Merriam Theatre Welcomes BLUE MAN GROUP, 12/22-1/2

NETworks Presentations, LLC and Blue Man Productions are pleased to announce a new theatrical touring production will stop in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theater for a limited engagement beginning December 22, 2010 to January 2, 2011. The press opening is Wed. December 22 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets ranging from $25 to $85 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce streets. (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Merriam Theater box office (open during performances only). Groups of 10 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.  Performances include: Tuesday - Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8pm, except no evening performance on Friday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve); Sunday evenings at 6:30pm; and an additional evening performance on Monday, Dec. 27 at 7:30pm.  Weekend matinees are: Sunday, Dec. 26 at 1pm; Saturday, Jan. 1 at 2pm; and Sunday, Jan. 2 at 1pm. Weekday matinees are: Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday Dec. 21 at 2pm.  

Although Blue Man Group has toured previously with its Megastar arena rock show, this marks the first theatrical production to tour North America. The theatrical tour features classic Blue Man moments as well as brand new content.  Blue Man Group on tour also features a new physical design centering around a proscenium-sized LED curtain and high-resolution screen creating an entirely new visual experience for Broadway houses across the nation.

The critically acclaimed Blue Man Group creates experiences that defy categorization. Blue Man Group is best known for multi-media performances that feature three bald and blue characters who take the audience on a journey that is funny, intelligent and visually stunning. A live band, whose haunting tribal rhythms help drive the show to its climax, accompanies the  Blue Men.

"Until now, we have never mounted a touring version of our theatrical production," says Blue Man Group co-founder Philip Stanton. "The main reason for this is we needed to find a way to transform theatres of all shapes and sizes into spaces in which the Blue Man can intimately connect with the audience, where the audience can become engaged with the spirit of the show and of the Blue Man himself.  We think we have finally figured it out, and an audience member in a theatre that seats 4,500 people or so will now be able to enjoy the same intimate experience that might be had in one of our smaller theatres. Our goal with this production, as with all of our productions, is to help audience members reconnect with their own sense of discovery, with their own sense of what is possible in their lives."