A Conversation with Anthony Parrulli - Blue Man Group

Anthony Parrulli is a multi-talented performer whose talents span almost his entire life, and developing even as a child. Percussion seems to have always been his outlet and main source of strive. From drumming in his elementary school days, to drum line in college, even right up to joining Disney World's famous Jammitors team at Epcot theme park, Anthony has always found his niche, and in some cases, the niche found him.

Anthony's ultimate goal in life was to become a part of Blue Man Group, one of the better known groups of percussionists in the world. After a little patience with casting directors, and gaining some much needed acting experience from performing at Disney in Jammitors, he had all the skills he needed to become bald and blue. Parrulli started performing around 1999 in New York City's Astor Place Theatre, the original home of Blue Man Group, and in the heart of the city's creative town, Greenwich Villiage. Little did he know, that Blue Man Group had bigger plans for his career, and the training/experience he got from performing in New York, Boston and Chicago landed him the role of a lifetime on the Las Vegas strip at Luxor Hotel and Casino in 2000. Anthony also opened up for the currnent Blue Man Vegas venue at the Venetian Hotel Casino and Resort right on the Vegas strip.

Originating from the Tampa, FL area, once Parrulli heard the opening of the Orlando venue at the Universal Studios Resorts and Theme Parks, he knew his life, in some way, had come full circle. Now, Anthony resides in Orlando, FL, and currently fullfils a busy work load as Blue Man Group senior captain, performing for The Jammitors at Disney's Epcot theme park, and persuing his own musical flare with his funked out rock band, The Schmeltz, deemed, "The world's greatest opening band," by themselves of course. You can catch Anthony all over Orlando these days, whether he's bald and blue, banging on trash cans, decked out in rock star sunglasses and a pink feather neck garment singing pop culture parody spoofs or even dawning his family tradition Scottish kilt and performing on the bagpipes. Sometimes in life, success isn't measured by how much you do, but ultimately by how you do it. In Anthony Parrulli's case, it seems things are just getting started and no end is in site.

Special thanks to Blue Man Group Orlando and Universal Studios Orlando for use of their facility during the filming and recording of this interview. Also, a special thanks goes out to Joe Chabus who helped Drummer Connection organize and plan this interview.