| Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Entrance to Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre. | |
| Location | Universal Orlando Resort |
| Area | Universal CityWalk Orlando |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | June 6, 2007 |
| Replaced | Nickelodeon Studios (1990–2005) |
| Attraction Type | Live Show |
| Theme | Blue Man Group |
| Duration | 105 |
| Starring | Blue Man Group |
| Sponsored by | Sharp Aquos |
| Wheelchair accessible | |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
Blue Man Group Sharp Aquos Theatre (also known as Blue Man Group at the Sharp Aquos Theatre, Sharp Aquos Theatre or simply Blue Man Group[1]) is an attraction located at Universal Orlando Resort. The attraction, featuring a unique Blue Man Group performance, opened June 6, 2007[2] in the former Nickelodeon Studios building, that is now part of Universal CityWalk Orlando.[3] Along with Blue Man Group, the remainder of the former Nickelodeon Studios building is currently occupied by FSN Florida and Sun Sports for their television production needs, and to train sporting events for the Nickelodeon show My Family's Got GUTS.
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Universal Orlando Resort has released this official synopsis:
| “ | "The worldwide phenomenon known as Blue Man Group has set up shop in Orlando. Now performing, you can catch Blue Man Group live at Universal Orlando Resort." | ” |
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.[4] The setlist 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".[5] Each show lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.[6]
On November 9, 2006, Universal Orlando Resort announced that Blue Man Group would occupy soundstage 18 in a new, unnamed theatre, which in May 2007 was named the Sharp Aquos Theatre.[3] Construction began shortly after the announcement. The theatre is contained within Sound Stage 18, which was occupied by Nickelodeon Studios from 1990–2005. The sound stage was home to shows such as Slime Time Live, Figure It Out, and Double Dare 2000. In 2005, the sound stage was used for Where Evil Hides, a haunted house for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights: Tales of Terror event.[7] The theatre is located between the Hard Rock Cafe and the main entrance to Universal Studios Florida.[6]
The 1,000-seat theatre features a 30-foot-tall (9.1 m) Blue Man facade, and is accessible both from the Universal CityWalk as well as the Universal Studios theme park.[8] In preparation for the rezoning of the building into CityWalk, a walkway was constructed between the Universal Studios theme park and the resort's Hard Rock Cafe allowing guests to enter the theatre without paying admission to the theme park, while the former Nickelodeon Studios entrance at the theme park was turned into an attended exit from the theme park to the theatre's entrance.
The theatre's seating diagram is organized into five 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.[9] The other zones, Zones 1-4, are arranged to provide the best possible view of the show no matter where you sit.[10] The theatre 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.[6]
As of October–November 2008, the pathway to Sharp Aquos Theatre has been moved for construction of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster which opened in mid-2009. Construction on the coaster also resulted in the replacement of The Boneyard by The Universal Music Plaza Stage and the entrance of Rockit, and the reconfiguration of the queue of Twister...Ride it Out.
Before entering the main show's theatre, 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, "BMG Gear".[6]
The refreshments stand features a themed bar, with the Blue Man Group "specialty" drink, Electric Blue Lemonade, which is available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. The bar also features other mixed drinks, as well as snacks.
The bathrooms play a looping audio track consisting of the single lyric "Bathroom!" repeated many times, presumably to comically remind guests that they are, in fact, using the bathroom.
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, yet not want to miss anything.
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.
Unlike the building's previous location within Universal Studios Florida, the show and theatre are not included in regular admission to the theme park. Instead, the theatre holds an exterior ticket booth where visitors may purchase individual tickets for the Blue Man Group performance. The tickets cost USD$64.00-$89.00 for ages 10 to Adult, and $25.00 – $34.00 for ages 3 to 9, both depending upon the locations of the seats.[11] 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.[12] The resort allows ages 3 to Adult permitted into the show, but does not recommend the show for children under age 3. Adults accompanying children under 3 must speak to the theatre's front desk 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.[6]
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