Avenue Q Stars Heads to the Chatterbox March 18

By Andrew Gans
16 Mar 2004

From Top: Jordan Gelber and Rick Lyon
From Top: Jordan Gelber and Rick Lyon

Rick Lyon and Jordan Gelber, who currently star in the hit new musical Avenue Q, will sit down for a chat with host Seth Rudetsky at the March 18 edition of Seth's Broadway Chatterbox.

The weekly live talkfest, which includes interviews and performances from Broadway stars, is held at 6 PM at the New York cabaret Don't Tell Mama. There is a $10 donation and a two-drink minimum. The donation goes directly to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nation's leading industry-based, not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.

Rick Lyon, who designed all the puppets for Avenue Q, also portrays Nicky, Trekkie Monster and Bad Idea Bear #1 in the Jeff Marx-Robert Lopez-Jeff Whitty musical. A professional puppeteer for more than 25 years, Lyon's credits include "Sesame Street," "Bear in the Big Blue House," "Between the Lions," "Men in Black," the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" films and "Muppetvision 3D." Avenue Q marks his Broadway debut.

Jordan Gelber is also making his Broadway debut in Avenue Q, portraying struggling comedian Brian. He has worked at the Yale Repertory Theatre and the Berkshire Theatre Festival and took part in the workshops of Marty the Musical and Dirty Dancing the Musical. Gelber's screen credits include "Law & Order," "The Sopranos," "Queens Supreme," "100 Centre Street," "Guiding Light," "Everyday People," "Riding in Cars with Boys," "Changing Lanes" and "Way Off Broadway."

Creator and host of Seth's Broadway Chatterbox, Seth Rudetsky has served as a pit pianist and/or conductor for such Broadway shows as 42nd Street, The Full Monty, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia! and The Producers. He also conceived the idea for the recent all-star Chess concert to benefit the Actors' Fund of America as well as the two previous benefit concerts, Funny Girl and Dreamgirls. Rudetsky was a member of the comedy writing team for "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" for two years, and his awards include the Duplex's Stars of Tomorrow, the Backstage Bistro and the Funniest Gay Male in New York. He was also the author and star of the recent one man, GLAAD-nominated show Rhapsody in Seth.

Don't Tell Mama is located in New York City on West 46th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Call (212) 757-0788 for reservations.