Sunday, October 28, 2012
Blue Man Group adds new material, including Showbot character
Entertainment / Neon - ReviewJournal.com: You have your new toys, but the Blue Man Group does too. Just don't expect Smoke Drums or a Neuronulum to fit in your pocket.
Phil Stanton, a Blue Man founder and one of its three original performers, admits to phone separation anxiety like the rest of us. He doesn't just have to have it on his person: "I realize how much I actually have it in my hand."
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I think it is interesting how even the Blue Men Group find it important to evolve and incorporate new technology into their act. I worked for a woman who was one of the PR people for the Blue men group in NYC. So when I see articles like this one I think about what a leg up they have in publicity for the show. It would be easy for the group to become predictable, even though their routines are exciting. It is important to always keep the audience on their feet, and a great way to do that is to constantly stay in touch with the latest technology.
It's good to see that this show is attempting to evolve in order to remain relevant to current audiences. I have seen the show once a few years ago, and I very much enjoyed the eclectic nature of it. If these changes really are as large as they sound, with correct marketing this could bring people who have already seen the show back once more. It's a good thing to see a show not be pleased with its success and remain stagnant, and rather take a risk with a new idea.
The BMG was an awesome show both times I have seen it, in Chicago and Toronto. Seeing it from Toronto and then in Chicago there were changes that were implemented but still had the same feel of the classic BMG. It would be interesting to see how the Monte Carlo show has implemented technology as engrained in our DNA. The Showbot and parade would be an interesting addition to incorporate more of the overall theme. When I saw it I was still overwhelmed by the technology and focusing, which slightly gets the point across that its engrained in us since we are immersed and can recognize the conflicting or complex streams. Clarifying the technology vs. DNA would be something I would like to see how the Monte Carlo performance has down.
I love the Blue Man Group! I think it's interesting they're changing it, because as far as I know, they've been doing the exact same show for years. I heard (from an article about the group) that when the original Blue Men branched out and hired people in LA and Chicago to do their shows, they insisted they remain exactly the same, and they supposedly had to film each show and one of the original men would watch it each night. I'm not sure to what extent this is true, but the importance of their show to them is undeniable.
The robotics and brain-mapping new effects sound really cool. This may encourage some people who have previously been to the Blue Man Group to buy tickets again to attend the 'new' show.
After reading this article, I realized how fascinating it has been that the Blue Man Group has changed their act over the years - even if it's a gradual change. In this case, it sounds like a pretty big change, but I haven't seen the re-vamped show yet. I first saw Blue Man Group in Boston when I was around 6 or 7, and I loved it. At the end of that show, there was toilet paper getting thrown between audience members, paper getting blown into the audience, blacklights, and strobes. This might have been my first rave. The second time I saw the show (in Vegas a few years ago) there wasn't anything too spectacularly different. A couple of years after that I saw them perform during their tour, in Houston. This time, remote-controlled LED inflated orbs got bounced around the audience - a much higher-tech effect than shooting toilet paper everywhere.
Will, it certainly is more cost-effective to do reusable LED beach balls as opposed to reloading and wasting a hundred rolls of toilet paper every performance!
It's important to remember that the Blue Men have been in Vegas for twelve years now, doing the same show. It suffers the same fallback of many book plays and musicals, in that for the average audience member, once you've seen the show, you don't have a "need" to go back and see it again. You've checked it off the checklist. Blue Man Group inherently has some more ability to be flexible because the show's scenes are modular - if they needed to rearrange the scenes, or take one out, or swap one in, it could be fairly easy without interrupting the flow of the show. I'm rather surprised that these new routines didn't start making their way into the show earlier. However, they're still going to have to get over the "I've already seen Blue Man Group, I don't need to see the same show again" mentality that is pervasive. That's where the parade is a cool idea - in a city where tourists are desperate for some free entertainment, you could draw a lot of people to the lobby just to watch the parade (just as the Rio draws people every day for the free overhead Mardi Gras parade). What's a bonus for the Monte Carlo and for BMG is that they are driven to buy tickets to see more of the show as a result of the parade, whereas the Rio simply wants to get people in the doors to start gaming or eating. If you get to show off your new production elements as a result, all the better.
I have never seen a performance by the blue man group, although I have heard a lot about them and definitely seen them in many commercials for Las Vegas. The news that they are having a grand opening for their show with new material is intriguing, since it hasn't been an absolutely static show for all its twelve years of existence. This is, of course, the biggest and most drastic change they've made to it, and that calls into mind the modernization of technology itself. The development of the show seems to represent the forward movement of technology; both began to evolve slowly, but once set in motion seem to unstoppably pick up pace.
I saw the Blue Man Group perform in Chicago on an 8th grade trip and was awestruck by how original the production was. Of course there's seperation anxiety from parting with some elements of your show that has funded your livelihood for twelve years. Then again, a show like theirs demands to keep up with the times; commentary on the modern era has to make sure that it stays modern. I'm sure they'd also have to keep up with the technology and producion elements used in more recent shows so they can keep their edge and nontraditional performance aesthetic at its highest degree.
i never had a chance to watch a Blue Man Group perform before. But i do heard a lot about them. how they stick with the original production and how they refuse to keep into the modern pace. So i was a little surprised to see this news. they say that they gonna use the new materials, which means new scenery, new stage, new technology and everything more progressing. wow, i really am look forward to it.
