#1
Posted: 6/7/05 at 12:08pm
As mentioned here on BroadwayWorld, Rick Lyon will be exiting from Avenue Q on July 3rd. https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=3511
As I’m sure most Q fans and Q~tips know, Mr. Lyon was THE original cast member of Avenue Q. He designed and constructed the puppet characters we have come to love and has been with the show for almost five years.
I went to see a Q matinee on September 11th of last year. Being the little Q~tip I am, I waited at the stagedoor to thank the cast for another fantastic show. When Mr. Lyon came out, I not only thanked him for a great performance, but also for responding to my fan letter I sent him via e-mail. (I’d also like to mention that the man responded within the DAY I sent it!) He looked right at me and said “Why didn’t you say you were ________?!” The shock of him knowing my name based on the letter I sent was meet by even more shock with the next question: “Do you want to go backstage?”
I have to say that the best part about being invited backstage was not meeting John Tartaglia and having a private one-on-one conversation with him. It was not being able to see the puppets on their racks and asking Mr. Lyon questions on their development from the first workshops to their current Broadway versions. It was not even being taken onstage of the Golden Theatre, standing on Broadway for 2 minutes, when it has been my dream since I was 7 years old to be on Broadway.
The very best part of going backstage of Avenue Q was being taken to the dressing rooms and seeing my fan mail tacked on the walls and my fan art taped on their mirrors. It took every ounce of strength I had in me not cry at the time, although I must admit I still get teary when I think about it.
When my little VIP tour was done, I just gave Mr. Lyon a hug. There aren’t words worthy enough to thank this incredible man who gave this little girl from Florida the best day of her life. My only regret is that I cannot be there on July 3rd to thank him for not only what he did for me that one day, but for the joy that Q has given me and continues to bring me everyday.
Farewell Mr. Lyon and thank you
As I’m sure most Q fans and Q~tips know, Mr. Lyon was THE original cast member of Avenue Q. He designed and constructed the puppet characters we have come to love and has been with the show for almost five years.
I went to see a Q matinee on September 11th of last year. Being the little Q~tip I am, I waited at the stagedoor to thank the cast for another fantastic show. When Mr. Lyon came out, I not only thanked him for a great performance, but also for responding to my fan letter I sent him via e-mail. (I’d also like to mention that the man responded within the DAY I sent it!) He looked right at me and said “Why didn’t you say you were ________?!” The shock of him knowing my name based on the letter I sent was meet by even more shock with the next question: “Do you want to go backstage?”
I have to say that the best part about being invited backstage was not meeting John Tartaglia and having a private one-on-one conversation with him. It was not being able to see the puppets on their racks and asking Mr. Lyon questions on their development from the first workshops to their current Broadway versions. It was not even being taken onstage of the Golden Theatre, standing on Broadway for 2 minutes, when it has been my dream since I was 7 years old to be on Broadway.
The very best part of going backstage of Avenue Q was being taken to the dressing rooms and seeing my fan mail tacked on the walls and my fan art taped on their mirrors. It took every ounce of strength I had in me not cry at the time, although I must admit I still get teary when I think about it.
When my little VIP tour was done, I just gave Mr. Lyon a hug. There aren’t words worthy enough to thank this incredible man who gave this little girl from Florida the best day of her life. My only regret is that I cannot be there on July 3rd to thank him for not only what he did for me that one day, but for the joy that Q has given me and continues to bring me everyday.
Farewell Mr. Lyon and thank you
