Rod

Rod

Rod is one of the main characters in the musical Avenue Q. He is a Bert-like character and an investment banker on Wall Street. He lives in the same apartment as Nicky. Rod is a closeted homosexual, but at the end of the musical, he comes out of the closet.

Songs

• What Do You Do With a B.A. In English / It Sucks To Be Me
• If You Were Gay
• The Internet is for Porn
• Fantasies Come True
• My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada
• For Now

Broadway and Off-Broadway Portrayers

• John Tartaglia
• Barrett Foa
• Howie Michael Smith
• Seth Rettberg
• Rob McClure
• Adam Kantor
• Jed Resnick
• Jeffrey David Sears
• Darren Bluestone
• Ben Durocher

West End Portrayers

• Jon Robyns
• Daniel Boys
• Paul Spicer
• Adam Pettigrew
• Sam Lupton
• Tom Steedon
• Sam Tutty
• Scott Folan
• Stewart Clarke

Notes

• In July 2011, the same day same-sex marriage was legalized in New York City, Rod and Ricky (handled by Howie Michael Smith and Jed Resnick, respectively) made history as the first same-sex puppet couple to wed. The ceremony was done at City Hall beneath a rainbow chuppah. Kate Monster (handled by Jennifer Barnhart) served as a flower girl.
• Rod is the second-most popular character after Kate Monster (in the fandom at least).
• According to Avenue Q: The Book, in the developmental stages of the show, Rod was originally named "Paul."
• Rod being gay is based on a popular joke/theory with the Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie, that being they are gay for each other. This was debunked by the official creators of Sesame Street, however.

Quotes

• Well, I am not a closeted homo-whatever!
• Sweet suffering Jesus! Nicky AND Ricky?! Ooh, my cup runneth over!
• (Referring to his gay "friend") He's an investment banker. . . and a Republican.
• Number one: I apologize for being so hot-headed and difficult.