Originally developed in the UK, the unique combination of percussion, movement, and visual comedy of STOMP has remained an international phenomenon for more than 20 years. STOMP has been performed in 36 countries worldwide and is currently on tour for a limited engagement at the Warner Theatre from January 25-30 in Washington, D.C. where What's Up? was invited to attend its opening night performance.
Being a STOMP rookie I anticipated performers to spend the two-hour show dancing with ooms and banging paint cans—boy, was I wrong. The eight-member cast used more than 20 props, which ranged from lighters to chairs to tractor tires, to create dynamic sounds in expertly choreographed routines that had the audience [and me] captivated. The musical performance is jam-packed with banging, clapping, slapping, snapping, beating, dancing, drumming, and yes, stomping, but sprinkled throughout were also comedic elements, which was an unexpected surprise and done with virtually no dialogue.
STOMP creators, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, work to stay true to the original premise of the show, which is to create rhythmic music with instantly recognizable objects, and do it with an eccentric sense of character and humor. And I'd have to say that's exactly what I experienced at this must-see fun and family-friendly show.
D.C. tour performers include: John Angeles, Jaclynn Bridges, Donisha Brown, Andre Fernandez, Cammie Green, Michael Landis, Guy Mandozzi, Justin Myles, John Sawicki, Mike Silvia, Elec Simon, and Nicholas Young.
Tickets for STOMP are available at the Warner Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, Livenation.com, or via phone at 800-551-7328.
r
{gallery}stomp{/gallery}
