Blasting its way into Cape

A lone drummer stood on stage behind his snare and tapped out a marching rhythm. As the opening number for "Blast!" continued, more brass instruments and drummers filled the stage with their sound, color and light then built to a grandiose explosion.

The Tony Award-winning show "Blast!" combines different musical styles, energetic percussion and vivid visual performance to create a dynamic viewing experience. "Blast!" comes to the Bedell Performance Hall on Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus in Cape Girardeau at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday as part of a 72 city tour.

Attendees can expect "Blast!" to showcase nearly every style of music from classical to jazz, blues, techno, rock, pop, folk and Latin. The show pairs colors with music to lead the audience through the journey. One jazz and blues selection turns the performers and scenery blue. Another arrangement -- an energetic Latin piece -- is red.

"Blast!" consists of 35 members with percussion and brass sections as well as a visual ensemble that interprets the music through dance and color. Percussionist Lance Kindle has toured with "Blast!" since 2005. Kindle has been a musician since he was 10 years old and described touring with the show as "living a dream."

"I grew up a military brat and was always traveling," Kindle said. "Now I get to travel and play drums for a living."

Kindle began with "Blast!" after he watched friends from college perform in a show at the University of Georgia.

"I was really inspired and blown away after I watched my friends on stage," he said. "They always asked if I practiced and sent in my audition tape. A couple years later I did. It really changed my life. I have met great people, have seen different places in the world and was even motivated to get my master's."

Before touring with "Blast!" Kindle taught percussion lessons and joined ensembles for freelance gigs. He said performing with "Blast!" was more active and fun than teaching or playing in an orchestra.

"It is very physically demanding. I basically sweat for two hours on stage," he said.

Kindle said unlike teaching, he sees the results of his work in "Blast!" immediately after a performance.

"We hang out in the lobby after the show, and it's really gratifying to see how happy we make the audience," he said.

"Blast!" is rooted in the drum corps that have played in military parades and the drum lines on football fields. James Mason, creator of "Blast!" began with the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps in 1984. Star toured around the world, won awards and continued to evolve until "Blast!" debuted in 1999.

Tickets range from $33 to $39 and can be purchased at the River Campus' box office by calling 651-2265.