Stomp is one my favorite musical entertainment experiences. Being a drummer, I’m all about rhythm. And this is what Stomp is…rhythm. We have all “whistled while we worked” but how about composing thrilling, polyrhythmic, comedic dance extravaganzas while sweeping the floor? Stomp does that and more!
I have been lucky to have seen Stomp three times over the past 15 years. I caught my first glimpse of Stomp on an HBO special they produced called “Stomp Out Loud” back in 1997. They traveled from the stage to the roof tops of Queens, the streets (and sewers) of Manhattan, through a kitchen and then back to the stage in a tantalizing, as well as death defying, rhythmic journey. I was hooked. From then on anything I did pretty much became a Stomp routine. Stomp even invited me to audition for them when their Boston show was set to open back in 2003. My family were planning a move to Los Angeles and getting a role in Stomp would have been the only thing that would have kept me on the East Coast.
Fast forward 10 years later and while cherishing my chance to audition and even drum and dance for Luke Cresswell (the creator of Stomp) I did not make it. Stomp, however, lives on without me and is in the LA area taking residency in the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills. I was invited to a show to attend with my family and we were amazed!
If you have not seen Stomp live, you need to attend this unique experience. There is some serious rhythm and music being created on stage with some of the most obvious tools. You may have seen the brooms, but they use rubber tubing, sinks, giant barrels and tires, plastic bags and even hang from the rafters banging on everything else we might never think of as an instrument. Plus the body percussion goes light years beyond your typical “We Will Rock You” beat. These people can move! You would think the ideas would be quite abstract and relentless but there is a ton of comedy and character built in to each scene. They take you on an amazing journey without really going anywhere story wise. Stomp is fantastically family friendly and my daughter was absolutely blown away that you can make music with everyday household items. She has been Stomping ever since.
If you have seen Stomp before (like me) you should know that the show has evolved and many routines have been revamped and many more new ones created. This touring cast is on fire and the chemistry, choreography and comedy is the best I have seen the past 3 times. Stomp is on tour and at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills showing until January 5, 2014. Go to www.stomponline.com for more information.
That’s IT Dad Seanny
* We received tickets to attend opening night to facilitate this review.
