An audience member at a Blue Man Group show got more than he paid for when a camera was allegedly shoved into his esophagus as part of the performance.
California native James Srodon took his 8-year-old grandson to a Blue Man Group performance at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., on October 8, 2006, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court Wednesday.
Srodon and the child took their seats and watched as the Blue Man actors used a variety of props during the show, according to the lawsuit. Food and liquids were “often sprayed into the audience,” and much of the debris ended up on the theatre floor.
The “messy” factor is expressed on the Blue Man Group’s website, urging audience members to wear casual attire in case their clothing becomes soiled during the performance.
What Srodon didn’t expect was having a “food and grime” covered camera forced into his mouth.
The suit claims the Blue Man actors “circled” Srodon and inserted the esophagus cam—a video camera with a light attached to a long cord—into his mouth.
Srodon claims the actors held his shoulders, neck and arms and forced his neck back, causing him to open his mouth “without notice” and “against his will.”
According to the suit, the camera was allegedly covered with food, liquid, grime from the floor of the theatre and thick blue paint used to cover the actor’s faces.
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Srodon “struggled to free himself” and remove the camera, but claims he was forcibly restrained.
The camera projected an image of his mouth and throat onto a large screen, the suit said.
Srodon is suing Blue Man Productions, Fox Beverages, Inc., the Briar Street Theatre and Cabaret Co., Swell Pictures, Inc. Fox Theatricals, LLC and Fox Associates for the incident, which allegedly caused injury to his throat and mouth and required him to have dental work performed.
Srodon accuses all affiliated with the actors of battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
He wants more than $600,000 in damages, plus fees.
A Blue Man Group representative was not immediately available for comment.
California native James Srodon took his 8-year-old grandson to a Blue Man Group performance at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., on October 8, 2006, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court Wednesday.
Srodon and the child took their seats and watched as the Blue Man actors used a variety of props during the show, according to the lawsuit. Food and liquids were “often sprayed into the audience,” and much of the debris ended up on the theatre floor.
The “messy” factor is expressed on the Blue Man Group’s website, urging audience members to wear casual attire in case their clothing becomes soiled during the performance.
What Srodon didn’t expect was having a “food and grime” covered camera forced into his mouth.
The suit claims the Blue Man actors “circled” Srodon and inserted the esophagus cam—a video camera with a light attached to a long cord—into his mouth.
Srodon claims the actors held his shoulders, neck and arms and forced his neck back, causing him to open his mouth “without notice” and “against his will.”
According to the suit, the camera was allegedly covered with food, liquid, grime from the floor of the theatre and thick blue paint used to cover the actor’s faces.
hno:Srodon “struggled to free himself” and remove the camera, but claims he was forcibly restrained.
The camera projected an image of his mouth and throat onto a large screen, the suit said.
Srodon is suing Blue Man Productions, Fox Beverages, Inc., the Briar Street Theatre and Cabaret Co., Swell Pictures, Inc. Fox Theatricals, LLC and Fox Associates for the incident, which allegedly caused injury to his throat and mouth and required him to have dental work performed.
Srodon accuses all affiliated with the actors of battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
He wants more than $600,000 in damages, plus fees.
A Blue Man Group representative was not immediately available for comment.
