Celebrate Avenue Q — Interview​ with Puppeteer Rick Lyon

Smithsonian Associates Art of Living Interview Series

The Not Old Better Show, 2019. Image: Smithsonian

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, I’m Paul Vogelzang and this is episode #345. As part of our Smithsonian Associates Interview Series, we are joined today by master puppeteer, Rick Lyon., below left.

Rick Lyon, master puppeteer. Photo by Walter McBride

In July 2003, a very different sort of musical opened on Broadway. Avenue Q. It wasn’t based on a blockbuster film or play or best-selling book, wasn’t compiled from popular songs, and it didn’t take place somewhere far away or long ago. It was entirely original, set in contemporary New York, and, perhaps most surprisingly, featured colorful puppets in its lead roles.