Blue Man Group NYC Show Finale
Me and the gals getting ready for the Blue Man Group’s Funeral for the 80’s in Central Park in May 1988.
Today is the final show of Blue Man Group at the Astor Place Theater in New York City.
I was part of the first wave of crew when we were basically grabbing friends who were available to work. It was the year my father passed away and I was grateful to be given a task to do. By the end of my time there, I was studio managing and assisting photographers weekdays at 9 am until call time at 5pm at 434 Lafayette.
Last week on Friday, it was my first time in the theater in 30 years. I hugged and laughed with friends who were part of my every day life once upon a time. When the show began that night, in my mind I saw and felt the band as Larry and Brian and Ian. The opening bit with Chris, Matt, and Phil, brought back the excitement I experienced so long ago. I laughed and cried and remembered how I felt in the earliest days of Blue Man.
Tuesday there was a special invitation crew/alumni show. It was my first time seeing it without Chris. Matt, and Phil as Blue Men. As I sat down, it was surreal to be in that renovated space and know only a handful of people. But quickly I felt the very familiar community and passion for the work that made it special for us in the beginning. There were speeches and a huge photo op. There were mentions of all the relationships and babies, and tributes to friends lost. I wanted to speak, but I felt strongly that this was their moment, the people who are still in it and about to have to figure out what's next in their lives. I have the luxury of time and distance and decades of love with the founding crew members.
I'll take up some space here to mention that the first baby born to the first wave of crew was Ruby, daughter of Company Managers Susan West and Frier McCollister.
The amazing people we've lost: Beautiful and great vibe Daniel Burgess who built stuff AND lead the crew - (Interpretive Dance Protest, anyone?). When he died, the crew felt him with us and missed him daily. It was a huge loss, even though he wasn't on staff any more. In recent years, we mourned the loss of Joe McGuire who had actual stage manager experience and introduced us to Broadway Cares and the theater community in NYC. And dear Leah Schneider, a proper Broadway stage hand skilled on lights - I can still picture her climbing all over the theater.
The essence of the show remains because of all the people over the years who trained and handed their baton to the next hire. Or came up with ideas that worked, or even lended a hand to get this thing going. I think it is safe to say we each left having contributed to this legacy, successfully creating a feeling that transcends time and change. I love Blue Man again, and I am so proud of the musicians and blue guys and crew folk that have kept it going all these years.
