While most may know Van Der Beek for his hit WB series and for his film work in "Varsity Blues" and "The Rules of Attraction," the Connecticut native is no stranger to the stage. After being sidelined by a football injury, a pre-teen Van Der Beek starred as Danny in a local community theatre production of Grease.

At age 16, he made his professional debut as Fergus in the New York premiere of Edward Albee's Finding the Sun at the Signature Theatre Company. Upon the cancellation of his successful series in 2003, he immediately returned to the Signature to star in Lanford Wilson's Rain Dance.

Van Der Beek took in the Tuesday evening performance of Avenue Q, heading backstage afterward to meet with members of the company, both human and felt.

The Tony Award-winning musical, which plays the John Golden Theatre on West 45th Street, will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Broadway on Thursday, July 31.

For more information visit www.avenueq.com. For tickets call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.

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Van Der Beek and Lucy smile for the cameras

Van Der Beek (center) and the cast of Avenue Q