Members of the cast of “Avenue Q” presented by NECC’s Top Notch Players next month.

Find out what happens to starry eyed children when they become adults in “Avenue Q” presented by Northern Essex Community College’s Top Notch Players on Friday, April 10, Saturday, April 11, Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, at 4 p.m. in the Top Notch Theatre on the third floor of the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus, 100 Elliott St.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the door and through Eventbrite.com.

“Avenue Q” is an American play. It is an “autobiographical and biographical” coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by children’s television programs such as PBS‘s Sesame Street, that they were “special” and “could do anything”; but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no more “special” than anyone else.

The musical is notable for the use of 11 puppets, animated by unconcealed puppeteers, alongside three human actors.

The music and lyrics were written by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx Book By Jeff Whitty. It is based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx

It was originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller Vineyard Theater and The New Group.

The cast includes:

Salem, NH

            Hannah Heckman – McKenna — Kate Monster

            Arianna Crawford – Mrs.Thistletwat

            Kelly Schwing –Lucy

Manchester, NH

            Kristopher Schooner – Nicky

Amesbury    

            Kevin Marshall – Rod

Tewksbury

            Sarah Bird – Gary Coleman

Salisbury

            Hunter Gouldthorpe – Brian

Methuen  

            Caitlin Kennedy – Bad Idea Bear

Haverhill

            Geehae Moon – Christmas Eve

            Jay Lancaster — Ricky

Lawrence

            Michael Jw Ross – Trekkie Monster

Newburyport

            Christian Doyle — Princeton

            Conor Miller — Bad Idea Bear

TECH CREW

Newmarket, NH

            Robert Peter Mantegani — Stage Manager

Derry, NH     

            Amanda Kehoe – Assistant Stage Manager

Amesbury

            Nick Siess

            Nick Stuart

Haverhill

            Susan Padrone

Merrimac

            Hillari Denny

 Northern Essex offers associate degrees in dance, music, or theater. These degree programs prepare student for transfer into a four-year degree program.