The show is still as fresh as when I first saw it in 1995. It was quite a surprise as I had heard about this show, but had no idea what to expect. Well, it was amazing to see all the energy these performers have. They use everything you can imagine to make music...even the kitchen sink!
Last night saw the show again. It has not lost its energy or fun. They did make some changes to the original show I saw, which was good. The audience had lots of fun at the show. It was a good-sized opening night audience probably around 1,000 in the house. This cast was very talented and funny as was the first cast I saw. They just amaze you with what they can do with such common things as paper bags, plastic bags, garbage cans, and that ever present kitchen sink.
Cast: Harold Kekoa Bayang, Andres Fernandez, Khalid Freeman, Coralissa Gines, Brad Holland, Tonya Kay, Noah Mosgofian, John Sawicki, Sophia Sharp, Carlos “Peaches” Thomas, Elizabeth Vidos. They are all very talented performers. I noticed one member has been with the touring production for 7 years. That has to take a toll on your body. I thought one of the cast members looked familiar.
After the show they had a cast party and we were able to meet some of the cast members from Stomp, Gladys Knights show at the Flamingo, and there were people connected to the Celine Dion show A New Day at Caesars Palace. We left early, so we missed seeing cast members from Mamma Mia! at the Mandalay Bay, and other shows. The party was for media and subscribers to the Aladdin Performing Arts Center Series.
If you get a chance see the show it is fantastic! -- Carolyn Weaver
The following information was provided through press representatives.
THE STOMP STORY
STOMP, a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, was created in Brighton, U.K., in the summer of 1991. It was the result of a 10-year collaboration between its creators, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.
Their previous work together involved an infamous street band, Pookiesnackenburger, which first featured dustbins (trashcans) as instruments, and various spin-off TV projects, exploring the use of rhythm in everyday life.
Between 1987 and 1990, Luke staged, as artistic and musical director, four large-scale outdoor events, including "Beat the Clyde," which involved floating a drum orchestra on a pontoon in the center of Glasgow. The largest of these events, the "Heineken Hove Lagoon Show," involved a 120-piece drum orchestra featuring the Brighton Festival Chorus and a full orchestral string section. Many of the original STOMP performers were “discovered” by Luke during this period.
In the summer of 1991, Luke and Steve produced, financed and directed the original STOMP, previewing at London's Bloomsbury Theatre and premiering at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, where it became the Guardian's "Critic's Choice" and won the Daily Express' "Best of the Fringe" award. Originally a seven piece (with Luke, Theseus Gerard, Fraser Morrison, Carl Smith, Nick Dwyer, David Olrod and Sarah Eddy) STOMP grew to be an eight person outfit with the addition of Fiona Wilkes in the fall of ‘91.
Between 1991 and 1994, STOMP played to capacity audiences throughout the world from Hong Kong to Barcelona, from Dublin and Galway to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The touring culminated in a sell-out season at London's Sadler's Wells Theatre in January 1994, where STOMP received an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment Award and won Best Choreography Award in a West End show.
An expanded version of STOMP, involving up to 30 cast members, was originally created for the Brighton Festival and was subsequently presented in Melbourne, Australia. It was seen in September 1995 outside at the Acropolis in Athens and at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This production broke all box office records, which had been established by Frank Sinatra in 1972.
STOMP began its run at the Orpheum Theatre in New York in February 1994 and quickly went on to win both Obie and Drama Desk awards for “Most Unique Theatre Experience.” By the summer of 1994, the first American cast was in place at the Orpheum, freeing the original cast for a sell-out tour of North America and equally successful visits to Tokyo and Osaka.
PERFORMANCE FACTS:
STOMP has performed in over 350 cities in 36 countries worldwide.
STOMP’s New York City production is in its 10th year at the Orpheum Theatre, which makes it one of the longest-running shows in Off-Broadway history.
STOMP is the most financially successful Off-Broadway show in history.
The North American Tour has been running since 1995.
THEATRICAL AWARDS/HONORS:
Olivier Award for Best Choreography (the London equivalent of the Tony Award).
Obie Award (New York’s Off-Broadway Awards).
Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience.
The following items are used by the STOMP New York Company on a weekly basis:
20 Brooms
40 Gallons of Water
2 Gallons of Floor Paint
6 Wooden Poles
5 Sunday New York Times
30 Pounds of Sand
7 Mop Heads
1 Fire Bucket
10 Garbage Can Lids
2 Hatchet Handles
4 Wheel Rims
8 Fist-Sized Chunks of Chalk
4 Roles of Gaffer Tape
6 Ace Bandages
6 Disposable Ice Packs
6 Ball-Peen Hammer Handles
They use:
1 Stainless Steel Sink with Draining Board (every three months)
1 Oil Drum (every two months)
8 Ski Boots (every four months)
For more information about STOMP check out their website.
