ENTERTAINMENT LAS VEGAS 33

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BEHIND THE MUSIC
BLUE MAN GROUP STRINGS PERFORMER ON STAYING
IN TUNE WITH THE INQUISITIVE TRIO
By Heather Turk
Las Vegas is known for making peoples dreams come true, but for Andy Gomez,
his dream had nothing to do with winning Megabucks.
I remember thinking when Blue Man Group
opened at the Luxor, Tis is so awesome; I want
to do this, Gomez, who has been with the
production since it premiered at Te Venetian in
2005, recalled.
Gomez went on to become one of the shows
ushers (then called paper performers) straight
out of high school. Following a few unsuccessful
auditions, he was eventually hired as a part-
time strings performer, alternating between
performing in the show on select nights and
ushering it on others. Finally, in 2008, he became
a full-time strings performer, a role he juggles
today with training new band members as the
shows strings trainer.
It was defnitely a process, Gomez noted. I
didnt just walk in and it happened. I was very
persistent.
As one of the strings performers in the
production, Gomez plays several instruments
including guitar, bass, zither and Chapman
Stick. While he and his band mates are given set
pieces of music to perform during the show, the
biggest challenge they face every night is making
sure that music matches the Blue Mens actions.
We have to fgure out a way to sync up with
whatever the Blue Men are doing, Gomez
explained. We have to collaborate in real time,
which can be a challenge creatively, but in a good
way.
One scene in particular where the Blue Men
pick an audience member to join them onstage
for a Twinkie feast really demonstrates just
how in tune the band is with the bald and blue
performers at the center of the show.
We never know whats going to happen, Gomez
stated. On occasion a Blue Man will choose a
guest from the audience and shell stand up, so
well swell the music to a fever pitch, then shell
get startled and sit back down. So we have to
somehow gracefully take the music back down
again until they fnd a more willing participant.
Since Blue Man Group moved to the Monte
Carlo in October 2012, its band members also
perform in a pre-show Procession that winds its
way through the casino foor starting at 6:15 p.m.
It is recommended guests pick up their tickets
in advance so they dont miss the luminescent
attraction. Allegiant passengers receive special
ofers when purchasing their tickets onboard.
Ask your fight attendant for details.
Squonk Opera performs
Blue Man Groups pre-show Procession features members of the Blue Man Group band
Members of the Blue Man Group band perform
one of the shows more euphoric numbers
Members of the Blue Man Group band perform a
song with the Blue Men on the human brain