Blast!

For those of us who could not attend the opening and closing ceremonies at the recent Olympics in Sydney, Blast! is a satisfying substitute. Its nonstop energy and innovative rhythms capture the exhilaration one would have expected to share as part of the festivities in Australia.

For no good reason other than to celebrate music and the full spectrum of the human spirit, the talents of Blast! put forth an electrifying spectacle. While the cast of 60 numbers far fewer than the hundreds who performed for Olympic-sized crowds, they more than makes up for their lack of numbers with an impressive range of musical performance Like Stomp, which it resembles in terms of entertainment value, Blast! is far easier to enjoy than describe. It's an athletic half time show of dizzying proportions, involving dozens of instruments beyond the typical drum and bugle corps. Some numbers include dance; at other times, the cast breaks into song. The tempo shifts from upbeat ("Appalachian Spring" by A. Copeland) to sensual (Ravel's "Bolero") to somber ("Medea" by S. Barber). The most humorous addition is certainly the crowd-pleasing "Gee, Officer Krupke" from West Side Story. Instead of staging a gang rumble with knives, the cast demonstrates its bravado with dueling instruments.

The evening's most unusual offering is a call-and-response number featuring the Australian didgeridoo, a hollowed out tree branch with a distinctive, resonating tone. Some 18 musicians surround the audience and let the didgeridoos' tones ebb and flow across the auditorium. Sets are basically non-existent, and the same can be said for the costumes, which show little variation from black jumpsuits. Lighting effects are spectacular, however, turning this show into an eye-filling spectacle.

The founders of the Star of Indiana drum corps deserve credit for taking a highly talented, dedicated troupe of musical performers -- now mainly in their mid-20s -- and creating a show that transcends the athletic arena. As its title indicates, Blast! will not be remembered for its subtlety. It's a highly charged, feel-good expression of youth and talent, channeled into a musical venue.