AVENUE Q's Puppet Star Rod Invited to Same-Sex Wedding in DC

Rod, the puppet star of the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q -- who made international headlines on July 24, 2011 when he married his puppet boyfriend Ricky on the first day same-sex marriage became legal in the State of New York -- has himself been invited to the same-sex wedding of Mississippi couple Scott Barnes and Gary Holcomb in Washington, DC on Sunday, September 1. Sadly, Rod has sent his regrets to the grooms since Sunday is a two-show day at Avenue Q and he is obligated to perform in the musical, now in its 10th year in New York. (New World Stages, 340 W. 50 St.)

Although they have never been formally introduced to Rod, Mr. Barnes and Mr. Holcomb -- whose invite states their wedding is "20 years in the making" -- said they decided to invite him after becoming fans of Avenue Q: they saw the musical for the first time a year ago, falling in love with the show's colorful characters, especially fuzzy-bright-blue Rod, a closeted, Republican, Wall Street banker who embraces his sexuality and has his first date with Ricky at the end of the show.

A backstage introduction and a champagne toast between both couples -- Scott and Gary, Rod and Ricky -- will take place eventually as the newlyweds have been invited to see Avenue Q as guests of the show on a future trip to New York.

"I really hate to miss their big day," says Rod, "but the show must go on and Avenue Q can't go on without me! DC is my kind of town, too, with all those buttoned-downs on Capitol Hill. I wish the grooms a lifetime of happily wedded bliss."

Winner of three Tony Awards -- including Best Musical -- Avenue Q is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a group of 20-somethings fresh out of college -- people and puppets alike -- who lives as neighbors on a street in New York where they've come to pursue their big dreams and search for their purpose in life.

AVENUE Q has music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, and is directed by Jason Moore. 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.

AVENUE Q became an overnight sensation on Broadway in 2003, where it played for six record-breaking years before moving in 2009 to its current home at New World Stages.

AVENUE Q is produced by Kevin McCollum, Robyn Goodman, Jeffrey Seller, The Vineyard Theatre and The New Group.

AVENUE Q performs Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased through at Tele Charge 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com. A limited number of rush tickets for $26.50 are available at the box office for each performance. For more information visit www.avenueq.com.

Pictured: Ricky and Rod on their own wedding day, July 24, 2011, in New York City. Photo credit: Peter James Zielinski.