Blue Man Group to play The Lyric

Daniel Carter has been feeling blue for the past decade – and he couldn’t be happier.

When the London native isn’t in England enjoying one passion – cheering for his beloved West Ham United soccer team – he’s immersed in his other love: performing.

Carter has starred in shows such as “Les Misérables,” “Taboo” and “We Will Rock You” in London’s West End, but it has been his most recent role where he’s made his biggest statement.

By not saying a word.

For 22 hours a day, he’s 36-year-old Daniel Carter. But for two hours each day he becomes a nameless humanoid when he’s covered in blue from head to toe as a member of “Blue Man Group,” the inquisitive and mysterious foursome who says a lot without speaking.

The Blue Man Group’s ability to turn anything into an instrument and penchant for involving paint in nearly everything it does has delighted the more than 35 million people who have watched it perform in 15 countries since 1991.

“When you put on the blue you become totally immersed in the group,” Carter said during a phone interview. “You are a completely different person. When I’m not performing, I can go on the street and not get noticed. But as a member of the Blue Man Group, everyone knows who you are.”

But Carter’s latest stint with Blue Man Group is nearing an end. Blue Man Group plays The Lyric on June 17-18 as part of what will be its final U.S. tour for a few years so producers “can revamp the show,” Carter said.

However, Blue Man Group’s stationary shows in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and Orlando will continue. Carter said he’ll join Blue Man Group in one of those cities after taking a break.

Carter and Americans Steven Wendt, Ethan Goulb and Adam Erdossy don the iconic blue during the U.S. tour, but only three perform the 100-minute show each night as part of a rotation. But the show stays true to its roots that date to 1991 in New York City, when Chris Wink, Phil Stanton and Matt Goldman staged small street performances that eventually landed them gigs in the city’s downtown clubs and the small off-Broadway Astor Place Theatre.

None of the Blue Men speak during the performance, which uses outrageous lighting, music, drums and paint to communicate with the crowd, which plays an active role in the show.

“You don’t have to speak to communicate,” Carter said. “Our show transcends the way people communicate. We’ve played all over the world and communication is one thing everyone has in common. You can communicate through music and you can communicate through color. The way we communicate unifies everybody because we don’t use one certain language. We communicate in a way that people from every race and culture can understand.”

Blue Man Group is in constant movement on stage so it maintains its connection with the audience.

“We are big on using drums and we have a six-foot tall drum,” Carter said. “When we hit it, you just don’t hear it. You feel it. The people feel the sound hit them. You don’t have many experiences like that because Blue Man Group isn’t your typical show. You just don’t show up, grab a playbill and take your seat and know what to expect. Our shows are always changing because the audience is such a big part of it.”

Blue Man Group

Where: The Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric

When: June 17 at 8 p.m.; June 18 at 5 p.m.

Tickets: Click here.