Following triumphant successes in London, on Broadway, and across North America, BLAST!, winner of the 2001 Tony Award for “Best Special Theatrical Event,” and the 2001 Emmy Award for “Best Choreography,” is coming to the Providence Performing Arts Center, January 13 – 15, 2006.

BLAST! is a celebration of movement and music that almost defies description – and it has left critics everywhere surprised and delighted. Howard Kissel of the New York Daily News says: “What a cast, what a ‘Blast!’ An exhilarating evening.” Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe says, “BLAST! doesn’t falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock n roll, and techno-pop music. BLAST! stands, blows, pounds, marches, and whirls with panache. It sent the full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause [with] the thrill of seeing sheer virtuosity in a different kind of art form. BLAST! is entertainment of a high order.” And Kevin Nance of The Tennessean raves, “I was helpless in the path of this visual and aural juggernaut, which far outdoes [Stomp and Riverdance] with youthful energy and cocky panache. …I had an absolutely marvelous time.”

Born on athletic fields across the nation, BLAST! is a novel art form evolved from the showmanship of outdoor pageantry. A unique experience, BLAST! explodes the genre with the artistry of the theatre. BLAST! is musical spectacle; it is music in motion.

BLAST! evolved from the drum corps Star of Indiana, which was founded in 1984 in Bloomington, Indiana, by businessman Bill Cook to benefit young people in music education. James Mason, the Artistic Director, is a lifelong veteran of drum and bugle corps and other musical activities. In its initial year, Star of Indiana became the first corps ever to place among the top ten corps at the prestigious Drum Corps International World Championships. Star of Indiana improved each year until it became the World Champion in 1991. Competing against other organizations from the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe, Star’s performances revolutionized the world of drum corps, bringing an ever more sophisticated sense of musicianship, exciting showmanship, and dynamic choreography to this wonderful genre. Since 1993, Mr. Mason has been shaping the evolution of Star of Indiana from a competitive, 128 member drum corps, to a theatrical show which brings the power, passion, and precision of outdoor pageantry to the stage in a musical performance now known as BLAST!

BLAST! on tour consists of 35 members, drawn from the world of outdoor pageantry all across North America. There are over 40 world titles held by BLAST! cast members who comprise three performing sections – the brass, percussion, and visual ensembles. The brass instruments are pitched in the standard multi-keys. The percussion section includes drums, mallet instruments, and electronic keyboards. The visual element enhances the show by spinning and tossing unusual implements along with the traditional sabers and colorful flags in perfectly synchronized, ballet-like drill.

The physical and musical demands of the production require that the performers be highly trained athletes who are also world-class musicians. Months of intense training prepare the cast. Rehearsing through heat, cold, dust and rain, they produce thrilling performances where athleticism, musical talent, kaleidoscopic movement, and showmanship merge into an art form that is both compelling and entertaining.

BLAST! is the first subscription offering of the Metals Recycling LLC Contemporary Classics Series and supporting sponsor Cox Communications. The Metals Recycling LLC Contemporary Classics Series continues with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (March 1 – 18) and concludes with ANNIE (May 30 – June 4). Performance times for BLAST! are as follows: Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM, and Sunday at 1PM & 6:30PM. Ticket prices range from $60 – $33. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC’s Box Office window, by calling (401) 421-ARTS, and online at www.ppacri.org. For most shows, discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, contact Paul Hiatt at (401) 421-2997 x 3162 or e-mail phiatt@ppacri.org. For more information on the complete 2005/2006 “Season of Theatrical Treasures,” log onto www.ppacri.org. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]