So Long Daniel Boys!
Published on Friday 22nd January, 4.03pm, Written by Carrie Dunn
While we all celebrate the news that Avenue Q will live on in the West End, with a switch to the Wyndham’s, let us not forget that this is also a very dark time in the show’s history.
Because Daniel Boys is leaving.
And, as the Bad Idea Bears so correctly say, “this makes me sad.”
Playing dual puppet characters isn’t an easy task; certainly, it’s much harder than swishing around in a technicolour dreamcoat and looking pretty in a loincloth. And though Boys would most definitely have been able to do that, it’s been a joy to see his voice develop along with his natural comedy timing and his ability to keep the audience compelled at all times.
It’s not every actor who’d be able to make me cry when he voices the loneliness and despair of a blue-skinned, closeted-Republican investment banker, but every time Boys’ Rod wails, “I miss Nicky!” I shed a tear. And his Princeton isn’t as naive and selfish as one might infer from the script; he’s a credibly stupid young twentysomething feeling lost in the world, even if he is a puppet.
And if that wasn’t enough, he continues to make a name for himself as a solo artist, bringing out his own self-funded album last year in order to evade artistic constraints, and joining John Barrowman on tour as a guest. All fans of musical theatre and Avenue Q should join together and acknowledge Daniel Boys’s wonderful work in Avenue Q over the past two years. And though it’s sad to see him move off the street for the time being, remember – it’s surely only for now.
Thanks, Daniel!
I’m sad to see him leaving (although I am going to his final show, because how could I not!) but I am looking forward to seeing where the future takes him. He’s been absolutely amazing in Avenue Q, and I’m sure he’s going to be amazing in something else before we know it!
I’m also really sad that he’s leaving but I know he’ll go on to bigger and better things. I’m glad I got to see him twice on the Avenue. I wish him all the best for a very successful future.
I agree with everything! Looking forward to seeing what he will be doing next.
Daniel has been fantastic in Ave Q. I’ve been to see the show 3 times and each time I’ve come away thinking it was the best performance yet!
I’ve also seen him in the off West End production of I Love You Because and he was just as brilliant it that as he is on the Avenue.
I wish Daniel every success in his next project and he can rest assured that his many loyal fans will be right behind him, whatever he does.
Saw him 4 times on stage, he was always much more, than amazing…
I’ll fly to the UK (from Hungary) just because of his last performance…
I hope we’ll be able to see him on stage again as soon as it’s possible.
Gutted Daniel’s leaving; there could never be another Rod to rival him – as the article stated, he made Rod’s life heartbreaking to watch, and yet – so many funny moments. However, looking forward to what comes next…
I will really miss seeing Daniel in Avenue Q – he was absolutely brilliant. I’ve been to see it twice already and really enjoyed them.
Good luck Daniel in the future.
Such an amazing young man. Loved him in Ave Q and the album is amazing. Added to that, he is genuinely lovely at the stage door. Super young man who deserves even greater success.