‘Blue Man Group’ – Created, Written and Directed by Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink. Lighting Design by Matthew McCarthy; Set Design by David Gallo; Video Design by Caryl Glaab. Presented by Blue Man Productions at The Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. Ongoing.
By Shelley A. Sackett
Blue Man Group is a global entertainment phenomenon known for its award-winning theatrical productions, unique characters and multiple creative explorations. With its all-new 2024 show at The Charles Playhouse, it has upped the ante on its high-energy production with new music, two new acts and a finale that feels like a Las Vegas New Year’s Eve celebration, complete with streamers, confetti and bubbles.
Yet, the show remains true to its core, despite the addition of many AI, A/V, and audience participation bells and whistles. Still a euphoric celebration of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication, the show features its signature magic of the three bald and blue men who explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks and reminding them how much they all have in common.
The music is infectious, with a great beat that dares the audience to sit still. This show is live and alive, tickling all the senses (especially the ears. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that it is LOUD. You might want to pack earplugs, especially for children).
It is also fun. When the blue men start tossing paintballs into each other’s mouths and spray painting it onto spinning canvases, the veteran attendees breathe a sigh of relief that that old standby routine made the renewal cut.
What hits and misses are the additional tips of the hat to Artificial Intelligence, the Internet, and our relentless and narcissistic obsession with self-documentation. Multi-screens are placed throughout the theater and a camera person shoots video that is broadcast in real-time. There are even ad spoofs for products like “Hope jolt nasal spray” to ease us through our existential crises.
When latecomers are featured on the big screen and called out over the loudspeakers, the gestalt of the experience shifts from funky quirkiness to late-night talk show gimmickry. The same for the segments with audience members, who are solicited and vetted before the show. Some are invited onto the stage to participate in distracting, second-rate skits. One even volunteered to have a camera snake down his throat so he could share his esophageal sphincter with the rest of the audience. On the big screen. In pulsating color.
Yet enough of the original magic and charm remains to satisfy Blue Man Group traditionalists. The modern plumbing musical set, Cap’n Crunch cereal routine, and paint-infused drumming are real crowd-pleasers. Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, and when that lineage shines through, the show’s underlying charisma does too.
The show remains a family-friendly party with enough content that is over kids’ heads to keep the adults engaged and enough silliness and jaw-dropping effects to keep the kids enchanted. With its excellent music and iconic, charismatic blue men, it is an excellent respite from the dreary onslaught that passes for news and the prospect of 4 p.m. sunsets to come. For information and tickets, go to www.blueman.com
