It’s getting closer and closer. Blue Man Group is moving into Universal Orlando Resort, and the final result is sure to be remarkably amazing. The new show is opening on June 7, 2007, and today, Universal Orlando released new images depicting what the theater is going to look like, from the inside and the outside. The result: I’m stoked.
I’ve been living in Orlando for almost two years now, and I’ve been an avid fan of Universal Orlando and pretty much everything they do (minus the impending closure of Back to the Future, which still hasn’t happened). The announcement of this new venue is shocking to me in two ways—if you read my last post, about how Nothing Beats Nostalgia, then you know that I am still tweaked by the fact that Nickelodeon Studios is no longer in the resort. It was an icon of the park in the park’s early days, and to see it just disappear was something that I did not want, and something I did not expect. The addition of the Blue Man Group Theater is, to me, destroying many of our childhood memories. That’s how it shocked me in a bad way. But, conversely, Blue Man Group is amazing, and it is definitely the sign of a new era at Universal. This new venue is something that’s going to bring both Universal Orlando and the city of Orlando some big bucks.
Let’s think about this one for a second. Remember when Cirque du Soleil opened up at Downtown Disney? It was HUGE…definitely the event that crushed Universal Citywalk’s chance of ever beating Downtown Disney as the best entertainment district. Or, did it…Cirque du Soleil has been around in Orlando for quite some time, and the popularity of it has dwindled quite a bit. It doesn’t exactly provide the “WOW” factor that it did when it first opened, and that’s why I think that in the next five years, that show will be replaced with something entirely different. With the popularity of Cirque going downhill, its time for something that will bring in more audiences to Orlando. Blue Man Group is definitely that “something.”
For those who aren’t too familiar with the Blue Man Group or what they’re about, the production is full of unique instrumental music, in which various objects, like PVC pipes, are turned into their instruments. Combine this with amazing video scenes, the Blue Man Group band, and a whole lot of slapstick humor, and you get the Blue Man Group. If you’ve ever seen any of their shows, whether it be a theatrical show or their ongoing tours, you know that they are visually amazing. If you choose to come to Orlando (or any of BMG’s other permanent cities, such as Vegas), be sure to check out this new show.
Today, Universal revealed some new details about the Blue Man Group Theater. Here is the press release:
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RELEASES CONCEPT IMAGES AND DETAILS OF NEW BLUE MAN GROUP VENUE
Orlando, Fla. – Blue Man Group, the wildly successful live entertainment experience, will perform from a specially created theater at Universal Studios theme park starting June 7. Universal’s Sound Stage 18 is being re-designed as a 1,000-seat theater complete with its own box office, and will be accessible from both Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios theme park.
The re-design includes a stunning exterior as well as interior features specially designed for the Blue Man experience.
On the outside, 30-foot-tall Blue Men – the largest Blue Man images ever created – mark the entrance to the new theater. Their size makes them visible from nearly everywhere inside Universal’s CityWalk. And inside, there is a set design that has evolved from the original New York production, still running at the Astor Place Theatre. Its purpose: to create an environment for the Blue Man character to connect with the audience in a visceral way.
The Blue Man Group Band, a live presence in all Blue Man Group shows, will hover above the stage in two loft-like boxes. The lofts are connected to the rest of the space with a series of large pipes – similar to the pipes the Blue Man Group uses as part of its unique instruments. The pipes supplement the theater’s audio system and allow the band’s sound to reach audience members in a unique way.
“Creating a theater in a sound stage gives us a great foundation for installing and running technical elements for the show,” said Paul Ackerman, Senior General Manager/Production at Blue Man Group. “The space provides an ideal acoustic environment with silent HVAC systems, which will allow for the sonic experience of the show to stand out and captivate the audience.”
Video has been an important part of Blue Man Group since the beginning and the Orlando show will be no exception. In addition to the main screen on the stage, which conveys most of the show’s video imagery, the theater’s sophisticated video system uses the entire set as a projection surface. The set becomes a giant canvas which the Blue Man uses to connect with the audience.
Audio visual veterans at Scharff-Weisberg designed the video system which will be used in the new theater. The new technology, already in use on the “How To Be a Megastar Tour 2.0,” allows for the video elements of the show to be integrated with and controlled by the lighting system.
The new theater will have orchestra seating throughout, maintaining an intimate setting that allows all audience members to feel close to the action onstage. The seating design also provides comfortable seating and excellent sightlines in every seat. The “poncho” section, as it is playfully called, will be located in the front of the house and will provide a more up close and personal experience for guests who don’t mind the possibility of getting splashed by the Blue Men as they perform. A lobby area is also being created with concession, retail and event space.
The renovation of Sound Stage 18 also includes the installation of a new entrance through CityWalk, allowing guests to access the theatre without purchasing a theme park ticket. Tickets for the new show are on sale now, with opening night set for June 7. Contact the Universal Orlando ticket line at 888-340-5476 or visit www.universalorlando.com for more information.
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And, just for kicks, here are the concept images that the company also released today.
TOP: The new design for the Blue Man Group Theater, currently under construction at Universal Orlando Resort.
BOTTOM: The layout for the Blue Man Group Theater’s interior.
As you can see, the Blue Man Group venue is progressing along quite nicely, and I think this new venue is going to have a very positive impact on the economy in Orlando. It’s a fresh, new experience that will surely boost up the attendance numbers at both Universal Orlando and the city of Orlando itself.
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