Jeremy Price

For 25 years now the percussion spectacular known as Stomp has been making beautiful noise all over the world. This high-octane audible feast is back in town at the National Theatre for a week and the historic rafters are shaking from the melodious vibrations Stomp brings with it.

Since 2003, today's subject, Jeremy Price has been living his theatre life making noise all over the world in the international percussion phenomenon, Stomp. The current US tour is coming to DC's National Theatre April 23rd, playing through the 28th.

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) hosted its Jubalee Gala July 21 at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, which included honoring The Chicago Community Trust and its President and CEO Terry Mazany with the JUBA! Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Cultural Community in Chicago. Past JUBA! Award recipient, the Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel, served as Honorary Chair. With nearly 600 people in attendance, CHRP raised $175,000, including a $75,000 leadership gift from guests Philip and Marsha Dowd, from a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, contributions and a raffle.  Following a preshow reception in CHRP's American Rhythm Center, guests gathered in the packed Studebaker Theater for the presentation of the JUBA! Award and the JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance performance that highlighted CHRP's 27th annual Rhythm World summer festival. The concert featured Chicago Human Rhythm Project performing a world premiere by Artist In Residence Dani Borak and three classics by African-American choreographers Buster Brown, Lon Chaney and Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer; STOMP alumna and Broadway hoofer (Shuffle Along) Lisa LaTouche performing her masterpiece Love Me or Leave Me with Tre Dumas and Nico Rubio; STOMP cast members Ali Bradley and Jeremy Price; North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble; solo performances by Lee Howard and Jumaane Taylor; a trio performance by Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson and Imania Fatima Detry; scholarship students from Tokyo directed by Yukiko Misumi; and more. A VIP champagne reception onstage with the artists followed the performance.

Showcasing a wide range of performers and repertoire, Chicago Human Rhythm Project  (CHRP) announces the programs for three of the performances during its 27th annual summer festival of American tap and percussive dance, Rhythm World.  

Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), presents the 27th annual summer festival of American tap and percussive dance, Rhythm World, featuring three generations of hoofers, including tap giants Savion Glover and Maurice Hines.

STOMP is in town for just one more performance. If you've never seen it, prepare to be rocked. The percussive dance sensation is touring and it brings the house to its collective feet. It's more than a show: it's an experience.

The dozen percussionists and performers prove that one's garbage can be another person's instrument.

For over 25 years, STOMP's unique blend of percussion, dance, and theatricality has been thrilling audiences around the world. After launching in the UK in 1991, STOMP has been playing Off-Broadway since 1994 and touring across the globe ever since. A cultural phenomenon, STOMP has performed at the Lincoln Memorial, in the West End, at the Olympic Closing Ceremonies, and in their own IMAX movie.

One thing I really love about STOMP is that no matter how many times you've seen it, there are always a few new bits thrown in for you to enjoy. It's a constantly evolving show, although you can bet it will always begin with the troupe using their brooms to demonstrate how common items can be utilized to produce music and magic. Productions have been touring the world with various participants for so many years now that it's even become a touchstone for parents, who have already experienced it, to take their children to see it for the first time. My own son has seen it at least three times, but has grown to appreciate it even more as he's gotten older and more into music. The touring company that just passed through The Fabulous Fox Theatre (April 10-12, 2015) proved, once again, that the poly-rhythmic textures that reverberate in the venues they play overflow with a truly joyful noise that both amuses and delights.