Created and directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas and produced by Columbia Artists Management Inc. et al., the current touring version of Stomp raises the roof at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. And Stomp will continue to delight Broadway Series South patrons through Sunday.
This is a truly amazing, immensely enjoyable, and decidedly offbeat musical extravaganza in which commonplace, everyday items — “found objects” (to use a favorite term from the world of Modern Art) — from the workplace or the home become unique musical instruments in a spectacular demonstration of percussion. The rhythm definitely gets you — clapping, finger-snapping, foot-tapping, stomping — along with the high-energy performers who can make sweet music with a broom, a Zippo lighter, a trashcan, even a kitchen sink full of dirty dishes.
I won’t go into too much detail, because part of the sheer unadulterated delight of Stomp is discovering that just about any object, when properly wielded, can make a pleasing percussive sound. And some of the most expressive objects will come as a total surprise to the first-time viewer of this crowd-pleasing performance artfully illuminated by Steve McNicholas and Neil Tiplady.
The cast of 11 — performing eight at a time — includes Harold Kekoa Bayang, Andrés Fernandez, Khalid Freeman, Brad Holland, Tonya Kay, Noah Mosgofian, John Sawicki, Sophia Sharp, Carlos “Peaches” Thomas, Elizabeth Vidos, and Sheilynn Wactor. These young and very, very talented performers really know how to strut their stuff. Indeed, they earn a hearty and prolonged standing ovation on opening night (Tuesday) for their virtuosity as musicians, dancers, and comedians.
Stomp is a unique theatrical experience. If you haven’t seen Stomp, by all means do so. If you have already seen this international sensation, you have probably already bought your ticket.
Broadway Series South presents Stomp Friday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 11, at 5 and 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 12, at 3 and 7 p.m. in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in the BTI Center for the Performing Arts, 1 E. South St., Raleigh, North Carolina. $19-$45. 919/834-4000 (Ticketmaster) or http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/115203/804343. Group Sales: 919/231-4575 or http://www.priorityseating.net/. Broadway Series South: http://www.broadwayseriessouth.com/2003-2004/specials.html#stomp. Stomp: http://www.stomponline.com/.
