BLUE MAN GROUP To Make First-Ever Performance in Manila, 9/14-25

By Jared Echevarria

Manila, Philippines--A show that has captivated more than 35 million audiences worldwide, across 15 countries, finally comes to Manila in a color that made its main performers the most recognizable bald trio on stage: BLUE! BLUE MAN GROUP, a performance art company that won numerous accolades including an Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, and a Grammy nomination for its debut album, "Audio," will surely give its first-ever predominantly Filipino audiences a great time enjoying its unique and percussion-filled non-verbal entertainment.

Following its performances in New Zealand from May 24 to July 3, BLUE MAN GROUP will play The Theatre at Solaire (Solaire Resort and Casino, Entertainment City, Paranaque City) from September 14 to 25. Tickets are available at TicketWorld.com.ph.

Tagged as a combination of comedy, theater, rock concert, and dance party, BLUE MAN GROUP in Manila has been a long-awaited event since its inception 25 years ago by three close friends Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton. BLUE MAN GROUP started out small on the streets of New York City until pocket productions were presented at downtown clubs, which finally spawned a full-length show at Astor Place Theatre in the NoHo district of Manhattan.

With concurrent shows in Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, New York City, touring companies across the United States and the world, this "blue phenomenon" has been thrilling many theatergoers who were wishing for something different and an exciting night at the theatre. This 90-minute extravaganza is packed with all the elements of a good show, including humor and art, which ensure audiences both young and old to enjoy every performance.

When asked about the inspiration and choice of the color "blue" as the Blue Men's signature dye, Michael Rahhal, the show's director, said, "All colors have an emotional quality attached to each of them. For us, the color 'blue' has no baggage. Blue is the color of the sky, of the ocean. It is serene and has neutrality, which makes it one of the most expressive colors that takes on the emotional quality of the performers on stage."

Mr. Rahhal further describes the show as filled with exuberance and a group experience for the audiences. The show also reinvigorates everyone's "child-like sense of wonder" and the capacity to be surprised. The concept of the performance is to bring about the selfless enjoyment that fills the theatre with laughter that is shared by everyone, In doing so, people would feel that they are all part or have a part of the Blue Man inside of them. Since this is a non-verbal entertainment, people would have limitless ways and experiences in enjoying the show.

On the Blue Men costume, Mr. Rahhal, who is also a Blue Man himself, shares at first he felt uncomfortable because of the latex makeup, including the prosthetics, took several hours to put on. But doing it almost every day made him more attached to it, which now feels second to nature, just like with the other Blue Men.

When it comes to the show's content, Mr. Rahhal says it changes from time to time depending on the country or place they visit so that audiences would have different ways of having a good time at BLUE MAN GROUP.

Photos: Oliver Oliveros

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