The Bombardment of The Blue Man Group Bids Boston Farewell

 

Earlier this month, the Charles Playhouse announced the Blue Man Group would be ending its 30-year run at the venue on July 6th. 

I remember seeing the Blue Man Group perform on The Tonight Show shortly after Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson in 1992 but never felt compelled to see a live performance during the 20 plus years I've lived in Boston. 

However, given their impending departure, I decided it was worth experiencing it for myself and took in a performance last night.

Now having experienced the Blue Man Group, I hope to never experience them again for as long as I live.

I write this knowing I am in a very distinct minority. Most of the audience, young and old, enjoyed the Blue Man Group's antics which have not changed much since their original iteration more than three decades ago. 

But for me it's one thing to see them on TV and quite another to see them in person. To be fair, the theatre did say it would be loud and there would be a lot of strobe lights. That doesn't bother some people. However, for me its bombardment and it's just too much.

Don't get me wrong. It takes enormous skill to catch gumballs and a barrage of marshmallows in one's mouth. With three shows a day, it also takes enormous dedication and time. But it just wasn't for me.

The Blue Man Group bills itself as an interactive show. For me, it was intrusive. A cameraman accompanying the Blue Men shot a view down a man's throat. I didn't want to see his insides and I doubt he did either. I also didn't care for them making a point of shaming people who entered the theatre late. 

I'm grateful that I sat in the balcony seats and did not have to cover myself in plastic in case they decided to spray the audience with liquid or step on their shoulders when in the audience. The only time the people in the balcony had any attention drawn to us was when we were told to get up and dance. I had no desire to do either. Nor did I have any desire to scream at the top of my lungs.

Do I regret having gone? No. I freely chose to experience the Blue Man Group in person and concluded that I didn't enjoy the experience. The show is mostly a tourist trap and the tourists are more than happy to have reams of toilet paper fall on them. It isn't to say the Blue Man Group is without merit. But for me, they are best appreciated from a safe distance. For that, I am grateful they are bidding Boston farewell.