Since it opened in 2007, the Sharp Aquos Theatre has been a new permanent home for Blue Man Group. The original 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. The setlist ended with a remix finale of "Last Train To Transcentral". In 2012, Blue Man Group introduced a new show as part of Universal's "Year to Be Here" campaign. The new show features new bits, including the "GiPads," "Rods and Cones," a new introduction, and the new "Zygote Finale," featuring Blue Man's Booty Shaker song, all mixed in with classic Blue Man Group comedy from the previous show. Each show lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
History and design
Theatre
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. 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. The theatre is located between the Hard Rock Cafe and the main entrance to Universal Studios Florida. The 1,000-seat theatre features a Blue Man facade, and is accessible both from the Universal CityWalk as well as the Universal Studios theme park. 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. The other zones, Zones 1-4, are arranged to provide the best possible view of the show no matter where you sit. 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. 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. Around January 2, 2012, Nickelodeon Kiosk closed in favor for the Blue Man Store formed on March 1, 2014. Around November 2012, the front wall of Soundstage 18 was repainted with one of the Blue Men holding up the Blue Men Group logo, the "Sharp Aquos Theater" letters on the awning were removed, the box office was redesigned, and the BMG Gear store was redone as well. Around February 2016, the Blue Man Group began expansion into previously abandoned areas of the studio with the first floor and lobby area being repainted to a bright white and renovations beginning backstage.
Lobby
Before entering the main show's theatre, guests enter a Blue Man Group-themed lobby for the Theatre which features full concessions with snacks, cold drinks, and cocktails. Merchandise is also sold in the lobby store, "BMG Gear". 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.
Event space
The Theatre also contains a large space for private events and meetings. This space is located behind the concessions and merchandise areas of the Lobby, and is accessible from the lobby and from outside of the building. This area is the former "Game Lab" portion of Nickelodeon Studios.
Ticket and group options
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$60.00-$199.00 for ages 10 to Adult, and $30.00 – $149.00 for ages 3 to 9, both depending upon the locations of the seats. In addition to normal ticket options, there is also a special choice for Florida residents which includes hotel accommodations at Universal Orlando Resort, and tickets cost less for both adults and children. 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 box office 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.