I was so happy when I found out that the Blue Man Las Vegas show was being revamped. The old show was fantastic, but many Vegas visitors had already seen the show in Vegas (or elsewhere...the old Vegas show was very similar to the one I saw in Chicago) and many locals had already seen the show multiple times and were probably not likely to put more money into it. I really hope that the company was able to pump some money into the new show...when I went backstage I was surprised to see how many things seemed to be gaff-taped together and not made/repaired in the best way. Through friends who work at the show, I know that the Monte Carlo move is going to be great for the show in more ways than one. (Apparently the management at the last venue was not the best.) This may also have been a factor in the show not having the hugest running budget. I love the creative ways in which the Blue Man Group can call out some of the silly things about the modern world (i.e. how addicted we are to the internet, and now cell phones), and I can't wait to see what they can do in this re-vamped show. The need for Blue Man Las Vegas to change is a great example to use to illustrate the need for all forms of entertainment (even successful "classics" like Blue Man's Las Vegas show) to be constantly changing and adapting to the needs of audiences.
Although Ive never scene the blue man group, Ive always though the concept behind their shows was so cool. I think thats really great that they are changing there show a little bit to adapt better to todays society and still keep the main concept of their show alive. Also the changes themselves sound really interesting, I would especially like to see the floating orbs at the end of the show, that seems like it would be awe-inspiring to see. I feel like this would be such an interesting show to tour backstage. Ive always wondered about what process they go through to become blue like that and not have it fade on them throughout the show like most stage makeup would. Hopefully seeing one of their shows is in my future somewhere.
I am glad that the show is continuing to evolve and change with the time. The type of variety show, concert and strangeness that is the blue man group I feel it needs to stay constant and up to date. Feel like blue man and shows like it people are always wanting to see what is the next crazy drum beat or the next crazy stunt they will pull. Having seen the group once, I did enjoy the show and had seen pieces and parts of the shows online. So in that fashion it was exciting to see the group live but I already new the gags. I love they are constantly adapting and I think that will keep the group alive for years to come.
I'm glad BMG is changing and adapting for the times. If the original themes present in the first edition of the show are no longer present, why wouldn't you change them up in an effort to connect to the audience? There's nothing I hate more than seeing an old, dated show performed in its traditional context with no effort to connect to me, a 2012 theatergoer. My only concern, as always, is that the "improvements" and "adaptations" remain true to the original intent of the performance. Admittedly, I've never seen BMG live, so I have nothing to compare their old or new show to, but I think it's important to keep the original themes in mind--just modify them slightly in order to keep the performance fresh and exciting.
Finally. I have seen the Blue Man Group twice, first in Vegas and second in Orlando. The first time I was amazed of course. The second, I thought I'd be seeing a different show. Unfortunately, it was the same exact show I had seen almost 6 years before, granted, still amazing. I absolutely agree that it's high time for them to update their content to more relevant topics of today, especially with a group that is so innovative.The possibilities seem endless in this time of technology. With their creative use of light and sound in their original, I can only imagine that this newly vamped show will be much more effective with the younger audiences who will be experiencing it for their first time.
I have only ever seen one Blue Man Group show and it was earlier this year in Pittsburgh. It was one of the coolest shows I have been to. But that was my first time, if they haven't changed anything all these years, its good they are about to. It seemed to me the best part of their show was the originality it was like nothing I had ever seen. The fact that they need new material is especially true if they have had basically the same show all these years. Considering their original theme, information overload, was a little ahead of its time I hope they come up with something equally as interesting, and I really hope I get the chance to see it
I think it is interesting how the Blue Man Group is striving to incorporate new technologies into their performances. Often times the entertainment industry is the first to make use of new technology. An example was last week with the rain room and how it used 3D imaging so no one actually got wet. The inclusion of technology of touch screen devices is something familiar to a lot of people and adds another depth or interaction to the show.
It is very interesting to see how even the famous, well-known shows tries to adapt as our society turns. The Blue Man Group is one show that I regret not seeing when I went to Las Vegas and saw all or commercials advertising this show. However, now I regret more because since I didn't get to see the original play, I can't compare or see the difference they make into their plays. It is good to see how the company is moving forward for changing technology to make it refreshing and intriguing to audiences or fans. Also, I like to see how they are making some drastic changes, yet making it relevant to the original show. I hope it will turn out well and I get to see this performance one day.
The blue group will always remain one of my absoulte favorite gruops, no matter how much they scare me. i fully apriciate their range of audience and ability to wow and impress people of all ages while putting a smile on there faces, even though ther e own are blue and waxy and bald. every intrament of theres is an amazing and interesting invention or at least a new and inventive way of useing it! i always look forward to reading about them to see what they come upo with next! they are true genious
I remember seeing the blue man group at the luxor and at universal studios in orlando and being completely entranced by their performance. However, when I saw it I was much younger. I feel that if i saw what i saw what i saw when i was younger nowadays i wouldn't be as impressed just because i would be watching the same performance again. I love that they are now modernizing their performance while still sticking to their roots. It's a great idea to keep their past viewers interested in seeing them again and get people to watch it for the first time based on its relevance.
Ive never seen a show performed by this group but i think any show that evolves with the times is one worth some credit. i also think its kind of a good strategy to sell more tickets. if youve seen it before then you would want to go see it again to see how it changed and if youve never seen it this is a good way to advertise the show all over again form a fresh perspective.
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