Though no longer Commander-in-Chief, George Bush's tenure on Broadway as a lyric in the musical AVENUE Q will continue, it has been announced by the Tony Award-winning musical's creators and producers.
A nationwide contest held late last year to find a lyric to replace "George Bush is only for now" in the show's finale -- upon the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2009 -- has led the show's creative team back to where they started, with a twist: after performing and considering four previously chosen lyrics from the "For Now" contest, AVENUE Q writers Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty have settled on a fifth choice, "George Bush WAS only for now."
According to AVENUE Q's Tony Award-winning librettist Jeff Whitty, "During the trial period when we tried out all the winning lyrics from the contest, we discovered there is nothing like the strong response the Bush line gets from the audience." And Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist Robert Lopez adds, "We now know that although George Bush's presidency was only for now, the comic potential of 'George Bush' seems like it may last forever."
The winning entry "George Bush WAS only for now" was submitted by Brian Barnett of Defiance, Ohio. Mr. Barnett will receive a prize package including an autographed AVENUE Q Playbill, a cast recording, a copy of the AVENUE Q Coffee Table book, and an autographed copy of the revised script with the new lyric included - and bragging rights!
The four previous contest lyrics selected in January and performed alternately in AVENUE Q in the ensuing weeks were: "'Recession' is only for now," "Prop 8," "This show," and "Your mother-in-law."
In fact, when the AVENUE Q tour plays California cities - Sacramento's Community Center Theatre from March 10 to March 22 and Costa Mesa's Segerstrom Hall from March 31 to April 12 - the "Prop 8 is only for now" line will be performed in the show. (Proposition 8 is the controversial Amendment to the California State constitution that was voted into law in November 2008, eliminating the right of same-sex couples to marry in that state.)AVENUE Q -- which opened on Broadway in 2003 and six years later continues to entertain audiences on Broadway (Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45 St.) and on national tour -- concludes with the musical number "For Now," which reminds us that everything in life is temporary, including "sex, your hair, George Bush is only for now," a line that will now be performed as "sex, your hair, George Bush WAS only for now."
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!"
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.
AVENUE Q is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.
