Mrs. Mercotan dragged me off to see “Blue Man Group” yesterday.
First off, let me just say that I do not care for Performance Art. Nor am I a fan of Mime, Audience Participation, Improvisational Music, or Gross Humor.
So Why The F**K did I have one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life watching their show last night? And why do words fail me completely when I try to describe what the show was about?
All I can say is that it was about 2 hours, and it was waaaaaay too short!
Maybe you still have leftover lust in your heart for Smurfette and this helps you work through it.
Or could it be related to Smurfs: The Lost Episode?
Sexual crisis? I mean, you know Papa Smurff created Smurfette so the others could gang-bang her and he could watch. Or video tape.
And if he wasn’t dead I’d suggest you check out the preformance art of Ray Johnson. Great artist, there. My favorite was the time he beat a box with his belt for 30 or so minutes.
Sorry, I should have specified my disdain for The Smurfs also. I actually did so before the show to the Mrs.
Perhaps it is because blue was always my favorite color, and felt that The Smurfs demeaned it. Now I can feel good about blue people again.
I saw Blue Man Group in Boston last winter, and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. But forget trying to explain it to someone who is not familiar with them. I told my friends about wearing crepe paper headbands and rain ponchos, banana mush squirting out of their chests, feeling like I was drowning in a sea of paper towels–it doesn’t really translate.
I love 'em madly, but I have no idea why. Of course, the same can be said of my feelings about my husband.
Seen it twice and can’t wait to see it again - I was even listed at the beginning when they “page” people on the LED thingies. Make sure you get all three of them to “kiss” your Playbill at the end of each show.
Most drug-like experience I’ve ever had that did not involve actual drugs.
I’ve never actually had a chance to see them, but I’m a fan nonetheless, between the “Complex” DVD, the albums, and the clips I’ve found online.
My favorite thing about their music is that it sounds very modern and synthesized, but it is actually made mostly by hitting PVC pipes with sticks.
I’m hopefully going to be in NYC this summer, and I’m going to try to go see them then.
It’s simple. You liked it because the music was unbelievable. Or at least that’s why I liked it. Not only the Blue Men with their awesome rhythm sense and bizarre instruments. Their backing band (at least the one in Vegas where I saw them) is incredibly tight. The music is driving and synergizes with the performance perfectly. The visuals are innovative and clever, but it would be nothing without the music.
I didn’t care so much for the interludes, but I view it as a necessary evil for all of those who aren’t into the music as much as me. It was certainly less irritating than the Cirque du Soleil clowns with their insane barking and inane pratfalls and audience humiliation.
They’re a lot of fun, I saw them in Chicago. The fact that it’s really kinetic and really in-the-moment - it’s all about the energy they get going - does make it hard to explain. But I liked the fact that even when it wasn’t being completely performance arty, the show still had themes and ideas in the background. You could tell what they were performing about. And being one of the few people in the crowd who knew all the words to White Rabbit made it a little more fun. 
Interestingly, I just read that they collaborated on the soundtrack for the movie Robots, creating a bunch of new instruments to give it the right sound. That would have to be cool.
I’m listening to The Complex right now.
I ditto what edwino said.
I saw them a bunch of years ago when they first opened, and it was an AWESOME show with great, driving music. The Blue Men themselves were great to watch (and listen to, when they played various tonal and not-so-tonal percussion instruments; seeing all three of them playing Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit on those large PVC pipe organs was fantastic), but their band rocked the house. The music kept me ‘in the mood’ and captivated the whole time. I’d love to play in the pit for a production of Blue Man Group.
Over dinner on Sunday I mentioned I’d just seen them in New York and last year when the Complex Tour came to my city. I was at a loss for words trying to explain to retired age family members why pouring paint on a back lit drum looks cool.
A friend I was with in NY had seen the show in Boston and Las Vegas. He said it’s essentally the same show. If you get a chance see the Complex Tour, very different from the fixed venue shows.
I’ve already got a ticket for Aug 28th when they open in Toronto this summer. Yay me!
Gargamel created Smurfette as a trap. Papa Smurf used magic to turn her into a real Smurf.
This is the most intense concert ever. I saw their Rock Concert Tour or whatever, in Saratoga. We LOVED it - we were cheering, standing up. They were great, and I want to see them again!
These are the ones from Arrested Development, right?
They sound great, I wonder if they’ll come here anytime soon.
I saw them in NYC.
That was a great evening. Saw the show, found a great place for drinks and food afterward. Great night.
so the others could gang-bang her and he could watch. Or video tape.
She was sent in as Gargamel’s evil spy with the intention of destroying the Smurf village, but the overwhelming goodness of the Smurf way of life transformed her. And as for the whole gang-bang scenario, it just couldn’t happen. Smurfs are asexual. They don’t even have reproductive organs under those little white pants. That’s what’s so illogical, you know, about being a Smurf. What’s the point of living if you don’t have a dick? [sup]*[/sup]
Stranger
Okay, I cribbed that whole passage from Donnie Darko, which, like the OP, doesn’t make much sense but is still a great film anyway. “Sometimes I doubt your committment to Sparkle Motion!” I can’t remember laughing harder at a movie in recent memory. Although after five viewings I’m still picking up new references and themes. “Why are you wearing that stupid man suit.” What a strange, disturbing, insightful, nonlinear, open-ended film.