The Moth Podcast: A Blue Bonus
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Why is The Blue Man Group leaving NYC?
Welcome to the Moth Podcast. I'm Mark Sollinger, coming at you with a special bonus episode. We're feeling a little blue today because we learned the Blue Man Group just ended its New York run. And no, I do not apologize for the pun. The Blue Man Group is still going with shows in Boston, Las Vegas, and Berlin, but its New York closing reminded us of one of our favorite stories from our archive. And we thought we'd share it with you. Oh, and if you're not familiar with the Blue Man Group, well, just listen to the story. John Grady told us at a Moth main stage that we produced in collaboration with Blue Man Group, with musical interludes performed by Blue Men, and held at Astor Place Theatre, the now former New York City home of Blue Man.
The theme of the night was, appropriately enough, Tangled Up in Blue. Here's John, live at the Moth.
Who is John Grady and what was his role in The Blue Man Group?
There we go. So I spent eight years of my life here in New York City performing with Blue Man Group. Thank you. Thank you. I know. No, it's like, seriously, dream job. I'm serious.
What skills did John Grady learn from being a Blue Man?
I mean, where else do you get to learn, you know, to be a precision expert drummer, to learn to throw and catch with, you know, laser-like focus and, you know, and also to communicate non-verbally with two other blue men on stage and with the audience because that's what it is. We don't speak. We don't talk. But it was a great job to have. I mean, it's my first time living in New York City, my first off-Broadway show, and I'm so excited. The show is just addicting to do. Once you do your first show, you're just like, ah, I can't wait for the next one, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Then a week goes by, and then a month goes by, and then a year goes by, and you celebrate your first anniversary.
And then you're like, two years in, and a few more years, and a few more years have gone by, and somehow it has become a job. I know. It's like I'm just trying to keep it fresh and alive after show number 2473 or something, whatever. And I'm finding myself trying to fight complacency because you become so adept at doing all the skills that it's just not really a challenge. And I find myself walking through the show thinking things like, did I order food between shows? Did I remember to TiVo Sopranos? And like that. So now I'm trying to find and rediscover that thing, that original thing that really connected me with the show. And I find myself trying to recreate those early days.
How does The Blue Man Group engage with the audience?
For those of you who haven't seen the show, it's primarily about the audience, about connectedness and community. The audience has gathered for the evening for this happening, for this crazy, wild, interactive piece of theater led by these three silent, bald and blue characters.
What is the significance of the 'feast guest' in The Blue Man Group?
One part of the show is we bring up a volunteer, and we refer to her as our feast guest, which is not important for you to know, but just because we sit behind a table and we eventually get to dining with her. But we also take her through a bunch of tasks We're getting to know her and the audience as well by manipulating things and moving things around and opening them. And she comes to represent the audience in a way. Because we're going to be up there making, not fun of her, but making fun with her but I mean the audience empathizes with her because you know they're gonna be in on some of the jokes that she's not I mean they'll definitely they'll feel like oh my god I'm so glad that was you up there and not me you were amazing you were wonderful now when I go to choose a feast guest it's my job each night I look for someone who's sort of open and willing just a willing participant someone who I think best represents the the spirit of the show and
Like if I was going to choose someone from the audience here to be a Feast guest, it would be like this one right here, just very shiny, available. Yes, it's just that we just make a quick connection, like, good. So I know we're good to go. It's like that. So I'm stepping out into the audience for the first time in the show to go pick out a feast guest.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why is The Blue Man Group leaving NYC?
0:02–0:54
2
Who is John Grady and what was his role in The Blue Man Group?
0:54–1:13
3
What skills did John Grady learn from being a Blue Man?
1:13–2:43
4
How does The Blue Man Group engage with the audience?
2:43–3:00
5
What is the significance of the 'feast guest' in The Blue Man Group?
3:00–5:03
6
How did John Grady handle unexpected challenges during performances?
5:03–13:49