Blue Man Group to Rock City Walk?
Universal Orlando: Is the Blue Man Group coming to settle down at Universal Orlando?
I've recently read rumors that Universal is in the preliminary stages of signing a major contract with the blue painted trio known as the Blue Man Group that will permanently house the artists at the Universal Orlando Resort, particularly in the soon to be renovated Nickelodeon Studios building. The rumor has it that there will be a clearance made between Hard Rock Orlando and the Universal Studios exit that will serve as a passage to a blue painted theater that will be home to the "City Walk" show. The show may be similar to their popular Las Vegas show, but, of course, nothing is official. The group is known for their elaborate PVC prop rock shows that place emphasis on musical pageantry with audience participation. The show will be in obvious competition with Down Town Disney's Cirque Do Soleil.
Special thanks to Screamscape.com for the info and Wikipedia.org (for an accurate description of the Blue Man Group).
From steve lee
Posted September 3, 2006 at 10:02 PM
Hey, if they can keep it slightly more inexpensive than La Nouba (which just raised its prices), they'll have a hit on their hands. If they think they can just rampantly charge 80-90 per ticket, well, maybe the BMG needs a reality check (you did, after all, have to look them up on Wikipedia, right?)
Blue Man Group would be an excellent addition to the entertainment scene in FL, especially on Citywalk!
La Nouba raised prices eh? Thats too bad because its really an awesome show!
From Bruce Lane
Posted September 3, 2006 at 11:14 PM
I've never been a big fan of the Blue Man group, so I'll say this much and leave it.
If this deal does go through, it couldn't happen to a more deserving city (with the possible exception of the tobacco-poisoning capital of the world, Las Vegas).
From Erik Yates
Posted September 4, 2006 at 5:50 AM
Blue Man Group is a great show, and if done right could be a real big competition for La Nouba. The price would have to be less than 40 dollars and perhaps make it a dinner show. I'd say that would draw in a lot to CityWalk.
Well I know they're at the Luxor right now, perhaps one of the proteges will be there. Surley they won't leave Las Vegas. They have touring Blue Man Groups too, maybe one of them will be there--just some thoughts. I personally LUV this group. If the originals DO move there, I'm sure it'll be a welcome change having been in Las Vegas for a while now.
From Erik Yates
Posted September 4, 2006 at 5:04 PM
There are large auditions going on right now. They are most likely looking for Blue Men to operate on a nightly basis, and I imagine there will be a few shows a year with the real guys...though I wouldnt make it a big deal...just change up the show a bit.
From Phil F
Posted September 5, 2006 at 9:09 PM
I'm a big Blue Man fan, sort of an insider fan (I can give you a setlist of their upcoming tour... hint: Pink Floyd cover song). So I can answer any questions you have about them.
They started in the streets of New York in 1987, so they didn't just pop up out of nowhere. Audiences are willing to pay $100+ for tickets to Blue Man. The Vegas show (at The Venetian now, not Luxor anymore) prices range from $71 to $121. That's not Blue Man's choice, though. Vegas shows have ridiculous prices, and $121 is pretty good by that town's standard. It sucks, but the show is worth it. I've seen the Vegas show 8 times, now (and once in Chicago and two concert tour stops in LA). Prices for the smaller their smaller permanent shows in New York, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, and London are closer to $60 a ticket. There's a big venue in Berlin, too. There's no way prices will be $40. Blue Man is high quality entertainment, believe it or not. I think the people who don't like them need to give 'em an actual chance, rather than base opinions on random TV appearances. It sure beats acrobatics of Cirque, I think... I really can't take anymore of their stuff. It's awesome, but really now...
There are about 6 to 9 blue men rotating at each location (but there's only 3 performing in each show) and multiple band members, too. The Las Vegas show runs 7 days a week all year, two shows on Saturdays. There used to be a matinee on Saturday afternoons. Maybe attendance will be good enough in Orlando for that.
