Blue Man Group Teams Up With Autism Speaks For Fifth Annual Autism-Friendly Performance

The critically hailed Blue Man Group has teamed up with the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks, to announce their fifth annual collaborative performance Sunday, August 19 at 2 p.m. Slight modifications will be made to Blue Man Group's performance at Chicago's Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted), creating a sensory-friendly show that better accommodates individuals and families affected by autism.

"It's a remarkable experience to see families affected by autism having a unique and entertaining experience together." said Matt Seaver, Resident General Manager of Blue Man Group Chicago. "We're looking forward to our fifth year of this incredibly rewarding tradition with Autism Speaks."

The Briar Street Theatre lobby will be transformed into a calming environment for the August 19 performance complete with bean bags, dim lighting and quiet corners for anyone seeking a sensory break from the excitement of the show. Sound levels during the performance will be reduced at select moments and noise isolating headphones will be available for individuals upon request.

"We are grateful to Blue Man Group for their generous support over the years," said Mary Rios, Walk Director of the Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks. "Our partnership allows the families of our community to experience something that others may take for granted and provides them with an unforgettable experience."

Tickets to this performance are available for $49 (regularly $69-$99), with $5 from every ticket purchased donated to Autism Speaks. During the month of April, World Autism Awareness Month, Blue Man Group Chicago will collect post-show donations for Autism Speaks. For more information and tickets, visit www.blueman.com/autismspeaks.

About Blue Man Group

Blue Man Productions is a global entertainment company best known for the award-winning Blue Man Group show, performed in over 20 countries and seen by more than 35 million people worldwide since 1991. A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, the show's euphoric celebration of human connection has universal appeal for a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. The show is continually refreshed with new music, fresh stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology. Blue Man Group has permanent theatrical productions in New York, Las Vegas, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Berlin and a World Tour.

This creative collective has become part of the pop culture zeitgeist. Blue Man Group has served as the face of branding campaigns for Intel and TIM/Brasil and appeared countless times on hit shows like "The Tonight Show," "Arrested Development," "Ellen," "Schlag den Raab" (Germany), "WOWOW" (Japan), and "Caldeira?o do Huck" (Brasil).

Beyond the stage show, they are Grammy-nominated recording artists, known for their contributions to various film and TV scores and multiple Blue Man Group albums, including their most recent, THREE. Their "Megastar World Tour" rock concert parody played arenas across the globe. The group's recently published first-ever book, Blue Man World, is a visually stunning anthropological exploration of the curious bald and blue character.

About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders - autism spectrum disorders - caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. We empower people with autism and their families with resources, online tools and information covering the life span. Go to AutismSpeaks.org to learn more, donate or join a fundraising walk.