VIDEO: BLUE MAN GROUP World Tour Meets the Press in Manila

World-renowned performance company BLUE MAN GROUP's 25th-anniversary celebrations are on a roll! Besides its open-ended engagements in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and at the Universal Orlando Resort, BLUE MAN GROUP has also just launched its newest studio album, titled "Three"; has been raising at least $25,000 for Autism Speaks via its special sensory-friendly shows, and is set to launch a new book about the unknown world of the Blue Man by the end of the year.

And to top it off, BLUE MAN GROUP is now off to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch in New Zealand (May 24-July 3) for its first-ever world tour, which will also make stops in Manila, Philippines (Sept. 14-25) and Shanghai, China (Nov. 16-Dec.4).

At a press launch in Manila held last week, Michael Rahhal, BLUE MAN GROUP World Tour director, and a Blue Man himself, said, "For us, this show is all about exuberance. It's all about creating a group experience for an audience."

He continued, "In our lives, especially now with social media and personal vices, we're more separate than ever. On the train, I'm alone looking at my phone; at my office, I'm in my cubicle. What we're trying to creating over the course of the show is an opportunity for an audience--strangers--to come together and ultimately have an experience together and leave maybe feeling just a little bit connected to the person next to them, or to the world, in general, or to themselves."

BLUE MAN GROUP's 90-minute immersive theatrical experience, which caters to a wide range of demographics (it's kid friendly!), is comedy, theater, rock concert, and a private party all rolled into one. It features the group's own brand of techno-tribal music, custom musical instruments such as PVC pipes, state-of-the-art visual effects, euphoric dance moves, 30 liters of paint, mostly in primary colors, and 55 mashed bananas.

Born of the creative urge to explore the unknown by its creators and the original Blue Men Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton, 1991 Obie Award winner and Grammy nominee BLUE MAN GROUP has been performed 3,600 times every year and seen by over 35 million people in 15 countries.

For its world tour, Blue Men Meridian (also the BLUE MAN GROUP's captain), Barney Haas, Thom Rackett, and Joe Woolmer are accompanied by band members Antonio Aguirre (strings, also the resident musical director), Olaf Grote (strings), Gerhard Schmitt (strings), Jeff Tortora (percussion), Luke Sangerman (percussion), and Randy Wooten (percussion).

For show tickets in New Zealand, the Philippines, and China, visit BlueMan.com.

Main Photo: Lindsey Best

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