bridget Sweeney). Most recently, Liimei debuted in the vocal trio Duchess (Eleonore Entertainment) and was in the ensemble of Bearded The Musical. @liimei_

Drew Holmes

Swing

After a short stint in Sydney studying acting, Drew relocated to Newcastle to study with RIPA where they acquired their certificate 4 in Musical theatre and a Diploma of Arts ‘Acting’

They have now relocated to Melbourne to continue their creative career.

Drew has been lucky enough to work as an Actor, writer, set designer, Director & teacher.

Drew co-wrote “Unforgettable”, chosen in the top 10 for the 2015 Sydney Short and Sweet festival for which they won best Male Actor & Best Male Newcomer for 2014

Drew has Received CONDA’s for their performance of Amos Heart ‘Chicago’ (SNAP) 2013 & excellence in set & prop design ‘she loves me’ (Opera Hunter) 2021

Drew was also the role of George in James Terry’s 2024 green room award winning production of Kinky boots.

Other noteworthy roles have been Bernadette in Priscilla, Gomez in the Addams family, Lefou in beauty and the beast and Vinnie in lucky stiff!

Noah Chrapot

Three Little Pigs

Noah is a freelance arts manager and technician with a diverse skill set that spans stage management, audio engineering, and production management. Noah enjoys implementing technical and artistic elements to create experiences that audiences love. He has worked in a variety of roles across the performing arts as well as for corporate and major events. Noah frequently works with Arts Centre Melbourne, Orchestra Victoria, Victorian Opera and Stagepass.

Tahra Cannon

Director

TBD

Ella Campbell

Three Little Pigs

Ella Campbell is an emerging Stage Manager & Set Designer. Recently, completing a Bachelor of Stage Management & Technical Production at COLLARTS, Ella has been learning new skills & putting them to practise while working in the independent scene in Naarm/Melbourne. Stage Managing & Designing at venues such as La Mama, Theatreworks, The Substation, Bluestone Church Arts Space, The Motley Bauhaus, the MC Showroom, and now the National Theatre in St Kilda. Participating in festivals such as Melbourne Fringe & Midsumma Festival. Ella has Stage Managed a touring show around the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, as well as completing secondments with Xroads Live (The Odd Couple, Comedy Theatre, Melbourne) & Bell Shakespeare (Twelfth NIght, The Sydney Opera House)

Abbey Stanway

Production Design

Abbey Stanway is a Melbourne based production designer working predominantly in theatre. She holds an Honours degree in Design, and a BFA in Design and Production. Recent works Three Little Pigs (Set Design) with A.G Theatre, The Boy From Oz and A Chorus Line (Set Design) with Theatrical, Dry Land (Set Design) with Flatpack Theatre Company, The Merchant of Venice (Set Design) and The Wacky Wombat (Set Design) with Melbourne Shakespeare Company. Credits from her time at the VCA include The Wolves (Set Design), and Merrily We Roll Along (Associate Costume Design). Abbey currently works at the Australian Ballet School as Costume Coordinator, and has a strong interest in design technology.

Max Woods

Lighting Designer and Technician

Max is a Melbourne based lighting designer and technician who studied at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Max was previously the Technical Manager at the National Theatre Melbourne, where he discovered his passion for lighting. Highlights of his career as a designer so far include: Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company’s Kazka (directed by Melanie Moravski Dechniz); Theatrical Inc.’s A Chorus Line (directed by Tahra Cannon); and Karma Dance’s Temple of Desire (directed by Govind Pillai), which was the recipient of the Director’s Choice Award at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Ben Hamilton

Three Little Pigs

Max is a Melbourne based lighting designer and technician who studied at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Max was previously the Technical Manager at the National Theatre Melbourne, where he discovered his passion for lighting. Highlights of his career as a designer so far include: Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company’s Kazka (directed by Melanie Moravski Dechniz); Theatrical Inc.’s A Chorus Line (directed by Tahra Cannon); and Karma Dance’s Temple of Desire (directed by Govind Pillai), which was the recipient of the Director’s Choice Award at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Georg Gleeson

Three Little Pigs

Georg Gleeson (they/them) is a proud queer performer hailing from Meanjin. In 2020 Georg completed their Advanced Diploma of Art (Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance) at the Australian Dance Performance Institute under the guidance of course director Jacqui Devereux. During their time there, Georg performed as a soloist in showcases Weathering the Storm (dir. Penny Farrow) and Treading the Boards (dir. Tim Hill). In 2022, Georg wrote and performed in their coming out cabaret “Becoming Georg” with the Head Bros’ 10 Act Cabaret. Other professional credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (PETER QUINCE), Ordinary Days (WARREN), High School Musical: On Stage! (KELSI NEILSON), the Melbourne season of The Human Centipede Parody Musical (JENNY), and Teeth and Tonic (SWING: FRANKIE/OJP). On top of their performance career, Georg is a qualified digital marketer, having worked for various performing arts schools and theatre groups across Brisbane, including Australian Dance Performance Institute, Queensland College of Dance and more.

