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‘Blast’ Returns to Fox Theater stage January 18-20, 2008

Following triumphant successes in London, on Broadway and across North America, BLAST!, winner of the 2001 TonyâAward for Best Theatrical Event and the 2001 EmmyâAward for Best Choreography, will make a return engagement to the Fox Theatre January 18-20, 2008.

Curtain times for the Dance St. Louis presentation are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.  Fox Associates Charitable Foundation’s Fifth Annual Kids’ Night on Broadway will be Saturday, January 19 at 2 p.m. 

BLAST!, a celebration of movement and music, almost defies description—but it has left critics everywhere surprised and delighted.  Kevin Johnson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch raved, “An explosive musical blowout…BLAST! ultimately leaves its audience begging for more.” 

“A unique, joyous and dazzlingly professional piece of stagecraft,” hailed Dennis Brown of the Riverfront Times.  And Bruce McCabe of the Boston Globe said, “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.”

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.  Described by Richard Christiansen of the Chicago Tribune “’Blast!’ And a truer word was never spoken.  A terrific good time…explosive entertainment.  It is indeed a blast.”

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. The 

Artistic  Director  James  Mason,  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, 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.