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Blue Man Group’s New Las Vegas Production, A Recap.

// November 3rd, 2012 // 1 Comment » // Joe's Blog

From the perspective of a fan of Blue Man Group that has been on this journey with the company, actors and performers for over twelve years now, and to accurately describe my feelings and emotions after seeing the brand new production is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Not only is the new show loaded with tons of new material, but the compositions and musical pieces have all been tweaked, redone or are brand new. So to better describe this new show for you, let’s start from the top, the pre-show and seating as you enter the theater.

Walking into the new Blue Man Group Theater, I immediately was whisked away by the music that was playing during seating. Never before have I heard such a surreal and enchanting piece of Blue Man style music, but added flare of new age and tribal highlights. I’m not even sure what the new seating music is called, but I fully understand why the previous used music “Dulcimer” is no longer part of the show, it just doesn’t fit the scale of this technological wonder of a production. I could literally close my eyes, and be taken away by the music itself, and then I noticed the walls moving. New HD projection technology, which is frequently seen in theme parks from Disney to Universal, is now a part of the pre-show spectacle. The side columns become animated, and part of the show itself, which is an awesome highlight and detail.

And then… As random of anything I’ve seen, floating eyeballs come out and float, move and hover over the audience. I’m not sure why eyeballs are chosen as the pre-show, but it’s surely awesome to look at as you scratch your head in amazement and wonder on how these things are moving. They also make distinct sounds to each other, two eyes floating together, one the smaller with a hip looking hat, the other appears to be the mother of the smaller one, with earrings nonetheless.

And then, it’s show time, lights dim and the music kicks in. The show itself is 85% all new material, with Big Scrim (now revised from NAT version to incorporate new Vegas PVC’s), Gumballs & Marshmallows, Gi-Pads, Modern Plumbing & Drumbone, Feast and the finale with the Zygotes the only core pieces from the newer 5th generation versions of the new standard venue shows. Gone are PVC IV (replaced with PVC V), Time to Start (No longer any Complex style songs in the productions), Klein (now called Biomorphic Klein), Franken-Switch and Chant Jam is now reworked to integrate the new smoke ring drums in a revised pre-finale chant jam.

I don’t wait to openly spoil the new bits, as that would mean I’d have to give away 85% of the new show to veteran fans and newcomers alike who are anxiously awaiting a chance to see it themselves, but look for crash course lessons in artificial intelligence, robotics, the inner workings of the human brain and the firing of neurons, and some of the wildest visuals any fan old or new, has ever seen from Blue Man Group to date. It’s polished with surround sound style audio, stunning visual LED light technology, cutting edge creations by the world renowned Michael Curry Design Studios, and new material that is sure to keep audiences coming back again and again.

So to put into words the new show, it’s quite the challenge, but here’s my best shot; surreal, ethereal, blissful, engaging, intriguing, mind blowing, eye candy, amazement, wonder, discovery, life force, inner child, magical, euphoric, mechanical, bio-morhpic, party, celebration of life, connection, wonder, reality and synergy are just some of the words that come to mind. After seeing this new show, I’m sure you’ll have your set of words to add, so I strongly encourage all the Blue Man Group fans to check out the new production at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino. Prepare to dive head first into the curious world of the blue man, and learn about yourself in the process.

Thanks for reading,
Insider Joe Burke
joeburke@blueman.com

Las Vegas Fan Meet – 10-27-12

// November 3rd, 2012 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

Blue Man Group Las Vegas Fan Meet – October 27th, 2012 – Part 1 from Joe Burke on Vimeo.

The fans gather once again this year in Las Vegas to join the fan meet activities of backstage tour, behind the scenes soundcheck with Q&A and so much more at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. Blue Man Group debuts their brand new theatrical show on the strip.

The Feeling – Perspective of A “Super Fan”

// August 6th, 2012 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

To those whom which have seen a Blue Man Group show, know there is a certain feeling that erupts from within our life force, a feeling almost as if our inner child has been set free to explore the world alongside the blue man. This ‘feeling’ isn’t something experienced in the normal day to day, and from an admirer’s perspective of Blue Man Group, can only be achieved while in the presence of a being that knows the ‘feeling’ and how to get one’s self there. Call it what you will; following your bliss, going up to the roof, inner peace, utopia, one thing is consistent across the board and that is Blue Man Group is the glue that not only binds us all as fans together, but helps in our journey to find that inner bliss.

I’ve been planning fan events for years, so the torch has been passed around many times when it comes to event planning and fan meets. Ohio native, and super fan, Jacob Dicke took on the role of organizer this year for the August 4th fan gathering in Chicago at the Briar Street Theatre. Planning and organizing these events is not an easy task, and often times ‘the feeling’ gets a little overshadowed by deadlines, finances, travel and just getting there on time to the actual gathering. The stage was set, airfare and travel plans are in order, and Blue Man Group fans from across nine different states converged on the 634 seat theater nestled on the corner of Halsted and Belmont.

