Blue Man Group at the Bowl

Blue Man Group set to release 'deviant energy' at Hollywood Bowl

With an invite to 'go crazy' from Hollywood Bowl officials, the comedic trio is ready to do just that over weekend.

Translating the mash-up of high art and low comedy from a 299-seat theater to Las Vegas and rock arenas has posed a challenge. But those have been a cakewalk compared with the 18,000-seat Bowl, the dimensions of which have had Wink's team waking up with "the fear of God" for the past few months.

It's not just a question of using the Bowl's new high-definition video screens and "painting" on a larger canvas, says Wink. "We have to make it an immersive and poetic experience for everyone from the front row to 50 yards back. You have to own the place."

When Blue Man asked who in the orchestra might be a game player for its antics, Grohl offered up concert mistress and violinist Katia Popov, who will be magically transformed into a "slightly cheesy" rocker, and principal guest conductor Thomas Wilkins, who will be turned into a human paintbrush and hoisted high above the stage. Or at least a stunt double will.

"There's no question that this event will change the Bowl as much as it might change Blue Man," says Grohl. "And yet they've been incredibly respectful."

The Bowl audience will be the largest the group has ever performed in front of. Wink makes no bones that the show has been a huge financial investment (said to be in the high six figures) for Blue Man.

"There's no profit in this," he says with a laugh.

(Source: LA Times)