Blue Take Two

by Barclay Nelson

It’s on virtually every tourist to-do list ever generated by eager Chicago tourists. It’s also Chicago’s favorite group of uniquely random other worldly men that are painted blue. Can you guess? Yes, it’s the Blue Man Group. The Blue Man Group’s Chicago ubiquity is still there and still strong. I went recently with a group of windy city neophytes and was delighted to see their responses. You can see them in other cities too but Chicago seems to me to be the best place to see the show.

Now, how to tell you about the show without giving way the ending so to speak. It’s a multimedia variety of quirky randomness. Picture humor, percussion, theatrics, paint and friendly aliens. This is rightfully a difficult picture to conjure as the show embodies creativity that you probably couldn’t imagine beforehand. For the more adventurous front row patrons you need to wear rainwear that they generously provide you. I’ll leave the rest for your surprise.

The show was conceived in the New York production of TUBES and a workshop production in La MaMa E.T.C. It is performed in the Briar Street Theater, located at Briar and North Halsted in Lakeview. The cozy theater was built as a carriage house and horse stable for the Marshall Field’s delivery service. Conversion began in 1970 and it was opened as the Briar Street Theater in 1985.

It’s a great show and warm theater. Regardless of first time or repeat visitor status, The Blue Man Group deserves its ongoing inclusion on your Chicago-must-do list.

For more information visit, www.blueman.com.

Barclay Nelson is an Investment Advisor that likes to write about cars, cigars, drinks and and fly fishing