Photo Coverage: BLUE MAN GROUP Finally Arrives in Manila Along With Odd Musical Instruments, Inflatable Balloons

Part of its 25th-Anniversary World Tour, BLUE MAN GROUP, the world famous trio of bald, blue-skinned, and tight-lipped performing artists, brings on the fun (and food!) at the Theater at Solaire in Paranaque City, Philippines from tomorrow, September 14, until Sunday, September 25.

Manila, Philippines--Together with telecom giant Globe Telecom, Blue Man Productions Ltd., Lunchbox Productions Ltd., and Concertus Manila bring BLUE MAN GROUP to Manila.

BLUE MAN GROUP, a 90-minute immersive theatrical experience, which caters to a wide range of demographics, is comedy, theater, rock concert, and private party all rolled into one. It features the group's own brand of techno-tribal music, custom-made musical instruments such as PVC pipes, state-of-the-art visual effects, euphoric dance moves, childlike sense of humor, 30 liters of primary color paint, inflatable balloons, 32 pounds of Jell-O, 8 boxes of Cap'n Crunch cereal, 96 pieces of white chocolate Toblerone, 240 marshmallows, 40 boxes of Twinkie Lights, and nine cakes of "Blue Man Blue" greasepaint makeup specially made for the show's three lead stars.

The group's 25th-anniversary world tour premiered in Singapore last March and has already made stops in New Zealand and Macau.

Born of the creative urge to explore the unknown by its creators and the original Blue Men Chris Wink, Matt Goldman, and Phil Stanton, BLUE MAN GROUP has been performed 3,600 times every year and seen by over 35 million people in 15 countries. In 1991, the show 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. To date, it also has concurrent open-ended productions in Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Chicago.

So which parts of the show changed over the past 25 years?

"Generally, we've retained the parts that involve paints, drums, and the PVC pipe instruments-- people never get tired of that; they still seem to express something so universal," Stanton told BroadwayWorld.com in Singapore. "However, everything that had to do with digital technology, which is such a big part of this show now, has to keep up with the times."

"The show also remains true to is its 'We' statement on the value of group collaboration. Having three Blue Men on stage is the smallest number you can have and still be called a group," Stanton added.

Besides its 25th-anniversary world tour, BLUE MAN GROUP has also 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.

In Manila, 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).

Michael Rahhal directs the show.

BLUE MAN GROUP plays The Theater at Solaire September 14 to 25, every 8 p.m, Tuesday to Friday; 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday to Sunday. For tickets (P 1,018.90 to P 5,852), visit TicketWorld.com.ph.

Students get 15% off on tickets. Globe customers also get 20% off on tickets; access the Exclusive Perks section in the Globe Rewards app and present the BLUE MAN GROUP digital badge at any TicketWorld outlet.

Photos: Oliver Oliveros

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