STOMP Exhilarates in San Jose Now Thru April 17th

STOMP, well, stomped its way into the San Jose Performing Arts Center, using, among other things, sticks and brooms, trash cans and yes, even kitchen sinks, to create wildly primitive and pulsating beats that throbbed with energy, excitement and absolute precision.  For 90, non-stop minutes (plus a dynamic, audience participation encore), STOMP surprised and captivated its audience with its dizzying array of props (more like dancing partners) and a cast that would not quit.

Created by two British former street performers (Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas) the urban street beats of this amazing show found a home on a set that could be any alleyway in any large city across the globe.  Corrugated metal walls were littered with street signs, and a mish-mash of what can only be described as junk. A two-story metal grid rose high above the corrugated walls and was also covered with pipes and lids as well as more junk and two signs that read "GO."  Later in the show, four harnessed performers swung effortlessly in front of the grid, tapping, clanking and banging on every single piece of junk up there, much to the audience's delight.  These performers made amazing rhythms and sounds, finally flipping the "Go" signs to "Stop" when they were through, amidst wild clapping and cheering.

A 15-year, Off-Broadway phenomenon, STOMP has been performed in over 450 cities in 36 countries worldwide and has garnered award after award. For a show in which the performers never spoke, they connected and communicated with the audience at every turn a clear indication of why it is so popular.

Highlights included the use of lighters, water, giant inner tubes, and giant oil drums strapped to four of the dancer's feet. Their bios did not include pictures, therefore the artists cannot be matched to their roles, but they were all superb.

It's said that music is the universal language, but there are certain styles of music that don't appeal to everyone.  Perhaps then, on a purely visceral level, percussion is the true lingua franca that all people "get," no matter what their musical preferences might be.

That certainly seemed to be the case with the audience of STOMP in San Jose.  As people made their way out of the venue, they were tapping and stomping away, using their rolled up programs to beat on anything they could get their hands on, joyfully carrying the heart of STOMP out into the streets, where it first found a home more than 15 years ago.

STOMP only plays at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, now through April 17^th.  Get your tickets now.  You will not be disappointed.

STOMP - San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

April 12-17, 2011

Single tickets ($20-$69)

(408) 792-4111

Photo credit: Junichi Takahashi

www.sjtix.com

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