Show Business

There’s a reason business theater isn’t just called…theater. For one thing, business theater aims for more than just the entertainment value of telling, say, the untold story of the witches of Oz — it aims to use an engaging format to impart important corporate messages.

At the same time, all business and no theater makes for a dull event, one that is not likely to create the emotional resonance that makes your message so impactful. Fortunately, two productions that know a little something about entertainment — “Le Scandal” out of New York City and the Blue Man Group’s show out of Las Vegas — have entered the corporate event market. And they’re ready to get down to business.

From New York with Love

You have to be exceptional to be the longest-running burlesque show (six years and counting) in the ultimate market: New York City. “Le Scandal” is, indeed, exceptional — and it aims to share that status with your next event.

“Our success in New York has been predicated on the fact that ‘Le Scandal’ has almost universal appeal and the ability to change the show to keep it fresh,” says the show’s star and producer, Bonnie Dunn. “These same qualities make it perfect for corporate meetings, events and private affairs.”

“Le Scandal” has three separate and singular components: live music, circus-style acts such as sword swallowing or magicians, and showgirl events. The show, which entered the corporate event market in September, presents these individual performers in a forum that’s strung together by an emcee. Thus each element can be mixed and matched to present a show customized according to varying schedules and demographics.

For example, watching a performer do an impossible trick could emphasize a theme of “nothing is impossible” to the audience. A show that is geared to a more conservative audience would emphasize elements such as magic, sword swallowing and singing and de-emphasize the risqué portions of the show. A more liberal show would do the opposite.

With the aid of her veteran house band, the NYC Blue Devils, Dunn is able to select pieces of the show and weave them together to form a unified message to inform and educate a business audience. And the Devils are old hands at corporate events — they recently played at a corporate function for Nike, their bandleader has written music for several corporate events, and their “home theater,” The Cutting Room, hosts parties for many different companies at which they perform.

That’s another thing about “Le Scandal.” It can either be performed at a corporate location, or at The Cutting Room theater in New York (where Dunn employs the culinary talents of a chef from the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant). The show can also hit the road — all Dunn requires is a basic sound system. Thus, as spokesperson Wayne Schaffel noted, the show is extremely cost-effective. “It can be performed for less than the cost of most laser shows,” he says.

Dunn is a veteran performer with an international resume and a list of film and recording credits. She has been producing and booking shows for 20 years, and knows how to craft a show to please an audience — be it the Thai Royal Family or a room full of corporate executives.

“Le Scandal is entertainment with top-of-the-line performers that has universal appeal,” she says. “It can adopt any number of genres and themes, and leave your business event with the proper message.”
For more information, visit www.lescandal.com.

You’ll Want to Have these Blues

Not all Vegas entertainers would be right for corporate groups, but when McDonald’s needed to inspire and encourage its managers, it turned to Blue Man Group, which is currently performing at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Incorporating the company’s message — and the company’s products — Blue Man completed a series of two-a-day shows for the fast-food giant.

For Adrian Fischer, the group’s managing director, the show’s versatility means that groups of all kinds can benefit.

“We can incorporate themes like teamwork, respect, innovation and enthusiasm into the show,” Fischer says. “There are many ways Blue Man Group can be customized and personalized for your group. … The show can speak to virtually any message.”

The customization starts with a pre-show introduction by a group executive that utilizes company messages and notes to colleagues on LED lights. Other personalized aspects of a Blue Man show can include having a VIP or other corporate figure as a pre-selected guest during one of the interactive on-stage portions of the show, and having the company jingle drummed by the Blue Men during the show.

In addition, the length of the performance can be customized to fit any event, as well as which musical pieces the group will perform.

Blue Man finds crafting shows specifically geared to business events “a wonderful and interesting creative challenge,” says LeeAnn Groff-Daudet, the group’s director of external affairs.

Another benefit of Blue Man is that the show can be performed either at the group’s special Blue Man Theater in Las Vegas or at another location.

“We can perform in many different types of settings,” says Fisher. For bigger productions, the group needs a longer lead time, she adds.

Another bonus of the show is its universality, as it appeals to many different audiences and is extremely family-friendly.
According to Groff-Daudet, Blue Man has performed approximately 24 corporate shows in the past year. So far, it has about 20 lined up for 2007.

Blue Man’s corporate shows have drawn rave reviews from its audiences, says Groff-Daudet.

“The Blue Man shows are really a group experience,” notes Groff-Daudet. “It really takes a corporate event to another level.

The show leaves you with a wonderful sense of community.”

For more information, visit www.blueman.com.