The Blue Man Group, a renowned performing arts ensemble, established a significant presence at Universal Orlando Resort with a live residency show that captivated audiences for over a decade. From its opening on June 6, 2007, until its conclusion on February 1, 2021, this residency offered a unique blend of the group's signature musical and humorous performances. The show became a distinct attraction within Universal CityWalk Orlando, requiring separate
admission from the theme parks, underscoring its status as a premier entertainment offering.
The Venue: From Nickelodeon Studios to Sharp Aquos Theatre
Universal Orlando officially announced the Blue Man Group's residency on November 9, 2006, with construction for the new theater commencing shortly thereafter. The chosen location was Soundstage 18, a space with its own history, having previously housed Nickelodeon Studios from 1990 to 2005 within Universal Orlando's production facilities. This soundstage, situated behind Universal CityWalk's Hard Rock Cafe, was transformed into a dedicated 1,000-seat theater for the Blue Man Group.
The theater's seating was thoughtfully organized into five distinct "zones." Among these, the "Poncho Zone" was particularly notable, comprising the first four rows. Guests in this area were advised that it was a highly probable "splash" zone and were provided with a poncho as part of their admission. For convenient access to the venue without requiring theme park admission, a walkway was constructed between the Universal Studios Florida theme park and the resort's Hard Rock Cafe. The former Nickelodeon Studios entrance within the theme park was repurposed as an attended exit leading directly to the venue's entrance. From its opening in June 2007 until 2012, the theater was sponsored and known as the Sharp Aquos Theatre.
Show Evolution and Eventual Closure
Throughout its run, the Blue Man Group's show at Universal Orlando featured various bits and routines that had become famous hallmarks of the group, alongside a setlist drawn from their discography. A notable element was a remix finale of "Last Train To Trancentral." In 2012, as part of Universal Orlando's "Year to Be Here" campaign, the show underwent a revamp. This update introduced new segments and a new finale set to their "Booty Shaker" song, while still retaining classic comedic elements from their earlier performances. Each show typically lasted approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Between October and November 2008, the pathway to the venue was temporarily rerouted to accommodate the construction of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster, which opened in 2009. Further changes included the closure of the Nickelodeon Kiosk in January 2012, making way for the Blue Man Store, which opened on March 1, 2014. In November 2012, the exterior of Soundstage 18 was repainted with a Blue Man holding the group's logo, the "Sharp Aquos Theatre" signage was removed, and both the box office and the BMG Gear store were redesigned. The venue saw further expansion and renovation in February 2016, utilizing previously abandoned areas of the studio, with the first floor and lobby receiving a fresh repaint. The residency ultimately closed along with the rest of the resort in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida. Performances remained on hiatus when the resort reopened later that year, and in February 2021, the Blue Man Group officially announced the end of their long-standing residency.
