Blue Man Group

Kris was able to score free tickets, so he and I went to the Charles Playhouse last night to see Blue Man Group. I’d seen the computer commercials so I knew the “group” consisted of 3 men and the “blue” was the color of their heads/faces. My brother saw them in DC, and from what he described – banging on drums and pipes – sounded like a take on Stomp. Still, I was excited about seeing the (free!) show.

Our seats were in the balcony, on the far left side. As we made our way to our seats, the staff was handing out bits of crepe paper. We were instructed to “wear” the ribbon. Most were making a headband out of the crepe paper. I placed my ribbon under my hair and tied a bow at the top of my head. Kris decided not to conform.

As we waited for the start of the show, words started appearing on a huge LCD panel over the stage. Using audience member names, we thanked those who won the Pulitzer Prize or completed the Human Genome Project. We were directed to speak out for another audience member who was not particularly remarkable. The LCD panel also informed us of particular guests experiencing a headache or a birthday.

The stage went dark and the Blue Man Group began playing the drums. This picture doesn’t do the experience justice. It was an outstandingly visually brilliant number. I was awed. The next skit was a one upmanship game of paint spitting. (Yes, spitting.) This morphed into a gross skit of throwing gumballs or marshmallows across the stage for one Blue Man to catch in his mouth. Just when you thought his mouth couldn’t hold another marshmallow, one more was thrown at him. He leaned over a board and “upchucked” the unchewed but dissolved marshmallows. He was very proud of the high white tower of “art”. They then brought out a piece of PVC pipe and began to play with the different sounds. The skit ended with a full stage orchestra of neon colored pipes in all shapes and sizes.

The Blue Man Group then came off the stage and climbed over the audience (yes, climbed) in search of two volunteers. I was very glad to be seated in the balcony. A girl (not the one in the picture) joined them in a Twinkie-eating skit full of gags involving a fire extinguisher, a jig saw, and a shop vacuum. This skit also featured the ingestion of a cheese-in-a-spraycan like substance shooting from the chest of one of the other Blue Men. This skit was also gross, but quite an interesting experiment in social behaviour. I was fascinated. The male volunteer was taken offstage to be hung by his feet, smeared with blue paint, and flung against a large canvas.

In another skit, we learned that rock is now all about Choreographed Dance Moves. We had to stand and do pelvic swivels, hand pumping, etc. Kris again decided against participating. I warned him and we were both terrified when one of the Blue Men came up to the balcony. I held my breath as he looked right at me. Thankfully he wasn’t looking for another volunteer.

My absolute favorite part of the show was the finale. Omigod! I won’t spoil it for you, but it involves strobe lights, dangling and twisting colored pipes, very loud techno music, and lots and lots (and lots) of toilet paper. Kris did participate in the finale.

The Blue Man Group was absolutely amazing. Their deadpan expressions were hysterical and their childlike wonder was refreshing. Their energy was palpable and infectious. I can’t remember a time when I’ve had that much fun. You have got to see this show. You will not be disappointed, even if you have to pay for tickets!