PHOTO CALL: Regis and Kelly Get the Puppet Treatment From Avenue Q

By Morgan Allen
June 22, 2004

"Live with Regis and Kelly" welcomed the cast of Avenue Q June 21, kicking off the TV program's "Broadway Week," through June 25.

Showing up with surprise puppet versions of Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa (much like the furry counterparts of the show's producers seen at the Tony Awards), the cast ad-libbed for a bit and performed the song "I Wish I Could Go Back To College." The custom-built puppets, as well as the multitude of hand-driven characters in the Tony winning Best Musical, were built by designer Rick Lyon, who also portrays Nicky, Trekkie Monster, Bear, and others nightly at the Golden Theatre.

At left John Tartaglia does his best Regis, while Stephanie D'Abruzzo retorts as Kelly. Below, the cast laughs it up with the good-natured hosts.

Also slated to appear in the coming days are Donna Murphy performing "One Hundred Easy Ways" from Wonderful Town (June 22), Joey Fatone and Audrey II performing "Git It" from Little Shop of Horrors (June 23), a number from Caroline, or Change (June 24), and Bombay Dreams' crowd-pleaser "Shakalaka Baby" (June 25).