I admit to being a Blue Man Group novice, so all you die-hards out there please cut me some slack. And after seeing Blue Man Group's "How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.1" at the Bradley Center last night, I know there are a lot of passionate fans out there.

Although the BC was perhaps one-third full -- or so -- what was immediately clear upon entering is that these three, blue, wide-eyed percussionists draw a diverse crowd with their over the top rock that lays a bed for humor, stunning visual effects and quirky percussion instruments.

There were plenty of kids under 10, more than a few people old enough to have adult grandchildren and pretty much everyone in between.

Why they're so devoted is easy to see, too. Although Blue Man Group is obviously meant to be a little clueless -- with the astonished stares of a zoo koala or maybe an E.T. -- the trio is well aware that involving the audience is the fastest way into the heart of a crowd.

So, a few people were tugged -- not entirely unwillingly -- onto the stage, and the blue men made more than a couple forays out into the audience.

The show's shtick was that Blue Man Group -- three percussionists and a hyper-percussive rocktet in a supporting role -- has ordered an instruction manual on how to be a rock star (sold by Rod Popeil, "brother" of Ron Popeil, and played by SNL's Fred Armisen, who was once a supporting drummer for BMG in Chicago).

Throughout the show, a guileless narrator explains the various key points of a successful concert experience and the blue men try to incoporate the various hand gestures and dance moves into the show.

But, as fun and funny as it is, it's all a pretense for the neon outfits (think fahrfenugen), constantly zapping video screens, and blue men tapping out high-energy beats on length of PVC pipe, creating a turntable-like whoosh with long skinny poles and thumping that amazingly thunderous bass drum.

The show is entirely high-energy except for the between-song action at which points the spectacle either allows breathing room or sags into a lull, depending on how engaging the shtick is at the moment.

The music is high-flying and incorporates the expected -- Devo's' "Whip It" -- and the unexpected -- Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" and Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" -- and while it might not be music you'd rock out to in the car, it's pitch perfect as fuel for the Blue Man Group.

Opening the show was San Francisco turntablist Mike Relm, whose hardcore skills on the wheels of steel were rhythmically linked to video clips of all stripes -- Borat and Ali G, Peanuts, professional wrestling, Pee Wee Herman.

Relm also drew on a wide range of music, from Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" to Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence" and although the audience seemed politely attentive, Relm's skillful histrionics often got lost as the crowd appeared more interested in watching the videoclips.