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An Interview With The Blue Man Group
Omaha Family Interviews The Blue Man Group by Leah Parodi
Once again, Omaha Performing Arts and Broadway Across America are bringing award winning performances to the Orpheum Theater. This season audiences get to experience Jersey Boys, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, Rock of Ages, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof and in January the Mega-hit; Blue Man Group.
During the 1980’s, three friends (Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink) experimented with the idea of creating a visual art performance that would be unlike anything anyone had ever seen. Adopting a Blue Man persona allowed them to be free from human social masks so that they could become any man, all men. They hit the streets of Manhattan to perform, using various methods of art and music. In 1991 that were financed by off-Broadway producers that brought their show indoors. It did not take long before Blue Man Group began entertaining and impacting audiences around the world.
Today, Blue Man Group (BMG) has exploded and they are almost everywhere. From theatrical shows in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Berlin and Tokyo to the current tour across the country and from creating original music for movies and television to developing a child educational art exhibit entitled “Making Waves” the Blue Man Group is proving that art and music are beautiful, no matter the means to create them. The show itself is a proclaimed “mess” but after the initial shock of seeing art in splattered paint and hearing music in the crunching of a children’s cereal, audience members will realize that this is truly a theatrical show. Especially, as the three Blue Men do not speak a word.
Omaha Family Magazine caught up with Bhurin Sead who is one of the three Blue Men coming to perform in January. And like the unique background of the original members, so is that of Bhurin and his journey to become blue. Bhurin received a degree in human biology from the University of Texas and was working as a lab associate in the biotech industry before BMG came calling.
Omaha Family Magazine: Just like the unique origins of BMG so is your story. How did you get from being a research assistant to BMG?
Bhurin: “I became a Blue Man in 2008 and before that I was a working in a biotech lab. Growing up I was really fortunate to have parents who enjoyed music. I played the guitar, piano; I was in the junior high and high school band. Music was a huge part of growing up, and I took that for granted.”
“In college I was involved in a student band and we wrote original music. That’s when I started thinking about being up on stage. Then I graduated and got a job but I really tried to keep playing music. Then I saw an open-call for BMG and I loved the show. I remember seeing it in New York on Broadway.”
“I thought; hey, that sounds like fun and went on my lunch hour to downtown Austin to try out. At the audition we had to do a quick drumming piece to show we could keep a beat and had potential to learn. I did a little drumming growing up, but not a lot. The second part of the audition was acting abilities; being able to tell a story with your eyes and other improv games. The BMG was looking for people to be totally honest, totally truthful and totally in the moment. And it was a complete shock, a total surprise when I was asked to go to New York for a second audition.”
In New York Bhurin attended a two day workshop where he and other potential Blue Men learned routines before he was ready to get “bald and blue” for the final audition. And although he did not make it through at that time, the directors saw something in Bhurin and told him to take acting classes. He did and they called a few months later. After another round of auditions he was hired.
“I was really excited to be part of the company. In college I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. But then I started living in the moment and when I really listened to what I wanted to do, this happened.”
“It’s SO great to be a Blue Man,” he laughs.
Omaha Family Magazine: What kind of experience is BMG trying to share with the audience?
Bhurin: “It’s just that, to be able to share with the audience. The show is not story based, it’s about characters finding their way around the stage and connecting with the audience. It’s about taking down the social masks. We live in a world where no one shares eye contact, we live in a bubble. This experience is what the Blue Man has to offer.”
“The BMG is all about having moments with the audience. Especially at the end of the show, I won’t give too much away but it’s a great finale. I love to see five and six year olds jumping and dancing with their parents and grandparents…it’s a lot of fun.”
Omaha Family Magazine: In your show you use cereal, marshmallows, paint, PVC pipe and high-tech equipment to create art and music. Cereal and paint are fun for kids, but will adults enjoy the show as well?
Bhurin: “Most definitely! There is something for everyone. Yes, the kids love the cereal but BMG is a spectacle that connects with every member of the audience. In addition to the high tech equipment and drums there are smaller moments with the Blue Men that are so special because they don’t speak. The audience gets connected on a personal level, it draws you in. The show is full of music, comedy; it is really the whole package.”
Bhurin says that he and the other Blue Men are excited about the upcoming stop in Omaha. “We are always excited to be in a new town. We like to walk around the town to get the vibe and then put on a great show.” Bhurin invites audiences to stay after the show and meet the Blue Men. “We have a meet-and-greet after the show so bring your camera and stop and say hello!”
The Blue Man Group will be in Omaha at the Orpheum from January 17– 22, 2012. For more information about this or any of the Omaha Performing Arts’ performances in its Broadway series, , call (402) 345-0606 or visit www.TicketOmaha.com.
By lhath1
