Photo Coverage: AVENUE Q Reveals Possible 'Only For Now' Lyrics
By: Peter James Zielinski Jan. 19, 2009
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The 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) 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. On Friday, January 15th, the winners were revealed in a special press event, the entire Avenue Q gang was there and so was BroadwayWorld!
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 tomorrow, 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 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.AVENUE Q -- winner of 3 Tony Awards in 2004, including Best Musical -- is the hilarious musical about 20-somethings fresh out of college who move to New York City with big dreams and tiny bank accounts.
The musical is produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group. Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, with puppets conceived and designed by Rick Lyon, AVENUE Q has musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, choreography by Ken Roberson, scenic design by Anna Louizos, costume design by Mirena Rada, lighting design by Howell Binkley, and sound design by Acme Sound Partners.
For tickets to AVENUE Q on Broadway, call TeleCharge at 212-239-6200
Photos by Peter James Zielinski
"Rod" and Howie Michael Smith
"Kate Monster", Carey Anderson and "Lucy The Slut"
"Nicky", Christian Anderson and "Trekkie Monster"
Christian Anderson, Jennifer Barnhart, Howie Michael Smith, Carey Anderson and Nicholas Kohn
Ann Sanders and Christian Anderson
Ann Sanders, Christian Anderson, Jennifer Barnhart, Howie Michael Smith, Carey Anderson and Nicholas Kohn
Jennifer Barnhart and "The Bad Idea Bears"
"Kate Monster", Carey Anderson and "Lucy The Slut", Jennifer Barnhart and a "Bad Idea Bear"
"Princeton", Howie Michael Smith, "Rod" , "Kate Monster", Carey Anderson and "Lucy The Slut"
Nicholas Kohn and a "Bad Idea Bear"
Jennifer Barnhart and "The Bad Idea Bears"
Anne Sanders, "Princeton", "Rod", "Kate Monster", Carey Anderson and "Lucy The Slut"
"Kate Monster", Carey Anderson, "Lucy The Slut", "Princeton", Howie Michael Smith and "Rod the Republican"
The Avenue Q. gang gets ready for the winning lyrics
"Princeton" and "Kate Monster" get close while Howie Michael Smith and Carey Anderson look on!
Ann Sanders, Nicholas Kohn and Tonya Dixon
Ann Sanders, Nicholas Kohn, Carey Anderson, Evan Ensign and Tonya Dixon
Jennifer Barnhart and one of the "Bad Idea Bears"
Nicholas Kohn, Tonya Dixon, Jeff Whitty and Ann Sanders
The cast of Avenue Q!
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