Review: Blue Man Group Gets Creative With Sights & Sounds
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
For years the Blue Man Group has been a phenomenon. Until April 24, however, I hadn’t seen it. Then it came to the Ford Theatre at the Honeywell Center in Wabash and the creativity just blew my mind. The 1-1/2-hour show used every technique imaginable to stimulate your senses. There was a lot of musical noise for your ears. Video and sight gags for your eyes. Giant balls and other items thrown out into the audience for your hands. And it all started with three blue-painted men in the middle of the stage playing percussion on some drums. When paint was added, the paint jumped into the air as the drums were beat. Unlike “Stomp,” however, The Blue Man Group isn’t an all-percussion all-the-time show. It has visual jokes that will make you laugh. The expressions on the Blue Men’s faces are cartoonish like something you’d expect on Bugs Bunny. They don’t speak during the show, though there is voice from video occasionally. What I personally enjoyed the most, however, was the “Drumbone.” The best way to describe it may be that it’s a trombone made of piping that the threesome beat on like drums. There’s some YouTube video online of it you should really check out. My good friend who went with me to the show told me ahead of time to watch out for it and he was right. It’s just a really fun and creative part of the show. The BMG also is a very interactive show. They get people to be a part of the show. I, for example, ending up holding a candy bar in my hand until about 30 minutes into the show. Then two of the BMG came out into the audience looking for it. No one is forced to participate, of course, but how the audience reacts to the guys can alter the moment of the show. I love interactive shows like the Blue Man Group, especially when they’re done so well. To have seen the legendary performance so close made for a great night, and I would happily go back to see them again. Of course, the Honeywell Center show was sold out quickly, so if they return, get your tickets as fast as you can.
