Hi Sheldon,
Based on the provided detail, we were able to reproduce the reported issue. The problem is related to Visual Studio LibMan, which experiences a performance problem during its initial installation, leading to significant delays. You can find further updates and details about the issue on GitHub at https://github.com/aspnet/LibraryManager/issues/389#issuecomment-1410062988
However, we suggest you select the specific file of the Blazor theme that suits your requirements from LibMan, instead of including all files. This will help reduce the initial installation time.

Regards,
Bharat Ram H