How do you describe Blast? That's the $1 million question. Blast is a new Broadway-style theater event that combines music, motion, lighting and exuberant staging to create one of the most incredible theater events that I have ever seen.

History
Blast has a rich history that those who go to see the show need to be aware of. Blast originally formed from the Bloomington, IN, based drum and bugle corps called Star of Indiana. A drum and bugle corps is a marching brass, percussion and color guard ensemble composed of young men and women between the ages of 14-21. These groups practice throughout the spring and ultimately tour during the summer months, competing against each other on football fields. They are not affiliated with any schools or universities.
One of these drum and bugle corps, Star of Indiana, formed in 1985 by Bloomington's own Bill Cook, of Cook Groups Incorporated, burst onto the drum corps scene, placing in the top 10 at the Drum Corps International (DCI)World Championships, the best ever inaugural year finish by a drum corps. Star improved each year, ultimately winning the coveted DCI World Championship in 1991. In 1993, Star was invited by the world-renounded Canadian Brass for a 3-summer tour of North America, and a new genre, "Brass Theater" was born. Over the next 5 years, Brass Theater grew from an arena-style performance, performed on basketball-sized floors, to a stage-style performance. They performed at some very prestigious venues during this time, including Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, Ravinia and the Hollywood Bowl. The stage was set for the transition to the Broadway-style musical now called "Blast!"

Blast-the Broadway show
The show itself is one of the most difficult things to describe, because there is nothing else like it out there. There is energetic music, singing, dancing, movement and lighting. The show, now at the Broadway Theater in New York, doesn't have a plot, but instead has a theme; color. The show progresses through various colors, with musical numbers selected to enhance the emotion/mood that each color creates. There is no diaglog, but instead uses color and music to convey emotion. It has been described as a "real life Fantasia."
The cast itself is composed of around 60 individuals, between the ages of 18-31, almost all of whom have performed in drum and bugle corps. There are brass, percussion and visual ensemble performers who are the best in the world at what they do.
The musical selections in the show include Bolero, Split Complimentarities, Everybody Loves the Blues, Loss, Land of Make-Believe, Battery Battle, Medea, Lemon Techno, Simple Gifts, Malaguena to name a few. All are performed at the highest level of performance.

2001 Tony Award Winner
Blast was originally booked at the Broadway Theater through the summer of 2001, but has been extended through Jan 7, 2002, mainly because they won the 2001 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and their nomination for Best Choreography (they lost the choreography award to Mel Brooks', The Producers).

Who Would Enjoy Blast?
Well, everyone can enjoy Blast. I would encourage every junior-high, high-school and college-aged musician to run to see this show. It is also a family-friendly show for all ages of all musical backgrounds. If you are looking to see a play with dialog, this may not be fore you. However, if you are looking to see a play with lots of music, motion and excitement that is clean and entertaining, then you cannot miss Blast. A word of caution to parents with young children, though I would rate this show as "G", young children may not be able to sit through the 2 hour long show. If your child can sit through Disney's "Fantasia", then they should love Blast.

Price: $25-90 (estimated), expect to pay Broadway prices for this show, but it is worth it

Exciting News
A second cast of Blast is in the making and will begin touring North America in September. Visit their website at http://www.blasttheshow.com for locations and tickets.



Recommended: Yes