BWW REVIEWS: THE BLUE MAN GROUP - You'll Laugh Until You're Blue in the Face

On an election night when red states seemed to be prominent, Maryland seemed to be a "Blue" state and what better way to celebrate than the production of the Off-Broadway hit  Blue Man Group beginning its short run at the Hippodrome Theatre.  I haven't seen the "Hipp" this packed for an opening night performance in a long time.

It is an evening that is a sheer delight full of unexpected  fun and laughter and deserves the standing ovation it gets at the end.

It's spontaneous, clever, musical, ingenious, hysterical, moving, visually stunning and audiences love it.

Almost everyone has heard of Blue Man Group. It started way back in 1988 when three young men, Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton, and Chris Wink who were street performers took on the persona of three bald men with no ears, and all painted blue. Why blue? According to the trio, "We just chose it, but our brains had probably intuitively  ruled a few colors out. For example, "Yellow Man" was an already successful reggae performer. Green wasn't good because it had become associated in pop culture with "Martians". Red was ruled right out thanks to the Devil. So what about orange? Too "clowny". Purple? The make-up doesn't come in that color."

The show still sells out in the tiny Astor Place Theatre in New York which has a capacity of only 300. I wasn't sure if it would work in the cavernous Hippodrome Theatre that holds almost 2,300. But it does. It also has sit-down shows in Boston, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando.

What makes the evening so incredible is that none of the performers say a word. It's all in their eyes and their expressions. Do you remember when Jack Benny would give that look with his arms folded? I know I'm dating myself here. But, that's the look that has the audience usually in stitches.

There are four musicians located high in the rear of the stage, two on each side. They provide the pulsating rhythms which move the evening forward.

They admit to being inspired by artist Jackson Pollack. You can catch a preview of their work at www.bluemangroup.com. If you want to be totally surprised, wait to watch the video after you've seen the show.

The evening begins with the clever use of graphics in which the audience is informed the show is about 90 minutes long without an intermission.  It then suggests "Go Pee Now!". This goes on for a about 10 minutes (to allow those who have to ...).

One of the many clever routines is the use of Captain Crunch cereal. They each the cereal to different sounds. Following this experience,  why not head  to the Blue Moon Cafe located at 1621 Aliceanna St. in Fells Point known for their Captain Crunch French Toast. I'm serious.  It's delicious!!The Cafe has also been featured on the Food Network. There's got to be a tie-in there somewhere.

There's a lot of spraying of liquids. That is why many in the first three rows are handed plastic raincoats.

There's also the required "volunteers" who help the evening. On opening night, the female volunteer was Margaret Daniel who hails from Houston, Texas but has lived in Baltimore over a year.  I asked her after the show, if she knew in advance she would be picked.  She stated she had no idea. She also knew very little about the show, had absolutely no theatrical experience  of any kind, and stated she was very nervous. She added the performers never uttered a single word to her. All of her actions were on her own or following the lead of the three actors.  There is one scene that totally shocked her (which I will not reveal) and luckily they provided her with a Polaroid photo as a souvenir. She found the experience really fun and thought the show was "fantastic". She felt like a celebrity after the show when she was asked in the lobby by patrons about her experience and whether it was planned in advance. Margaret's husband Jeff added, "It was "hilarious".

Following the show, head to the lobby where you can meet the performers and musicians for photos or autographs. You can even get "BLUED" like I did where they place a blue dot on your cheek.

The show only runs until Sunday, Nov. 7.  If you don't think you can make it to NYC, do not miss it. AND BRING THE KIDS!!!

If you can't make it by this week-end, the show will also be coming to Washington's Warner Theatre March 22 to April 3, 2011.

I can't wait for the IMAX 3-D film due in 2011.

Coming next to the Hippodrome is Rock of Ages running from Nov. 30-Dec. 5, 2010.

For tickets, call 410-547-7328 or visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photo Credit: (middle - Sarah Long and family and bottom -Denise Hill and Gina Boston) - Charles Shubow

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