November 10, 2001 … It’s Saturday night in Las Vegas. I just walked out of the Blue Man Group show at the Luxor. I have no idea how to describe it.
Let’s just say I’m all out of weird.
I’ve been interested in Blue Man Group for years. I’ve watched them perform countless times on The Tonight Show. I’ve been listening to their audio CD for months. I even built my own PVC pipe percussion instrument. But these are only small glimpses into the entire experience of what Blue Man Group offers.
I’m not even going to try and describe the show. It’s almost impossible.
I’m not even sure I saw the whole show. Blue Man Group uses multiple video screens, lighting effects, water-tornado tubes, a cadre of percussionists and rolls of paper.
Yes … you heard me … rolls of paper.
No, I won’t tell you why. Like I said, I’m not even going to try to describe it.
One of the most unexpected aspects of the show were the signs. Blue Man Group’s audience participation involves a series of signs … some static, some moving. You have to actively think when you’re watching the show. You experience the show rather than watching it.
If you see the show, the following scenario will pop-up more than once: three signs will appear on stage, you are asked to pick one. As the sign you watch changes, you feel compelled to read the other two. Of course, the other two signs are presenting a different set of information … so you really can’t read keep up with all three.
But you try.
After the third sign, you realize that the other signs are mocking each other … and insert information for people trying to bounce between the signs (“Have you stayed faithful to your sign?”). It’s an odd attempt to play with the audience’s mind, like many parts of the show.
They’re mimes on crack.
Blue Man Group isn’t just about drumming on plumbing. It’s a real artistic show, presented by a group of anonymous tricksters who have as much comic timing as they do rhythmic timing. Even if I had video taped the show, I don’t think it would have been the same as being there.
Leave a Reply