Percussion show ‘Blast!' a hit at Bedell

Audience members watched Wednesday as 35 brass and percussion players performed numbers in various musical styles such as classical, blues, rock 'n' roll, jazz and techno-pop during "Blast!" at the Bedell Performance Hall.

"Blast!", which made its theater debut in 1999, originated as the drum corps Star of Indiana. Under the direction of James Mason, it has since evolved into the Tony-Award winning show it is today. It draws inspiration from military and outdoor pageantry, drum corps, bands and color guards.

The show features dancing and choral performances in addition to the instrumentals. The performers incorporated their instruments into the performance, as well as colored flags in "Color Wheel" and chairs in "Everybody Loves the Blues" and "Loss."

"Everybody Loves the Blues" was one of the blues-inspired numbers. It featured an upbeat trumpet solo by Courtlon Cochran and received much applause and laughter from the audience.

Seven hundred and seventeen people attended the show.

Jill Janet and her son Jake were in the audience. Janet said she brought her son because he was interested in all genres of music and "is an excellent drummer."

Season-ticket holders Judy and Jerry McDowell also attended the show. Jerry McDowell said they just moved here and wanted "to partake of what Cape Girardeau has to offer."

"We are thrilled with what we've seen so far," Judy McDowell said.

SEMO alumna Mary Fox attended "to support the cultural things of the college."