BLUE MAN GROUP PARTNERS WITH “AUTISM SPEAKS” TO CREATE AN AUTISM-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014 AT 4 P.M.

Modest Alterations to be Made to Accommodate Individuals with Autism  $5 of Every Ticket Purchased for the Performance will be Donated to Autism Speaks Here at ChiIL Mama, we're all about accessible theatre and Chicago excels at presenting autism friendly shows, signed performances for the deaf, amplification sets for the hearing impaired and other accommodations. We're thrilled to add Blue Man Group, long time favs of ours, to the cadre of theaters offering autism friendly performances.   Check out our past Blue Man Features here, including loads of original photos, show reviews and more.  We've included some of our favorite shots below. Blue Man Group and Autism Speaks announce a dynamic partnership that will provide individuals with autism a slightly modified performance of the critically hailed Blue Man Group. On Sunday, October 26 at 4 p.m., at the Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted Street) minor changes will be made to the performance including, the reduction of sound levels at select moments during the performance. Headphones also will be available upon request. In addition, Blue Man Group will also be creating a calming environment in the lobby with bean bags, dim lights and quiet corners for anyone seeking a sensory break from the high-energy fun of the show. All tickets will be sold at $49 with $5 of every ticket purchased donated to Autism Speaks. For more information and tickets please visit: http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/4inhh5.  “Those with autism often experience hypersensitivity, anxiety and difficulty communicating, making it challenging to attend events in large public settings,” said Mary Rios, Manager of Field Development, Chicagoland Chapter of Autism Speaks. “We are so excited that ‘Blue Man Group’ has made an autism-friendly performance available for the autism community, allowing them to experience something that others may take for granted. We are thankful to have amazing partners in the ‘Blue Man Group,’ who will also be donating a portion of ticket sales back to Autism Speaks.” About Blue Man Group  Blue Man Group is a unique and thrilling multi-sensory experience that fuses innovative theatrical spectacle and powerful original music with hilarious comedy to create a performance experience unlike any other. The iconic, silent, inquisitive Blue Man character has remained consistent since the show’s opening, but the world he reacts to is continuously changing, allowing for a production that continuously evolves. One of the world’s most popular theatrical productions, today’s Blue Man Group is a blend of signature material that has been in the show since the opening, as well as newer passages that examine the influence of technology on today’s world with a funny and perceptive look at contemporary communication vehicles. The performance then closes with a pulsating finale that has audiences up and out of their seats, featuring an original Blue Man Group music score. Chris Jones from the Chicago Tribune gave the show a Four Star rating and said the material was “brilliantly revamped” and “truly joyous.” After seeing the most recent material, Hedy Weiss for the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “The show's creators have cleverly updated the production with new wizardry while retaining its essential mind-set.” Chicago Parent editor Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy said “the coolest blue guys in Chicago just got cooler.” Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin and on tour throughout the U.S. Blue Man Group can also be seen onboard the Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line – the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group.  The company’s music, featuring custom made instruments and signature, percussive sound, can be heard on five albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Audio,” as well as various film and television projects. As the company grows, it remains true to its vision of providing exciting experiences in a variety of media, appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds.  Blue Man Group Ticket Information Tickets are available from $49-$99. Tickets may be purchased at the Briar Street Theatre by calling the box office at (773) 348-4000; by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787; at all Ticketmaster ticket centers or via the Internet at: www.ticketmaster.com/bluemanchicago.  For more information, visit www.blueman.com/chicago. About Autism Speaks Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Their longtime friend Bernie Marcus donated $25 million to help financially launch the organization. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead. www.autismspeaks.org.