Choking On Blue

The Blue Man Group was forced to break the silence and reveal the secret behind one of their stunts after a concertgoer filed a lawsuit January 23rd, claiming he suffered an injured esophagus and then nightmares after a 2006 performance.

James Srodon, 59, who attended a show at Briar Street Theatre in Chicago, said that one Blue Man grabbed him from behind and pulled his head back and then another cast member shoved a camera down his throat, according to the Chicago Tribune.

BMG uses the device as a punch line when the three blue guys take
"a closer look" at their audience. Srodon said the camera was filthy, covered in "food, liquid and grime," forcing him to have his blood tested to make sure he hadn’t contracted a disease.

A few days later he started to choke and gag and doctors determined he suffered "a traumatic contusion" to the esophagus, Srodon lawyer Antonio Romanucci said.

"It was a very unsettling feeling," Srodon said. "I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t swallow anything. … It was just awful."

In actuality, the comedic bit producers call the "Esophagus Video," which has been played in more than 50,000 performances over the last 15 years, is all just an illusion, Blue Man Productions says.

In response to the lawsuit, the Blue Man Group revealed that a camera is held near an audience member’s mouth and then a jumbo video screen switches to a pre-recorded medical video, making it seem as though the camera is peering down the volunteer’s throat.

"We are disappointed that this false claim forces us to reveal the truth behind one of our most popular theatrical devices," Blue Man Productions said in a statement, calling the stunt a "hilarious and absurd illusion."

"Because the camera never enters the mouth, the execution of this illusion could not possibly put anyone at risk of injury."

"Because the camera never enters the mouth, the execution of this illusion could not possibly put anyone at risk of injury."

Illusion or not, Srodon’s lawyer said it was a "stunt that went too far" for his client.

Srodon’s lawyer claimed that he tried unsuccessfully to settle the dispute out of court but the Blue Man Group said in its statement that it was "shocked and surprised" to learn of the lawsuit, adding that it hadn’t been served with legal papers.

Srodon was still seeking unspecified damages for battery, negligence and infliction of emotional stress at press time.

Srodon was still seeking unspecified damages for battery, negligence and infliction of emotional stress at press time.