CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After a dark 18 months, the Briar Street Theater is turning up the music and securing the set again for the return of a "Blue Invasion".
Theatrical phenomenon Blue Man Group will make its long-awaited return to Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre on Wednesday, August 18. A dynamic combination of art, music, comedy and technology, Blue Man Group encourages audiences to reconnect with their inner (and outer) child in order to see the world through a new perspective.
“For more than 20 years, Blue Man Group has established itself as one of the top entertainment destinations in Chicago,” said Mary Grisolano, Managing Director of Blue Man Group, in a statement. “We are absolutely thrilled to return to the stage and welcome new and returning audiences to the Briar Street Theatre.”
Blue Man Group originally debuted at the Briar Street Theatre in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1997. Three bald and blue men explore today’s cultural norms with wonder, poking fun at the audience’s collective quirks, and reminding them how much they all have in common. The show is continually refreshed with new music, stories, custom instruments and state-of-the-art technology.
"It's exciting to light that fire once again," said Callum Grant, who's performed as a Blue Man in Chicago for the last six years.
As he looks back on the last year and a half, he said artists and performers took the time to reflect and commiserate.
"With this 18 months of time, we had to think about what we've done, think about what we do, and what we are trying to bring back to the world," he said.
Grant is from Scotland and tried out for the role back in his hometown of Glasgow. Since then, he's performed all over the world in London, Berlin, Tokyo, Zurich, Rio, Sydney, New York, and Boston.
"I feel lucky I've gotten to do this job for as long as I did. I did a lot of yoga everyday to keep my body in a ready shape, because the show can be physically demanding," he said.
Grant said he and his Blue Man colleagues Zoom called regularly and needless to say, they were all ecstatic when they learned they'd be returning to the stage.
"We decided to follow the guidelines like everyone else, but we realized it was time. We as a species are social and no matter what, we will celebrate, we will enjoy and we will perform," Grant said.
Grant said he can't wait to don the makeup and assume his alter ego.
"The smell of the makeup is kind of an emotional experience, the smell triggers that sense of excitement. Returning to Briar, it's kinda like going back to your childhood home," he said.
The cast and crew have been rehearsing for the last month. Grant said the show remains a visceral, primal experience, but audiences can expect some new material this time around.
"Prior to the pandemic, we did something called the Spill Over Salon, where we do experiments, trying out a bunch of new material. There was one in particular that proved to be so successful that will now go into the new show. I'm looking forward to seeing how the audiences react," he said.
Grant said the show has also been adapted to COVID protocols and audiences will be required to wear masks throughout the show.
"We'll be wearing face shields at times, especially when we're interacting with the audience," Grant said.
Blue Man Group is one of the first shows to return to the stage before live audiences.
"I hope we set the bar. I know we need this as a human race. It's something we enjoy and we will always find a way to entertain in the ways of performing," Grant said.
Blue Man Group Chicago resumes performances Wednesday, Aug. 18. Tickets are on sale now, and range from $49 – $89. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.blueman.com.
2021 Performance Schedule:
August
Wednesday, August 18 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 19 at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 20 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 21 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 22 at 2 and 5 p.m.
Tuesday, August 24 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 25 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 26 at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 27 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 28 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 29 at 2 and 5 p.m.
September
Wednesday, September 1 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 2 at 8 p.m.
Friday, September 3 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 4 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 5 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Wednesday, September 8 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 9 at 8 p.m.
Friday, September 10 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 11 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 12 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 15 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 16 at 8 p.m.
Friday, September 17 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 18 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 19 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 22 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 23 at 8 p.m.
Friday, September 24 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 25 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 26 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 29 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 30 at 8 p.m.
October
Friday, October 1 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 2 at 5 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 3 at 2 p.m.
Additional fall and holiday performances will be announced at a later date.
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