A contest to replace the "George Bush" line in the finale "For Now" in the Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q (on Broadway at the Golden Theatre and on national tour) has resulted in over 2,000 entries from contest participants coast-to-coast in the United States, as well as from overseas in Brazil, Australia, Ukraine and Israel, to name a few.
AVENUE Q -- which opened on Broadway in 2003 and six years later continues to entertain audiences on Broadway (at the Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45 St.), on national tour and in London's West End -- concludes with the musical number "For Now," which reminds us that "everything in life is only for now," including "sex, your hair and George Bush."
The contest (conducted Dec. 22, 2008 to Jan. 12, 2009) invited the general public to submit suggestions for a new lyric to replace "George Bush" as he will leave the office of President of the United States on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009 and forfeit his spot as a lyric in a hit Broadway show, as well.
Due to the large number, and broad and quirky array of responses to the contest, the creators and producers of AVENUE Q have selected 4 winning lyrics from contest participants that will be performed in the show on Broadway over the course of several performances to gauge the response and audience reaction, and determine which lyric emerges as the most satisfying.
The contest lyrics to be performed in AVENUE Q are:
"Recession"
"Prop 8"
"This show"
"Your mother-in-law"
(The winning entries were sent by contestants from various locations, including New York City. It should be noted that while the participation of international fans of AVENUE Q was greatly appreciated, the contest rules did stipulate that only entries submitted from United States residents could be considered.)
The first of the contest lyrics -- "Recession is only for now" -- will be performed in the show at the 8 p.m. performance of AVENUE Q on Broadway on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 after President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. Dates for performances of the 3 remaining lyrics remain TBA.
The broad range of topics suggested by contest entrants include politics ("bailouts"), personalities, the economy ("your bank," "your debt"), sports, fuel prices ("cheap gas"), the internet ("Facebook", "MySpace"), television ("reality TV"), health ("botox"), global warming ("ice caps"), automakers, Iraq ("the war"), Paris Hilton and life itself ("your youth)."
According to AVENUE Q producer Robyn Goodman, "We always knew we'd get some interesting feedback when the contest started, but the number of responses is thrilling and is a pleasant reminder of how much people love the show. To read the long list of suggestions that have been submitted provides a very interesting look at what people have on their minds at this historic and complicated time. There were some thoughtful and funny entries and we'll try them out to see what works best. Maybe they all will. Perhaps nothing will ever be as delicious as the transient nature of the Bush presidency."
The winners of the "Only for Now" contest will receive a prize package including autographed program and poster from AVENUE Q, a cast recording, a copy of the Avenue Q Coffee Table book and an autographed copy of the revised script with the contest winner's lyric included -- and bragging rights!
Winner of three 2004 Tony Awards including Best Musical, AVENUE Q continues its record-breaking run on Broadway at the Golden Theatre (252 W. 45 St.) and remains a hit in its third year on national tour. With a cast comprised of people and puppets, AVENUE Q is the story of 20-somethings, fresh out of college, who move to New York with big dreams and tiny bank accounts. Entertainment Weekly calls AVENUE Q "one of the funniest shows you are ever likely to see!"
George W. Bush was just two years in office when AVENUE Q took the world by storm, opening to rave reviews when it premiered in March 2003 Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre and transferred to Broadway in July 2003. AVENUE Q became an instant smash, routinely breaking box office and attendance records, going on to win three Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Score of a Musical and, of course, Best Musical.
AVENUE Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, and is directed by Jason Moore. Puppets are conceived and designed by Rick Lyon.
Here is an example of what one of the new closing lyrics would sound like in the final number!
Only for now (sex!)
Only for now (your hair!)
Only for now (recession!)**
Is only for now!
Don't stress,
Relax, left life roll of your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now.
