Review: THE BLUE MAN GROUP ON TOUR at The Kennedy Center

An out-of-this-world experience comes to D.C.

Review: SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

A voice rings through the rapid drum percussion: "70% of you came to watch something dangerous." The Blue Man Group are dare devils of experimental art and they certainly know what their fans are interested in. They know we want to experience the quirky antics of The Drumbone and get wet by paint in the Splash Zone. We desire to explore the world of the Blue Men because it's an exhilarating rush of joy and an escape from the outside world.

Even if you have never been to a Blue Man Group show, you might be familiar with them. There are multiple Blue Man Groups worldwide; the most well-known one has a residency is Las Vegas. As part of this year's tour, The Blue Man Group, featuring Meridian, Mike Brown, Steven Wendt, and Adam Zuick, stops at the Kennedy Center with a speculator new show with some old thrills and new tricks.

The Blue Man Group's world is full of energetic musical numbers, which is amplified by a futuristic set of TV monitors and screens displaying sound waves, designed by Jason Ardizzone-West. This is a high-tech production with beautifully designed lighting by Jen Schriever and SFX design by Bill Swartz. In contrast to its futuristic atmosphere, there are subtle hints of nostalgia like a TV showing Pong or images of the Space Race throughout the show. Musical interludes highlight percussion that is out of this world. The show's epic backing band, led by band captain Corky Gainsford, features Chris Reiss on the strings and drummer Chris Schultz grooving along with The Blue Men. The ambient sounds are just as delightful as the hypnotic drum beats, especially the sounds resonating from a reel-like stringed instrument.

Along with some new music, there is no shortage of creative skits, and everyone is in for a good time. Kids love the zaniness and adults relish the aesthetic. Audience participation is a huge part of The Blue Man Group and this new show's format keeps the immersive experience that both new fans will love and dedicated fans expect. There are still marshmallows, PVC pipes, and lots of paint. The Blue Man Group does not say a word during the show, but as always, they make connections with their audience through humor and art. With this show, it is difficult to pinpoint specific audience favorites because there are so many moments of laughter and just pure joy. Let's just say that they involve rocking rubber chickens, an audience mixtape, and a spontaneous wedding.

Whether you have seen The Blue Man Group before or are going for the first time, you don't want to miss out on this otherworldly experience.

Run Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes with no intermission.

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The Blue Man Group On Tour runs until July 31, 2022 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.. A sensory-friendly performance is scheduled for July 28, 2022. Click Here.




RELATED STORIES

Review: GOOD GRIEF: SONGS OF THE MOON AND THE UNBROKEN CIRCLE at Kennedy Center

In Good Grief: Songs of the Moon and The Unbroken Circle creator Tariq Darrell O’Meally explores how we become more than what we’ve lost. His answer: we must grieve a person as much as we have loved them and balance loss with praise and celebration. The world premiere is the culmination of the 2022–23 Local Dance Commissioning Project.

Studio Theatre Announces Cast of FUN HOME

Studio Theatre has announced the cast of their production of Fun Home, with performances starting June 28. The musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, is based on the autobiographical graphic novel of the same name by cartoonist and writer Alison Bechdel.

Review: THE CRUCIBLE at Eisenhower Theater

What did our critic think of THE CRUCIBLE at Eisenhower Theater? Choreographer Helen Pickett does in her ballet The Crucible just exactly what Arthur Miller attempted in his 1953 play, her source. Both try to make a new language to express the Salem witch trials of 1692 because those events were too extraordinary for regular English or garden-variety ballet.

Review: SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre

What did our critic think of SWEENEY TODD at Signature Theatre? Set in the dark streets of London in 1785, we follow barber Sweeney Todd (Nathaniel Stampley) as he returns from wrongful imprisonment by the horrifying Judge Turpin (John Leslie Wolf).


From This Author - Hannah Wing

Hannah Wing has an extensive background in editing and publishing. She has held positions ranging from literary magazine editor to web content manager. She has always had a soft spot for theatre and i... (read more about this author)

Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Sondheim Tribute Revue
Congregation Har Shalom (6/04-6/04)Tracker
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# NSO: Dispatch
Filene Center at Wolf Trap (7/21-7/21)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Dissonance
The Essential Theatre (5/30-6/11)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Findind Neil Patrick Harris
Nu Sass Productions (4/14-6/09)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Hadestown
The National Theatre (6/06-6/18)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Exclusion
Kreeger Theater (5/05-6/25)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Three by Yeats
Scena Theatre (5/11-6/04)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Shear Madness
Kennedy Center (10/04-10/01)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Nate the Great
Imagination Stage (6/21-8/11)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki
Wolf Trap (7/14-7/15)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You