BLAST! Kingsbury Hall, through Dec. 8 (581-7100 or 355-2787). Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes (one intermission).
What "Tapdogs" did for metal-tipped shoes, "Blast!" does for trumpets, trombones, snare drums, batons. . . .
And maybe even fluegelhorns and didgeridoos.
From the first soulful sounds of Ravel's "Bolero" to the final passionate notes of Lecuona's "Malaguena," this production's huge cast of incredibly athletic musicians, precision drumline performers and flawlessly choreographed marchers explodes visually and sonically on Kingsbury Hall's stage.
Even without a plot, there is plenty of musical and visual drama.
There aren't 76 trombones — and there's not a single Sousa number on the program — but "Blast!" delivers solid, pulsating excitement.
The soloists in the troupe display extraordinary musicianship.
And they don't just play their various instruments. They march smartly — sideways, and even backward, without tripping even once.
These musical numbers aren't your everyday "marching-band" material.
Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's "Gee, Officer Krupke" gets whimsical treatment in its move from the gritty streets of "West Side Story" onto the Kingsbury Hall stage.
A trombonist rides through on a unicycle.
Another musician plays an accordion.
"Battery Battle" showcases dueling snare drummers — David Brent Ellis vs. Kevin R. Brubaker. Their percussive feud ends in a draw; it's the audience that wins.
Chuck Mangione's "Land of Make Believe" is straight out of the remote jungles of Australia.
Musicians playing didgeridoos — long wooden instruments with a deep, throaty sound — come right down into the aisles, working the audience.
Vincent D. Oliver is featured in a marimba solo in "Spiritual of the Earth," "Marimba Spiritual" and "Earth Beat," a rhythmic medley.
"Blast!" also showcases the intricate, precision routines of an extraordinary drill-and-flag team.
Giant flags fly through the air as they're tossed back and forth, and an assortment of batons and stylistic rifles are twirled.
The musical selections range from the cool jazz of "Everybody Loves the Blues" (showcasing trumpeter Adam Rapa's virtuosity) to the exotic, impassioned rhythms of "Lemontech" and "Tangerinamadidge."
The entire production is packaged with brilliant lighting and athletic choreography.
The whole affair is, quite simply, a "Blast!"
E-MAIL: ivan@desnews.com