I'm really excited about this news/rumor. I think Blue Man is a perfect fit for the CityWalk atmosphere. And I'm confident that this rumor is true, because I know for fact Blue Man has been interested in a Orlando for a long time.
If you got time, this 10 minute interview I uploaded will give you guys an idea of what they do... but really, it's hard describe what they do, really...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1D34F2KkDT8
Phil, you got my attention with the words, "Pink Floyd cover song."
From Gareth H
Posted September 7, 2006 at 3:11 PM
Never heard of em, guess I should look em up.
Didn't realise Cirque De Soleil was so pricey, wanted to go there at some point!!
CHRIS, can you email me when you get a chance!! Ta!
From Phil F
Posted October 16, 2006 at 10:57 PM
I help out at bluemanlibrary.com, and on our podcast, we had an interview with Blue Man artistic director Michael "Puck" Quinn. He didn't have much to say because right now their focus is on their current tour. They'll start planning Orlando's show after the current leg of their rock tour.
When asked about the Orlando show's uniqueness, he only guessed that it would be the same size as their London, Toronto, Chicago, and Amsterdam shows (roughly 700 seat small theaters). That would greatly increase the chance of having 10+ shows a week. This goes against initial rumors saying that it would be modeled after the larger Vegas show, which holds 1800 people.
But I think Orlando is possibly the only other city besides Vegas with tourists coming in-and-out to fill enough seats on nightly basis. So having a 700-seat theater in Orlando doesn't seem like the best choice, business-wise, but it does allow the audience to be more upclose.
BTW, that tour is on the road right now. Here's part of that "Pink Floyd cover song":
One of These Days
Texas show
Yeah, its in Champaign on Thursday!
Anyway, they should make it big! I am going to assume that its biggest competition is going to be Cirque at Downtown Disney. Would like to see the Blue Man Group. Can't see it here :( , Im working!
Nice!
Thanks for the links.
From Phil F
Posted November 7, 2006 at 7:38 PM
Blue Man Group was spotted at the park in the past few days filming TV spots. Someone recorded a
video of them filming by the globe. The video shows them out of character a little bit, which is a bit rare, especially out in the open like that.
Apparently, they were also spotted at JAWS.
A Blue Man friend of mine also heard that workers of the soon-to-be-closed Toronto show will be relocated to Orlando, which may be evidence that the Orlando Blue Man theater will be a small 700-seat theater.
And just a personal update, I saw the tour twice this past weekend in San Diego and Anaheim and got myself a video of the Floyd cover: One of These Days
Press event Thursday at 10:30 am. Graphics on the press event invitation make it obviously clear (to me, at least) that the press event is to announce the arrival of Blue Man Group, even though Universal went to great effort not to mention that. (Color of flyer is dark blue, image is of a man in profile, etc.)
I was at Universal Sunday and when I was leaving they had the area around the Universal Globe blocked off as the Blue Man Group were down there looks like filming a commerical (or promo for coming to Universal). So if that isn't a true sign they are coming then the chances of them there at the globe, part of City Walk Area as I see it, then I don't know what is...
Shows start Summer 2007!
Good idea! Universal will do well with this show!
From Gareth H
Posted January 6, 2007 at 8:39 PM
Well update for you if you didn't know!
Old Nick Studios are currently being gutted and a new entrance to the park is being built between the 2 current entrances (Between main entrance and the Hard Rock Cafe side entrance)..
It seems that the current side entrance will become the new Blue Man entrance and the new one being built will replace the current side one!
Keep you updated with info if I get it!
I was at the studios for a few hours on Wednesday, but I failed to check out the old Nick Studios area to see the progress.
old nick studios is going to be the new stage for the the blue man group in up and coming summer of 2007
From Erik Yates
Posted January 21, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Yes, and tickets are on sale at Universalorlando.com...I think you should read the whole thread...just a suggestion.
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