Following last year's "Avenue 2" promotional spots, the Broadway show again works with the television station to highlight the addition of veteran New York news anchor Jim Ryan to the CBS team. The promos began running Sept. 12, according to production spokespersons.

Setting new lyrics to the tune of Avenue Q's theme song, the series of new spots feature puppet likenesses of the CBS 2 News anchors Mario Bosquez, Shon Gables, Dave Price and Jim Ryan, with the real crew, along with Avenue Q stars Kate Monster, Nicky and Rod.

Ryan, formerly of Fox Channel 5's "Good Day New York" morning newscast, joins the news team on WCBS-TV starting Sept. 19. "CBS 2 News This Morning" airs locally on weekdays from 5-7 AM.

Jason Moore (Steel Magnolias) directed the puppet and people-populated musical which just entered its third year at the John Golden Theatre, still starring five original cast members (Jennifer Barnhart, Natalie Venetia Belcon, Jordan Gelber, Ann Harada and Tony Award-nominated Stephanie D'Abruzzo) joined by Barrett Foa and Christian Anderson.

Creators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx earned a Tony for their score as did bookwriter Jeff Whitty and the musical itself garnered the top prize as Best Musical at the 2004 Tony Awards. A second production of the musical opened Sept. 8 at the custom-built Broadway Theatre in the Wynn Las Vegas casino resort. The Nevada run stars original Broadway cast members John Tartaglia and Rick Lyon — who designed and provided the show's and CBS 2 News Crew puppets.

For more information on Avenue Q in New York and Las Vegas, visit www.avenueq.com.