Avenue Q & A Political Rally

OBJECTIVE:
Produce an event in Times Square to capitalize on the political nature of Avenue Q's advertising campaign and the upcoming Presidential election, to garner media coverage, and to re-ignite the brand awareness of Avenue Q as a Broadway destination.

ELEMENTS:
The Tony Award-winning authors of Avenue Q developed a scripted 20-minute bi-partisan presidential debate featuring songs and characters from the show as well as puppets themed after George W. Bush and John Kerry.  Hosted on the day of the first Presidential debate in Duffy Square (just south of the TKTS booth in Times Square), the event captured the attention of not only hundreds of onlookers, but also press outlets from around the world.   Allied Live produced the event from start to finish, including working with the City of New York, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and the Times Square Alliance to gain all necessary permits and approvals, as well as staging companies and decorators. 

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS:
Seen as a "human interest" story that made light of that eveni ng's Presidential debate, the event gained numerous press mentions in New York as well as accross the world in both theatrical and mainstream outlets.  The puppets of Avenue Q and the Bush and Kerry puppets were featured on ABC's Good Morning America and CNN the morning of the event.