Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre

infobox Universal ride
name=Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre
park=Universal Orlando Resort
logo=BMG Theatre.jpg


caption= Entrance to Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre.
land=Universal CityWalk Orlando
theme=Blue Man Group
opened=June 6, 2007
duration=105
custom_label_2=Previous Attractions
custom_value_2=Nickelodeon Studios (1990-2005)

Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre (Also known as Blue Man Group at the Sharp Aquos Theatre or simply Blue Man Group [citenews|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_overview.html|title=Attraction page for Blue Man Group|author=Universal Parks & Resorts|publisher=Universal Orlando Resort] ) is an attraction located at Universal Orlando Resort. The attraction opened June 6, 2007 [cite web|url=http://www.orlandorocks.com/info.asp?location=citywalk&attraction=blueman&type=overview|title=Universal Citywalk Blue Man Group|work=Orlando Rocks|accessdate=2008-07-08] in the former Nickelodeon Studios building, that is now part of Universal's Citywalk . Along with Blue Man Group, the remainder of the former Nickelodeon Studios building is currently occupied by FSN and Sun Sports, for their television production needs, however, this area is not accessible to guests.

Ticket and group options

Unlike It's buildings previous location, the show is not complimentary as are the rides and attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and instead holds an exterior ticket booth where visitors may purchase individual tickets for the performance. The tickets cost $ 64.00 - $ 74.00 for ages 10 to Adult and $ 54.00 - $ 64.00 for ages 3 to 9 depending upon the show time for the selected performance. [citenews|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_buy_tickets.html#tickets|title=Ticket options for Blue Man Group|author=Universal Parks & Resorts|publisher=Universal Orlando Resort] In addition to normal ticket options, there is also a special choice for Florida residents which includes hotel accommodations at Universal Orlando Resort, and costs $ 89.00 for both adults and children. [citenews|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_fl_res.html#flres|title=Florida Residents Options for Blue Man Group|author=Universal Parks & Resorts|publisher=Universal Orlando Resort] The resort allows ages 3 - Adult permitted into the show, but However, does not recommend the show for ages under 3. Adults accompnying children under 3 must speak to the front desk at the theatre to allow this age group into the show. There is no formal dress code for the show and casual clothing is permitted, though guests wearing damp or wet clothing will not be permitted into the theatre.

History and design

The Sharp Aquos Theatre began construction in November 2006, shortly after the announcement that Blue Man Group would be occupying the building. The theatre is contained within Sound Stage 18, which was occupied by Nickelodeon Studios from 1990-2005.Fact|date=September 2008 The soundstage was home to shows such as Slime Time Live, Figure It Out, and Double Dare 2000 in recent years. In 2005, the sound stage was used for "Where Evil Hides," a haunted house for Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Tales of Terror event. [citenews|url=http://www.hhnvault.com/haunts/locations.htm|title=Halloween Horror Nights Haunted House Locations|author= HHN Vault.com|website=HHN Vault.com] The theater is located between the Hard Rock Cafe and the main entrance to Universal Studios Florida.cite web|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_faqs.html|title=Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando: FAQs|accessdate=2008-07-07 ]

On November 9, 2006, Universal Orlando announced that Blue Man Group would be occupying the soundstage in a new, unnamed theatre, which in May 2007 became the Sharp Aquos Theatre.cite web|url=http://media.universalorlando.com/newsreleases/detail.aspx?id=63&categoryID=10|title=News Releases|accessdate=2008-07-07|work=Universal Orlando Resort Media Site] The 1,000 seat theatre features a 30 foot Blue Man facade and is accessible both from the Universal Citywalk as well as the Universal Studios theme park. [cite web|url=http://www.wftv.com/events/13383142/detail.html|work=WFTV.com|accessdate=2008-07-07|title=Orlando Events, Central Florida Events, Festivals, Concerts, Movies, Arts, Entertainment] In preparation for the rezoning of the building into Citywalk, a walkway was constructed between the Universal Studios park and the resorts Hard Rock Cafe which would allow guests to enter the Theatre without paying the admission to the theme park, while the former Nickelodeon Studios entrance at the theme park was turned into an exit from the park to the theate's exterior, with an attendant stationed at the exit. The theater has 13 ADA seats throughout to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Assistance for the hearing and vision impaired is also available.

The theatre's seating diagram is organized into 5 different "zones." The "Poncho" zone consists of the first four rows of the theatre. It bears this name because of the ponchos that are in each seat of the zone as guests take their seats. This is due to the possibility of materials leaving the stage. [cite web|url=http://www.cfnews13.com/Entertainment/HeyJohn/2007/5/31/blue_man_group_aquos_theater.html|work=Central Florida News 13|title=Aquos Theater|accessdate=2008-07-07] The other zones, Zones 1-4, are arranged to provide the best possible view of the show no matter where you sit. [cite web|url=http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_buy_tickets.html|title=Florida Attraction Tickets: Blue Man Group at Universal|accessdate=2008-07-07]

The attraction

ynopsis

Universal Orlando Resort has released this official synopsis:

ummary

Since it opened in 2007, the Sharp Aquos Theatre has been a new permanent home for Blue Man Group. The show features some of the same humor and routines from the other Blue Man shows in the United States, as well as new routines and components not seen in any other show. [cite web|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_stage_theat/2007/06/blue_man_group_.html|title='Blue Man Group' rocks Orlando|accessdate=2008-07-07|work=Orlando Sentinel] The set list ends with a remix finale of I Feel Love, unlike the shows in New York, Boston, Chicago, and Las Vegas, which end with Last Train To Transcentral. [cite web|url=http://www.blueman.com/about/faqs|work=BlueMan.com|accessdate=2008-07-08|title=Blue Man FAQs] Each show lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Lobby

Before entering the theatre which holds the show itself, guests enter a Blue Man Group themed lobby for the Sharp Aquos Theatre which features full concessions with snacks, cold drinks, and cocktails. Merchandise is also sold in the lobby store.

The refreshments stand features a themed bar, with the Blue Man "specialty" drink, Electric Blue Lemonade, which is available in alcoholic and non alcoholic versions. It also features other mixed drinks, as well as snacks.

The lobby also features eight Sharp Aquos televisions of different sizes. Five of these monitors display a video of various Blue Man Group scenes, including scenes from their Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando shows. The other televisions display a live feed of the show as it occurs, for guests who may be in the lobby and not want to miss anything.

Event space

The Sharp Aquos Theatre also contains a large space for private events and meetings. This space is located behind the concessions and merchandise areas of the Sharp Aquos Lobby, and is accessible from the lobby and from outside of the building. This area is the former "Game Lab" portion of Nickelodeon Studios.

References

External links

* [http://www.universalorlando.com/iq/?page=blueman Official Website]
* [http://blueman.com Official Site for Blue Man Group]
* [http://www.universalorlando.com/bmg_overview.html Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre] at Universal Orlando Resort