REVIEW: Blue Man Group (Orpheum Theatre) Arts Music Theatre by Basil Considine - December 19, 2015December 19, 2015 Blue Man Group bills itself as the “enemy of monotony, remedy for boredom, promoter of overjoy and elation.” While these sound hyperbolic, they are also quite true. The show, which touched down at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday night, is a refreshing piece of alternative theatre that blends wordless situational comedy and vaudeville with splashes of paint and percussion. Read the Twin Cities Arts Reader‘s interview with Blue Man Group cast member Steven Wendt. Blue Man Group thrives on the use of vibrant colors; many parts of the show are cued to different palettes.A large portion of Friday’s audience was composed of people who had seen the show before and dragged friends and family to see them. Most of the prepared content is identical to that seen when the show visited the Twin Cities last year; on a repeat visit, one realizes how much of the finely tuned presentation actually hinges on improvisation. This adds an extra element of excitement, especially when the audience realizes that the eponymous blue men on stage sometimes react to things that they say, do, etc. No great concentration is required, but the numerous sight gags and eyecatching effects will keep your eyes glued on the stage when you’re not overcome with laughter. This is a show that especially rewards purchasers of orchestra seats in front of the balcony; some of the more magical interactive elements simply don’t travel underneath the overhang. Most of the patrons at opening night didn’t seem to mind, although a few announced intentions of getting closer seats for the next time. About Latest Posts Basil ConsidineBasil Considine was the Editor of the Twin Cities Arts Reader from 2018-2022. He served as Performing Arts Editor and Senior Classical Music and Drama Critic for the Arts Reader's first five years, before succeeding Hanne Appelbaum. He was previously the Resident Classical Music and Drama Critic at the Twin Cities Daily Planet and remains an occasional contributing writer for The Boston Musical Intelligencer and The Chattanoogan. He holds a PhD in Music and Drama from Boston University, an MTS in Sacred Music from the BU School of Theology, and a BA in Music and Theatre from the University of San Diego. Basil was named one of Musical America's 30 Professionals of the Year in 2017. He was previously the Regional Governor for the National Opera Association's North Central Region and the 2021-2022 U.S. Fulbright Faculty Scholar to Madagascar. Latest posts by Basil Considine (see all) PROFILE: James A. Rocco, Arts Leader and So Much More - September 8, 2023 INTERVIEW: Leslie Vincent on Psychedelic Songs and About Last Night - July 8, 2023 REVIEW: Into the Woods and Over the Rainbow (Guthrie Theater) - July 4, 2023 Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet