PREVIEW 'Blast!': Like visual explosion

The production will be staged at Powers Auditorium.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Tony Award-winning theatrical production "Blast!" is as universally acclaimed as it is hard to describe.
"It's a celebration of instrumental music and outdoor marching pageantry, put in a theatrical setting," says James Mason, artistic director. "It's almost like animation, only the animation comes to life with real people playing the music and interpreting it visually."
The highly choreographed "Blast!" features a 28-man troupe of athletic musicians and performers, who use some very obscure percussion (ever heard of a guiro? how about a surdo?) and brass instruments. The music is complemented by performers who spin and toss unusual objects, as well as sabers and color flags, in a synchronized, balletlike drill.
Coming to Valley
The touring company has drawn rave reviews in cities across the country. Mahoning Valley residents can write their own description after "Blast!" plays Powers Auditorium two nights, Monday and Tuesday.
"It's a visual show, with no storyline," according to the conductor, Wesley Bullock. "It has its roots in a drum corps, but has gone in a completely different direction. It's more along the lines of "Stomp" or "Blue Man Group" or "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk."
"Blast!" is based on the color spectrum. "It examines the emotional content of color through movement and music," said Bullock.
The production grew from a drum corps called Star of Indiana, and is still based in Bloomington, Ind. But according to Bullock, "'Blast!' is to a drum corps what 'Riverdance' is to a clogging festival."
New musical genre
Mason calls the show a new musical genre. "Taking what Star of Indiana did on a football field, shrinking it to a theater, staging it with bold, theatrical lighting, set design and sound enhancement is really a challenge."
In the first act, "Blast!" uses cool colors and the show is somewhat aloof, according to Mason. In the second act, warm colors are explored and the audience interaction begins.
The members of the troupe must combine musicianship and athleticism.