For Now: Bush and Kerry Debate in Times Square Courtesy of Broadway's Avenue Q

By Ernio Hernandez
September 27, 2004

Presidential candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry will meet for the first debate on the evening of Sept. 30, but Broadway's Tony Award winner Avenue Q will offer New York City a chance to witness a heart-"felt" debate with Presidents, people and puppets earlier that day.

In a free event open to the public, Avenue Q will present their version of the political dialogue, Sept. 30 at 1 PM in Times Square's Duffy Square on 46th Street and Broadway.

The event — which heeds the warning "Please Note - Any similarity between puppets and actual Presidential candidates is purely coincidental" — will feature the candidates singing. The presentation also promises free popcorn, cotton candy, balloons, hands will be shaken and babies will be kissed.

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Avenue Q sends up popular children's television shows such as "Sesame Street" and "The Electric Company," while serving up a bounty of pop culture references and solving the mystery of the whereabouts of former "Diff'rent Strokes" child star Gary Coleman. The production bears the warning: "Full puppet nudity, not suitable for children."

The show's creators Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx earned a Tony for their score as did bookwriter Jeff Whitty and the musical itself garnered the top Best Musical prize at the 2004 Tony Awards.

The show launched its own campaign — complete with buttons, posterboards, and a red-white-and-blue-ribboned marquee facade — prior to the Tony Awards, urging voters to "Vote Your Heart" and "Don't Suck, Vote Q." (To view photos, click here.)

Avenue Q plays at the Golden Theatre, 252 West 45 Street. For more information on the show and event, visit www.avenueq.com.