NCL has announced it is changing the face of cruise line entertainment on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic. In another industry first, the company will welcome Blue Man Group, performing in the 685-seat Epic Theatre.  Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a unique form of entertainment.

The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and from the summer of 2010 this will be seen for the first time at sea only on Norwegian Epic.
    
“NCL has spent 42 years breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising and redefining what it means to be innovative. Now, with Norwegian Epic, we are re-inventing cruise ship entertainment by offering multiple entertainment options for every taste and any age,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s chief executive officer.

“Having a world class creative organisation like Blue Man Group headline the entertainment on Norwegian Epic will provide our guests with a sensory experience unlike any other at sea.”

Norwegian Epic will have multiple, specially-designed entertainment venues throughout the ship so that guests can choose from a wide variety of entertainment each evening of their cruise.  Entertainment will no longer be focused on two nightly shows in one large main theatre. Norwegian Epic takes Freestyle Cruising to the next level by offering a number of entertainment options in specially-designed venues, some offered for the first time ever at sea, with choices to appeal to a broad audience.

Epic’s Spiegel Tent will be the only “big top” at sea. In this intimate 265-seat theatre-in-the-round, famed producer/director Neil Goldberg will present Cirque Dreams and Dinner – a one of a kind interactive theatrical dining experience performed in the air while juggling dinner courses with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination.

The 280-seat Headliners Comedy Club will feature the improvisational comedy of famed sketch and improvisation troupe The Second City. The ensemble will perform a special customised comedy revue of satirical skits, songs and inventive improvisation, whist the venue’s design centres on a show lounge format with a small raised stage, concrete floors and brick walls with a full bar.

At Fat Cats guests can sit back and relax listening to the cool vibes of jazz and blues in this 200-seat jazz club.  Fat Cats will feature nightly live blues and jazz performances by world-class talent as its urban setting creates a hipster vibe complete with full bar and comfortable leather sofas and chairs.

The Epic Casino is NCL’s largest at sea, spanning more than 13,000 square feet.  It features an elegant Monte Carlo inspired design theme and is open to Taste, the Atrium restaurant below and to the excitement of Bar Central above.

In addition, the Epic Theatre will be home to another featured show, details of which will be announced later this year.