Article By Nik Cooper Photos by Ryan Smithwick

The Blue Man Group has been a national sensation ever since its debut in 1987. What began as a street performance grew to an incredible show combining intense music, technological innovation, deeper themes, and a general sense of “what the heck is going on?” that is renowned by audiences across the country; especially those located in Boston. On October 17th, photojournalist Ryan Smithwick and I were lucky enough to receive a one-of-a-kind opportunity: the chance to interview the minds behind Blue Man Group with other young journalists. Ryan and I had more than just a great time, we had an unforgettable experience.

When we sat in the auditorium to begin the interview, we sat before 7 members of Blue Man Group, both performers and those behind the scenes. In a press conference setup, representatives from the other schools got to ask as many questions as we could. 

The Interview

When asked about what inspired the performers to audition for Blue Man Group specifically, Blue Man Adam Erdrossy stated he auditioned for a completely unique experience. He explained that he loved the rehearsal processes and he felt the autonomy was “freeing” and it was an interesting experience to stay completely silent. Adam was asked to explain further why he enjoyed the silence component of the production, and why it was so important. Adam responded it “stripped away any elements of identification” of a distinct person. The silence leads to audience interpretation, and makes the whole performance a “collective experience” through the band and the Blue Men themselves. 

Over the years, the show has changed and morphed with the times. Many components of the show are “legacy pieces,” or are parts that have remained in the show throughout the years. Some of these legacy pieces are the throwing and catching bits, where Blue Men will attempt to catch marshmallows with their mouths. The paint drums are another iconic piece of the show. The show was described as being “visually identical” despite the morphing of the show's themes and the addition of new technology. 

The show itself, hidden behind layers of creativity and color, is home to several prominent themes that viewers may or may not pick up. Blue Man Captain Jason McLin explains some of these themes. One of the most obvious themes is innocence, staying curious in every situation. He described achieving this theme through utilizing improvisational skills throughout the performance; “keeping the mentality as, ‘yes, and?’” Through this curiosity, the Blue Men can further explore individuality— or perhaps, lack thereof— within themselves and their audience. Curiosity leads to connection, which leads to interpretation. The show itself is also a commentary on society with its dependence on technology and electronics. At the performance Ryan and I attended, one of the longrunning bits throughout the show was an AI assistant placing unwanted online orders for the Blue Men. While it was a comedic experience, it also served as a message about how dependent society as a whole is on technology.

The performers were not the only people interviewed. When asked about their history prior to working with Blue Man Group, electronics director Paul Marr stated that he had been the master electrician at Boston Conservatory for 7 years prior, and he had only moved to Blue Man Group when the opening was mentioned by his coworkers.

The technology behind Blue Man Group is incredibly different when compared to other productions. Marr went on to explain just how crucial waterproofing everything is. All lighting fixtures are coated with a gel that protects them from the paint from the paint drum section. The screens are carefully placed so that residue will not come into contact with them. John Parker, carpentry and automation supervisor, furthered the point by explaining that all workarounds were very different and unique from other shows due to how many different materials were present in the performance itself. The food products such as marshmallows, the water, and the paint all were hazards for the technological components. Maintenance was a regular and specific process.

Our interview was over almost as soon as it started, but the main event was yet to come. It was time for an even more exclusive opportunity: the chance to watch the soundcheck.

The Soundcheck and Show

After a short break for dinner and a quick walk back to the theater, we all prepared for the soundcheck. It was, in a word, extraordinary. It was an incredible chance to watch the inner workings of the show under work lights, and to get a sneak peek of the event. We witnessed the screens being tested, one of many slappa-phone performances, as well as an up close look at the band underneath the mesh covering. It could be compared to a Disney lights-on experience.

After some time, the other audience members began piling in, and the show began. We witnessed incredible screen animations, which only added to the liveliness of the show. The animations were abstract and curious, presenting themes of technology. The use of blacklights or other glow-in-the-dark techniques added that depth, such as the clothing the band wore. While it was difficult to see them behind the mesh screen in the darkness, their vague shapes could be viewed through their glowing clothing.

It was honestly fascinating to watch the performers switch into character as well, considering that we had just been speaking with them hours prior. The interaction with the audience was equally as engaging, as they brought members of the audience onto the stage for elaborate jokes or for performances that had everyone laughing as loud as possible.

The show itself was an extraordinary experience, created from such unique minds that would be impossible to ever replicate. However, the opportunity to interview such incredible talent and skill beforehand can only be best described by Ryan Smithwick himself: “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”