Blue Man Group at Boston’s Charles Playhouse photo courtesy of Mike Richard
I can’t think of a show that even resembles Blue Man Group. There isn’t anything like it. It’s strange, funny, clever, smart, and just plain awesome. In that respect, it’s not unlike the city of Boston itself which is largely credited as the home of Blue Man Group.
The show involves three men covered entirely in slick, blue body paint and dark suits. They’re nonverbal throughout the performance, communicating only through subtle eye movements, hand gestures, and interaction with onstage props. The way they act and interact is the basis for the show’s quirky, alien feel.
Blue Man Group is presented in a loose, almost chaotic fashion that’s entirely intentional. As true “performance art”, it cycles through random, unrelated bits of theater, social commentary, dance, live rock music, and hilarious skits complete with audience participation.
Light Panels at the Charles Playhouse in Boston photo courtesy of Mike Richard
In their most famous music act, the three men hold ping pong paddles and play a single, giant percussion instrument made of multi-colored PVC piping that glows under black light. A house band jams along with loud, grinding guitar riffs that sound perfectly suited to a Red Bull extreme sport video. The result is a rising, oddly beautiful percussive beat that sounds otherworldly, yet strangely familiar.
In another bit, the three men bring a female audience member on stage and attempt to woo her over a “gourmet”, candlelit dinner of Twinkies. In less than ten minutes, the skit involves an outdoor bug lamp, a vacuum cleaner, and a large Jello mold being launched into the audience. It’s absurd, clever, and hilarious.
Another involves the blue men kidnapping an audience member and outfitting him in a motorcycle helmet and plastic, full-body painter’s suit. He’s then taken backstage, strung up by his feet, plastered with neon paint, and slapped against a large canvas in a thoroughly ridiculous act of avant garde art creation. After completing the masterpiece, he’s of course returned to the audience, along with his life-size painting as a souvenir.
It’s difficult to describe everything the almost two-hour show is without ruining all the surprises. Without giving too much away, I’ll say the grand finale is equal parts dance party, sing-a-long, performance art, rock concert, and lots and lots of toilet paper. Again, it only makes sense if you experience it for yourself.
Theater Bar at Charles Playhouse in Boston photo courtesy of Mike Richard
I highly recommend sticking around after the show in the theater bar. The blue men gather with audience members to take photos and “sign” autographs — the latter consists of only their simple, trademark blue smudge. The best part is that they never speak and never break character. Anything presented to them like a photograph, cell phone, or marker is observed with an alien childishness as though they’re seeing it all for the first time. This blue man snagged my iPhone to snap a few dozen self-portraits:
Closeup at Blue Man Group Boston photo courtesy of Mike Richard
The show has also been franchised throughout the country in Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, and New York. As you might imagine, every location offers variations in the performance. So, even if you’ve seen it already in one city, you’re bound to see something new and different in another.
-Contributed by Mike Richard
Mike Richard is a Viator Ambassador and Rhode Island native, professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, hiking and seeing the world. Follow him at Vagabondish.
Experiencing the Bizarre, Chaotic Fun of Blue Man Group Boston from Boston Things to Do