A citywide pandemic is afoot. Blue men are roaming the streets. These men do not have a blood disorder, nor are they aliens from another planet (as far as we can tell). These creatures belong to a touring rock performance group known as the Blue Man Group.
In their last week of the How To Be A Megastar Tour 2.1"" in North America, the Blue Man Group will make a stop in Madison, before heading to Paris, France, to start a month-long stay in Europe. Performing Wednesday night at the Kohl Center, this concert is guaranteed to be a fresh and electrifying experience for veteran listeners of the Blue Man Group as well as those new to the band.
The Blue Man Group is comprised of three peculiar, blue men dressed in black jumpsuits who play a variety of odd instruments, such as the cimbalom, chapman stick, airpoles, a drumwall and many others.
Blue Man are a ""very primal and innocent being,"" says Kirk Massey, one of the blue men. ""They have the eyes of a child and possess no preconceived notions, only the instinctive desire to drum.""
They do not speak, but instead communicate through their actions and the instruments they play. Most of these instruments have been invented by the blue men themselves. However, a backup band is also present to provide additional instrumentals and vocals.
Described as a mixture between a rock show and a comedy performance, the Blue Man Group relies on extraordinary music guaranteed to make you get up and dance, as well as tongue-in-cheek humor to make you laugh. Each show changes, as the blue men incorporate improvisation in every performance. This allows audience members to come back, time and time again, to an entirely new experience.
Fans sitting in the front sections, commonly referred to as the ""poncho section,"" will receive special surprises, as occasionally things do fly from the stage. However, the Blue Man Group website assures audience members that the group will provide them with ponchos and suggests that people do not wear their best outfits.
""Everyone can find a connection to the Blue Man Group,"" Massey assures those new to the idea of the Blue Man Group. Massey says that seeing ""people who wouldn't normally have that much in common having a great time"" gives him a great feeling and comprises part of the motivation that drives him while on stage every night.
So whether you're a frail, 80-year-old grandmother, a toddler or anywhere in between, this is one show you will not want to miss.
Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased either online at the UW Badger Athletics website (_www.uwbadgers.com_) or at the ticket office for $47 and $77. There is a 10-ticket limit per account. Additional information about the Blue Man Group as well as samples of their music can be found at the Blue Man Group official website, _www.blueman.com_.
