DAYS AT SEA--BLUE MAN GROUP!

Tuesday, October 23—Wednesday, October 24:  At Sea:

I am writing today to the roar of the Atlantic Ocean. Master Captain Sverre Sovdsnes announced we were experiencing 9-12 ft. swells, but the ship is so stabilized that the effect is negligible.  I have attended two lectures on maritime history, specifically about Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. TK has participated in a couple slot tournaments and trivia games.

Tuesday’s dinner at “Taste” was lobster tails. We are quite fond of waiters Kerwin and Christian of the Philippines and ask to be seated in their section.

 Wednesday (October 24) we went to a program about NCL’s newest ship to be introduced May 2013. No more separate toilet and shower modules with the sink in the main cabin area. Thank goodness. The ship is a little smaller than the Epic and looks very glorious.

We had reservations for the Blue Man Group in the Epic Theater tonight. I had no preconceived notion of what the performance would be like. I really liked the upbeat music, rock sometimes edging toward heavy metal and the humor of non verbal communication. Three men with blue faces and black clothing basically mimed their way through an hour and a half of engaging and humorous entertainment with grace, fluidity, and inquisitive stares. Tim said they reminded him of aliens. Throwing and blowing bright neon yellow, orange, and purple paint added a dimension to audience participation. Fortunately we were four rows back from the stage and missed the paint. Toward the end of the performance the Blue Men started rolls of paper in the back for the audience to toss all the way to the front. The whole audience was tangled in rolls and rolls of toilet paper.  I would do this again. I could definitely imagine son Randy really liking such a performance, as well as our little girls.

Note about the Blue Man Group: On Friday, the 26^th, I went to a Meet and Greet with the Blue Man Group and their chief musician. I learned that originally the “Blue Man Group” performed as “happenings” in the streets/public spaces of New York City in the late 80s. They felt like outsiders in the cultural world and wanted to add something new and exciting.  By 1991 the Blue Man Group had its first actual theater show. Today there are fewer than 100 “actors” trained for the BMG by the original group and they perform all over the world.  There are four BMG men onboard the Epic in case something happens to one, another can take his place. The musicians are equally accomplished. Each year thousands audition for BMG and only 3-4 make it. There is one female Blue Man. The BMG onboard have performed in Las Vegas, London, NYC, and Boston, as well as the Epic—the only cruise ship with this performance.

The men said that the blue paint they use on their faces is oil base with the consistency of nutella and takes less than 45 minutes to apply. The performance is physically demanding. They practice daily onboard the ship. In one of the “skits,” a Blue Man catches 32 marshmallows in his mouth, one at a time. That is practiced daily and they said it is easy once one practices a lot. Other “skits” require that the BMG squirt yellow, orange, or purple paint out of their mouths.  They said the paint is nontoxic but they try not to swallow it. Another skit has a gross looking substance spurting out of their chests. They would not reveal what this substance is, but said it is edible.

The Epic Theater has a special stage for gripping, not slipping, made just for the BMG, so it can be power washed. I am glad I went to the Meet and Greet to learn more about this incredible show and the performers.