Blue Man Group to Close Long-Running New York and Chicago Productions After Three Decades

The Blue Man Group, a beloved theatrical spectacle known for its wordless performances featuring percussion, paint, and humor, has announced the closure of its long-running productions in New York and Chicago. The New York show, which has been a staple at the Astor Place Theater in Lower Manhattan since 1991, will take its final bow on February 2, 2025, marking the end of a 33-year run. The Chicago production will close earlier, on January 5, 2025.

The decision to close these productions comes amid significant changes in the Off Broadway landscape, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising production costs and declining audience sizes have pressured many long-running shows to reconsider their sustainability. Despite these challenges, the Blue Man Group will continue to perform in other locations, including Las Vegas, Boston, and Berlin, as well as on tour and aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

The Blue Man Group has had a profound impact on the entertainment industry, evolving from an experimental Off Broadway show into a global phenomenon. Over its three-decade run in New York, the show has performed over 17,000 times, capturing the hearts of millions of audience members. The group is now a subsidiary of Cirque du Soleil and has adapted to changing audience preferences and industry landscapes.

Fans who wish to experience the iconic blue performers in their original New York home have until February 2, 2025, to catch the show. The closure of these productions marks the end of an era but also opens new chapters for the Blue Man Group, including a planned reopening in Orlando next spring after a four-year hiatus).