PHOTO CALL: Broadway Puppets Get in the Debate Spirit with Special "Avenue Q and A" in Times Square

By Morgan Allen
30 Sep 2004

From Top: The Q and A booth, Robert Lopez (left) and Jeff Marx
From Top: The Q and A booth, Robert Lopez (left) and Jeff Marx

Tony-winning Best Musical Avenue Q, in continuing with the election year theme that helped them campaign for the Tony, hosted a "debate" between the candidates in Times Square on Sept. 30.

Rod, the closeted Republican homosexual played by John Tartaglia at the Golden Theatre, moderated the event which went on as planned despite a brief downpour.

At left is the view of the event from Times Square, as well as Avenue Q composer/lyricists Robet Lopez and Jeff Marx. Below, Sen. Kerry and President Bush square off in a heated exchange, aided by Jennifer Barnhart and Rick Lyon.

The actual first debate of the election season takes place Sept. 30 at 9 PM ET from Miami.

Photos are by Ernio Hernandez