'Blue Man Group' exhibition lights up Stepping Stones

The Blue Man Group has dazzled audiences with its potpourri of percussive instruments, wildly rhythmic music and eye-popping special effects.

Fans of the electrifying trio will have the chance to step into the group's shoes -- minus the blue face paint -- in a new exhibition, "Blue Man Group -- Making Waves," at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk.

In the exhibition, opening Saturday, May 19, visitors may compose their own creations on a bevy of BMG-inspired instruments (PVC tubes, tube phones, a theremin organ) while producing visual effects (pulsing black-lights, digital sound waves) that recall the group's dynamic live performances.

"The big overarching ideas behind the exhibit is the science of sound," said director of exhibit design Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill.

Visitors can speak into a series of tube phones and hear their voices played back with echo, distortion and reverb; strike an assortment of color-coded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes to create a variety of tones; and bang a sand drum to produce aural vibrations that form resonance patterns in sand.

The exhibition culminates in an intimate surround-sound theater, which plays a Blue Man Group song written specifically for the exhibition.

Created by the Boston Children's Museum and Blue Man Group, the 1,500-square-foot exhibition creates "a very authentic experience" that will "encourage visitors to learn, play and explore with the same curiosity as the renowned performing artists," Cifaldi-Morrill said.

Formed in New York City by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton, Blue Man Group is known for its popular theatrical shows and concerts, which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics.

The company applies its creative process to a wide variety of projects, including live productions and original recordings. All of the group's appearances star a trio of performers called Blue Men, who all wear blue makeup and bald caps.

With "Blue Man Group -- Making Waves," the group is venturing into new realms of entertainment -- and learning.

"After years of being able to express ourselves creatively on stage, it has become increasingly important to us to develop experiences that encourage and expand the creative development of others, particularly children and their parents," Wink said in a statement. "We're very excited to see this exhibit come to life."

Stepping Stones, 303 West Ave., Norwalk. through Sunday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15, free under 1. 203-899-0606, www.steppingstonesmuseum.org.

scott.gargan@scni.com; 203-964-2238; http://twitter.com/scottgarg