Ben Church of East Providence featured in URI Production of "Avenue Q"

Kingston, RI - The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department presents the award-winning musical, "Avenue Q." URI performers bring the cast of characters to life in a production that's "part flesh, part felt and full of heart."

URI student Ben Church of East Providence, R.I., will be featured in the production of "Avenue Q," as Nicky.

Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for best musical, best score and best book, "Avenue Q" is a laugh-out-loud production that explores adult themes as it tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment on Avenue Q. There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the internet sexpert), Lucy (certainly not the girl next door) and other colorful types who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life.

The cast includes three human and 11 puppet characters manipulated by unconcealed puppeteers. Though some characters are fun-loving puppets, the play is not intended for children.

"Avenue Q" will run Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 20-22 at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances Nov. 16 and Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre in the URI Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road in Kingston.

General admission is $20, and tickets are discounted to $18 for seniors and URI faculty and staff, and $15 for students. Call (401) 874-5843 to purchase tickets or buy online.

The University of Rhode Island's pioneering research extends the University's influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2014, more than 3,000 undergraduate and about 680 graduate degrees were awarded. The University now has more than 115,000 alumni worldwide.