The vibe outside the Briar Street Theatre the morning of the fan meet around 11:30AM was joyful, old friends reunite, new friends are introduced and the super fans were all smiles for the long day of activities ahead. The feeling began. Honestly, it’s a euphoric sensation that every negative influence in the world has a massive shadow cast upon, and all of our worries, fears and burdens just living life in the day to day, slowly… fade away. No more worries about bills, medical problems, relationship issues, family trouble, drama or any other negative entity and all of a sudden are whisked away and you find yourself amongst a group of people that aren’t strangers or friends, but family. Odd that I use that word family, but when one thinks about the love, joy and jubilee that embodies what it is to be a super fan, none of us are strangers. In fact, we’ve been doing this same thing for 12 years now, we have history, we have roots embedded in these events and we know all too well about ‘the feeling.’ So family is what we call this small collective group of super fans who’ve dedicated their lives, finances, energies and motivations towards the cause of seeing Blue Man Group shows, supporting our local venues, and introducing others to this amazing show. We are family. It was the moment I stepped around the corner of the theatre, and saw my beloved friends once again, that I no longer became an Insider, rather I put on the embodiment of a super fan, because that’s truly what we as Insiders are.

The beautiful thing about being a super fan and attending these events, is that we as a collective family body gather together to join in that blissful state of having the feeling together. Many times, the founders of Blue Man Group Chris Wink, Phil Stanton and Matt Goldman have referred to ‘the feeling’ as when we take off our masks that society has placed upon us and we join with the blue man on the roof tops, we are united together. The founders and company even promote the ‘follow your bliss’ statement to this day as a motto and statement to live by, that everyone, everywhere experiences the right and wrong of life, but taking off the persona masks that we project to others and just be ourselves is the first step to capturing ‘the feeling.’

August 4th in my mind breezed by like a wind, and ticked by so fast that my mind and body didn’t seem to notice. From the private behind the scenes Q&A with blue men actors, performers and staff, to the exclusive luncheon and mixer down the street at Parrot’s Bar & Grill, moments were captured in all of our minds that will last us a lifetime. We all experienced our own personal moments of bliss. The serene thing was that everyone got a little pat on the back, a warm embrace and a friendly conversation with some of their favorite performers and individuals that we envision as an almost role model type stature. Something I don’t even think the local house staff and crew comprehend is what exactly this show means to us. To them, it’s a job. To us, it’s bliss.

Hours ticked by like seconds, and after the deep dish Chicago pizza of Giordano’s, we all came together, sat down at 10PM and watched a show together, over 30 of us. It’s an awesome feeling knowing there are over 30 individuals in the crowd with you that have suffered, endured, overcame and triumphed over adversity that life often times hurls at us. Overcoming these obstacles, each one of us has our own story to tell, our own testimony to the impact Blue Man Group has made on our lives personally and how we’ve made a difference in others around us. You just don’t walk in the theater, sit down and expect immediately to see rainbows, unicorns and a warm fuzzy feeling, it’s something that with a little intuitive thought, will spark a lifetime of imagination. It’s at that moment, sitting in my seat, which ever city I am in, I get a warmth in my soul, the feeling. I know these people, I know the performers on stage, they know me, we’re family, we’re happy and we’re here to rock the night away, blue man style.

The Insiders definition of The Feeling;

The Feeling – adjective

1. The ability to radiate a contagious, vibrant and luminescent energy from within one’s own self after conclusively discovering the solemnity of our existence to the environments in which human beings dwell.
2. A conscious collective to embrace the life force.
3. Humility and perseverance through the most troubling times.

I may have the label as an Insider, but I always will be a fan… a super fan. To my extended family worldwide, see you soon!

Thanks,
Joe & Alexandra Burke

Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida Charity

// May 15th, 2012 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

The Blue Man Group Insiders Joe and Alexandra through the inspiration of their church and the generous fans of Blue Man Group planned to not only hold a silent auction for charity, but raise money privately for the organization “Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida” or HGFG. This is our story.

Blue Man Group Grand Re-Opening Celebration Part 1 (Chris Wink Interview)

// February 27th, 2012 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

The Insiders take you behind the scenes at the Sharp Aquos Theatre in Orlando Florida for an exclusive sneak peek at the grand re-opening celebration hosted by Universal Orlando Resort. We also catch up with Blue Man Group co-founder Chris Wink for some fan questions, and debut the new robotic character still in test mode for the Vegas show’s in-casino percussion processional.