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The Blue Man Group, whose high-energy shows are known for audience participation, now has to deal with some audience litigation.

James Srodon, a grandfather from California, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the group, saying cast members took their surreal antics too far by forcing a video camera down his throat during a performance on Oct. 8, 2006, at the Briar Street Theatre on Chicago's North Side.

The Blue Man actors used the "esophagus cam" to project an image of Srodon's mouth and throat onto a screen for the audience's amusement, according to the suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

But it's clear Srodon would rather the Blue Men stick to face paint and frantic drumming.

Srodon was in the audience with his 8-year-old grandson when the Blue Men approached him, the lawsuit alleges.

The Blue Man actors circled around him, held his neck and arms and "forced his head back" to insert the camera, according to the suit.

Srodon "struggled to free himself and remove the 'esophagus cam' from his mouth but was forcibly restrained by the Blue Man actors," the lawsuit said.

"At the time the 'esophagus cam' was inserted into plaintiff's mouth, it was covered in food, liquid and grime from the Briar Street Theatre floor, including the thick blue paint used to cover the actors' faces," the suit said.

Named as defendants in the suit are Blue Man Productions Inc., theater owner Fox Theatricals and related companies as defendants. Blue Man and Fox officials could not be reached for comment. Srodon did not return a call for comment.

Srodon is seeking unspecified damages of more than $50,000 for battery, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress. He contends the camera injured his mouth, throat and dental work.