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After a successful 34 years and nearly 18,000 performances in New York alone, the Blue Man Group is officially ending its run in town on Sunday, February 2. The experimental theater concept also played its last show in Chicago earlier this month.
The good news? The production will continue playing in Boston, Las Vegas and Berlin. According to an official press release, the group is also gearing up to launch a new spectacle in Orlando this April.
One of the longest-running Off Broadway productions in history, Blue Man Group was bought by Cirque du Soleil back in 2017. The company, though, declared bankruptcy in 2020 and is now "controlled by private equity firms," according to the New York Times.
The paper also reports that a spokeswoman for Cirque du Soleil noted that the "difficult decision" to shut down the New York and Chicago shows came after the company "re-evaluated our current standings."The popular Off Broadway program, known for body painting acts and, well, blue-colored men on stage has been shaping the local theater community for over three decades and its absence will certainly be felt across artistic circles.
The legendary troupe first debuted the show at the Astor Place Theater in 1991. Unlike anything else seen on stage at the time, the production has always been a mix of comedy and acrobatic-like performances that steadily amazed audiences of all ages.
"For over 30 years, three bald and blue men have taken millions of people beyond any language barrier, introducing a new imaginative art form through music, comedy and unexpected elements of surprise," reads the release. "Blue Man Group’s euphoric expression of shared humanity became a cultural icon thanks to the vibrant New York theater community and the unwavering support for their unique vision."
We must concede that, overall, the closure of Blue Man Group feels particularly out of step with current cultural trends, which are increasingly centered around immersive and experiential entertainment. Alas, life moves on. Cheers to what's next!