Front Page     News     Opinion     A & E     Features     Sports     Back Page     Archive     Staff     Contact

OTHER FEATURE STORIES - Insider's thoughts on Blast - One student reflects on his experiences with the miricle of life Blast, Flashy yet a let down Chris Austin Ebbtide Reporter Blast represents everything good about the drum corps minus the homecoming game theatrics. In blast, the genre is taken off the football field and placed in a performing arts setting. Here, amongst the lighting, choreography, and set design of theater, drum corps is able to express itself on its own terms. This was was apparent from the opening score as the stage set was revealed. Photo courtesy of www.blasttheshow.com On a two-storied backdrop-I don't quite want to compare it to Hollywood Squares-were six boxes inside each of which were various percussion set-ups, including a drum set, tympanis and gongs. The accoutrements of the flag corps/dancers were also more of the stage than the gridiron. Even when traditional items were employed, they had been modified: rifles into blades of grass, flags into shimmering banners of satin, thrown across the stage like streamers. Just as often, these items were replaced with snakes or glowing staffs of light. The glowing stick motif was also used effectively by the drummers, giving heightened presence to the centuries-old, parade-ground standard of sticks raised and twirled in unison. As greater vibrancy and nuance were brought to the stage, they used the more intimate setting to bring stage into the audience. During intermission, a line of five drummers snaked their way through the lobby and set up an impromptu stage on the landing of the staircase. With four drummers playing snare parts on wooden stools and the other playing bass on a plastic garbage can, it was not the most original act, but was done with enthusiasm and kept the crowd entertained. During the second act, the audience interaction continued with the horn players fanning out into the aisles and up into the balconies. The evening ended, almost predictably by this point with the entire entourage marching off-stage, down the main aisles and through the lobby (again). As much as I appreciated the cast's earnest attempt to take us on a spirited and inspiring journey to the next level of drum corps evolution, it was not worth the $40-54 ticket price. (The $15 side balcony? If you're a real aficionado.) In the end, what is still basically a dressed-up half-time show doesn't justify Broadway ticket prices. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™