Neon paint, dynamic drumming and Twinkies are just a few elements audience members can expect from the Blue Man Group’s first theatrical tour across the U.S.
The group recently began the second year of the tour and will perform at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans today through Feb. 5.
Bhurin Sead, Blue Man Group member since 2008, said this tour is unique because it has taken the group’s renewed sit-down performances and made them portable. Sead said previous, tours were similar to rock concerts and were mostly driven by the music.
“This tour is more about the character and the discovery of his space,” Sead said.
Sead said the Blue Man has an innocent quality about him and wants to make a connection with the audience. He said parts of the shows are scripted, but the audience interaction changes the dynamic of the performance on a nightly basis.
“One thing that I take away from the show and the character is the ability to be living in the moment and to be able to take risks,” Sead said.
The touring trio consists of four men who rotate performances. Sead said the fourth actor can take the night off or watch the show and see how the audience reacts.
Sead said one of his favorite skits is “Gumballs and Marshmallows,” where one member throws gumballs into a second member’s mouth and marshmallows into a third member’s mouth. The stakes are high during the skit because the Blue Man must catch something.
Another skit Sead enjoys is called “Feast.” The group brings an audience member up on stage to have dinner with them. Sead said the group tries to select a participant who might be a little shy and nervous but is game for anything.
“The audience totally gets behind them, but they’re still freaked out by being on stage with three bald and blue guys,” Sead said.
Sead said he sees the show as an active conversation between the audience and the Blue Men. He said laughter is a great way to gauge the group’s performance, but awkward moments can also be rewarding.
Despite the group’s humorous antics, they try to stay in character — a feat Sead called challenging.
“There are plenty of moments where I’m biting my lip or biting my tongue to keep from laughing,” Sead said.
He said the audition process to become a Blue Man consists of multiple parts, including acting and performing in full Blue Man costume. Since the group is known for its percussion skills, a drumming audition to gauge rhythm and timing is also included
“A lot of Blue Man acting is with your eyes,” Sead explained. “There are exercises we do to see if they can bring that to the table.”
Physically becoming a Blue Man is also a long process. Sead said a latex bald cap is attached at the hairline with surgical glue. Body parts visible from underneath the performers’ black pants and turtleneck are then covered in blue paint.
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Contact Haylie Navarre at [email protected]
Blue Man Group to perform in New Orleans on first US tour
January 30, 2012