Experimental musical theatre troupe the
Blue Man Group was founded in 1987 by longtime friends Matt Goldman, Phil
Stanton, and Chris Wink; identical in their blue-painted
skin, skullcaps and black clothing, the
Blue Man Group soon became a fixture of the New
York underground performance art scene thanks to their regular appearances in
Central Park, followed by shows at noted East Village spaces including Dixon
Place, Performance Space 122 and the Wooster Group's Performing Garage.
Equal parts play, concert, and sketch routine, the
Blue Man Group combined sight gags, physical stunts and audience
participation, with members of the front rows given plastic rain ponchos as
protection from the hail of paint, food and other assorted projectiles launched
from the stage; in early 1991, the
Blue Man Group premiered their production Tubes at La MaMa,
moving to the Astor Place Theater by the end of the year and ultimately winning
an Obie Award for their efforts. Tubes eventually expanded to long runs in
Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas; in 1999, the
Blue Man Group also issued an album, Audio, spotlighting their custom
musical instruments.
Three year later, the
Blue Man Group inked a multi-album deal with
Atlantic's sister label, Lava Records. The Complex, which appeared in April
2003, marked the
Blue Man Group's monumental sophomore album - a slick effort showcasing
impressive collaborations with Tracy Bonham, Dave Matthews, Dan the Automator
and Esthero. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
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