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October, 2006
 
What’s Not Red or White but Blue All Over?
The BMG Are About to Answer that Question at a City Near You by Rex Rutkowski They want to change our perception of what art is supposed to be. Having stated their intent, the Blue Man Group (BMG) then stage a pleasant assault on our senses to do exactly that. And this time, they are doing it in mega fashion. The new Blue Man Group – How to Be a Megastar 2.0 finds these most inquisitive and most unique entertainers going to an entirely new level to accomplish their mission. Stepping on, and perhaps over, the sacred ground of the boys from the rock spoof film %Spinal Tap%, they are taking on one of pop culture’s hallowed icons: the arena rock concert. The trio, with their tongues firmly planted in their adorable cobalt blue cheeks, is "honoring" the rules, rituals and, dare we admit it, infectious excitement of this primal communal experience. You have to be there to believe it. And you can be, as the Blue Man Group (BMG) embarks on an ambitious national tour. For details, log on to www.blueman.com. What will you see? The folks behind the group say the experience can’t be compared to any other attraction. Blue Man Wes Day says that’s because they have performed in so many mediums. For example: "It was a big honor for us to have been nominated for a Grammy. It gave our music much more credibility and opened doors to other music projects," he explains. In one sense, the Blue Man Group live is a rock concert, with an emphasis on percussion. It’s also a showcase of magic and illusion, with a critique of modern technology and information overload. "When someone watches our show, you can see them have ideas in their head going off," says Day. "It really taps into people’s imagination. Because the audience is left without a context of where the Blue Men come from and why are they here, you must use your imagination and create some context for yourself. Everyone’s story will be different, and the audience usually walks away excited to express their take on what they’ve experienced." How To Be A Megastar Tour 2.0 finds the group joined by an eight-piece band, powered by state-of-the-art concert technology, for a head-bobbing and fist-pumping excursion. Its creators hail it as a uniquely clever interactive show that, regardless of musical tastes, delivers "hypnotic entertainment for all ages." There’s a definite satirical slant, Day says. They are taking the audience through a workshop that is a study on how to create a rock concert experience. "Throughout the process, we celebrate, skew and otherwise deconstruct rock stardom in all of its narcissistic glory," he says. The idea of the Blue Man being a megastar is ironic and not meant to be taken seriously, he adds. "We are more in a sense learning along with the audience how to create a huge rock show by following the simple instructions of a ‘how to’ manual that we have ordered off a pithy infomercial." There are vocals for this tour. Musician Tracy Bonham, who opens the shows, also sings and plays violin in the band. Peter Moore is the male vocalist. Musical ability is a requirement to be a Blue Man. "If you want to audition to be a Blue Man, you need the ability to rock out on the drums," says Day. "Drumming experience is necessary; not hand percussion, no offense to the djembe [drum] players out there." There is a definite rock concert vibe to a Blue Man show. "That is one of the qualities that certainly separates us from other shows," he adds. "Mobcaster" technology is being introduced to allow the audience to receive individual text messages before and during the show. "At any major rock concert experience, the cell phone seems to have replaced the cigarette lighter in being held up during certain songs. We’re also poking fun at that," Day says. The Blue Man is social explorer, he suggests. "The Blue Man character, in his exploration, presents a definite social commentary. We will examine how technology can keep us from our primal and civilized urges. We also like to explore how we can use it to enhance those urges and feelings," he explains. Day acknowledges that arena rock has become a pop culture marker of sorts for so many people who grew up during that era of rock and may have those feelings of nostalgia. "There are just so many standard rock concert trademarks that have developed over the years," he says. "The original pioneers of arena rock have become legendary through the urban myth chain, and it’s created a need for people to come together to celebrate the arena rock venue." |