Tristan Sicari

Three Little Pigs

Tristan garnered a love for performing arts from a young age, studying theatre at the Singapore School of the Arts and performing in numerous youth theatre productions. Whilst studying a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Federation University Australia, he originated the character ‘Shakespeare’ in Zoe Becomes A Comet, a new musical by Anthony Crowley & Shanon D Whitelock; performed ‘Rapunzel’s Prince/Mysterious Man’ in Into the Woods directed by Alister Smith; and wrote and performed material for Exquisite Corpse 2.0: We, The Mariner. Since graduating in 2022, Tristan’s credits include Henry – Way Too Cool! (Echelon Productions), Brian Brain – Filter Fun Park (Filter Your Future), Carl/Hartel – Fresno: In Concert (Butterfly Club), & Bernstein – Dogfight (Theatrical.). Tristan can currently be found training dinosaurs at Jurassic World: The Exhibition.

Isabelle Davis

Three Little Pigs

Isabelle Davis (She/her) is a Melbourne born and Shanghai raised Singer/Songwriter and performer. Following the completion of her BA in Music Theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2019, Isabelle focused her creative energy on writing, releasing and performing her original music throughout Victoria. Isabelle’s most recent theatre credits include: Share House: The Musical (Arts Centre Melbourne), Outback Adventures (M.S.C) and Ordinary Days (Be You). Isabelle also featured on Find Me, the theme song of award winning audio drama, The Realm Tree, as the voice of Talia Wick in 2022.

Isabelle is currently working on her debut album, and is very excited to bring the 3 Little Pigs to life with AG Theatre.

Zak Vasiliou

Three Little Pigs

Originally from Adelaide, Zak (he/him) is a graduate of The Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), where he studied a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre). Zak’s previous credits include ‘Mongrel’ (dir. Maude Davey), ‘The Hello Girls’ (dir. Jason Langley), ‘Sweet Charity’ (dir. Jayde Kirchert), ‘Chicago’ (dir. Adrian Barnes), and ‘Ivy and Bean’ (dir. Sarah Williams). Most recently, Zak has appeared in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Show, ‘Weird Al Piano Bar’ (dir. Joshua Cowie). Zak is also excited to debut his solo stand-up comedy show, ‘Twinky Twinky Little Star’ in the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025. Zak is thrilled to be bringing this beloved tale to life alongside such an extraordinary team.

Jake Lonergan

Three Little Pigs

Jake Lonergan is a young and spirited performer who recently completed his musical theatre training at Showfit under the tutelage of Mathew Frank, Katherine Tonkin and Freya List. He made his professional debut as an ensemble member of Working Dog’s ‘Thank God You’re Here’ and is thrilled to make his professional stage debut in AG Theatre’s ‘Three Little Pigs.

Tayla Thomas

Mother Pig

In 2015, Tayla marked her professional debut on stage at Disneyland Hong Kong, embodying the characters Elsa and Rapunzel in the Broadway-style production, ‘Mickey and the Wondrous Book.’ Her journey continued in 2018 when she secured a coveted spot in ‘Team Delta’s’ top 12 on ‘The Voice,’ turning four chairs in her blind audition.

Previous roles include ‘Maria’ in ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Swing’ in ‘Hi 5’, ‘Jo’ in ‘Little Women,’ ‘The Bakers Wife’ in ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Sherrie’ in ‘Rock of Ages,’ ‘Fantine’ in ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Fiona’ in ‘Shrek the Musical’ and ‘Elle Woods’ in ‘Legally Blonde.’

Grateful for the opportunity to make her Commercial Musical Theatre debut on home soil, she extends heartfelt thanks to AG Theatre for giving this mummy pig a chance. Tayla dedicates her performance to her own two little piggies Florence and Faye.