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'Blue Man Group' like noisy circus
(by Herb Hammer - October 13, 2010)
THEATER, BY HERB HAMMER
'Blue Man Group' like noisy circus
You either love it or hate it, but somehow "Blue Man Group" has a following that has drawn throngs of people to theaters for over 20 years.
Playing through this Sunday at the Palace Theatre, this high-tech hour and a half of noisy insanity is nearly indescribable. There are parts that entertain and pieces, especially the noise, that may make you want to run up the aisle screaming.
Reviewers are the wrong people to suggest whether the reader should or should not see this show. This is a love-hate hour and a half that has thrilled crowds and has thumbed its nose at rejection.
Three men with what appear to be blue painted faces are virtually the entire show. The modern high-tech visuals, loud rock music and constant drumming always lead us back to them.
The show has changed considerably since Phil Stanton, Chris Wink and Matt Goldman put it together back in 1987. Though some of the sweet innocence remains, the computerized aspects have grown considerably.
Three blue-headed men still start out drumming their brains out while pouring liquids of various colors into their drums. The colors spray skyward.
Producers have left the part in where the three expressionless blue men guide an innocent young girl to the stage for a Twinkie party. This is the funniest scene of all.
Later, they pick out a young man from the audience, dress him in a jump suit and bring him backstage. After painting him blue and tying him by the feet, they lift him then smash him against a canvas, leaving a grotesque picture. This is shown to the audience by video. Whether or not this is really happening means little to the enthusiastic Palace Theatre audience.
A barely seen rock band is high above the stage, drumming away while the straight-faced blue men go about their stunts. Eventually, they put PVC plumbing pipes together and bang on them, creating various sounds. This stunt doesn't really work at all.
The fact is, much of the show has little going for it. Asking the audience to wave their arms and then demanding everyone stand up brings laughs and excitement. For me, this sort of thing is kinda silly. Others love this audience-participation business.
As huge balloons are released into the audience and hundreds of paper streamers are sent through to the back row, the show is ready to call it quits.
Flashing colored lights, constant drumming and three expressionless performers with curious personalities create the excitement.
But is this theater? I think not. "Blue Man Group" is more of a noisy circus. Like it or not, Mr. Goldman, Mr. Stanton and Mr. Wink have been able to pack houses wherever they go.
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