The Blue Man Group, by far Off-Broadway's most popular show, will be performing in Japan for the first time this winter -- and throughout next spring.

A special theater dedicated to their performance will open in Tokyo's Roppongi district on Dec. 1, great news for Japanese audience who have waited fervently to se them live here.

The Blue Man Group was created in New York City back in the late 1980s, when its three founding members, including Matt Goldman, started to give street performances.

In 1991, the three men painted themselves in blue from the neck up and started to give comical performances. Since then, the show has gained constant popularity over the past 16 years, and now seven cities across the globe have hosted the show.

So, what's the secret behind their long-standing popularity?

First of all, the Blue Man Group show doesn't have lines in any particular language, which makes it easier for audiences like the Japanese to understand their performance.

Just step into the Astor Place Theater in New York, where the Blue Man show is played, and you see a lot of Japanese couples. While they find it difficult to enjoy Broadway shows that are predominantly in English, Off-Broadway gives them a chance to enjoy the show without language worries.

Secondly, the Blue Man show brings the performers and the audience together. Blue Man Group actors walk through the seats and invites watchers onto the stage, or allows spectators to join the show by letting them play with toilet paper.

Finally, their artistic quality is very high, especially in musical and theatrical senses. Blue Man Group members tap on metal barrels filled with water, and the water splashes out in colorful illumination. The sound of beating the barrels, coupled with the back-up band music, and the luminous splash of water make an overwhelming view.

Goldman, one of the three founding members of Blue Man Group, told the Mainichi, "It has been our long-held dream to put on a show in Japan. A lot of Japanese who visited New York asked us, 'So, when are you guys coming to Japan?' and we always felt bad about that. Now, they have a theater just for us.

"People often ask us what the theme of Blue Man is, and we think that it's human bonds and passion. With our Japanese version of theater, we would like to incorporate Japanese pop culture, animation and technology into our show, making it a Tokyo-exclusive performance."