On January 18th and 19th the tireless work of Thor Steingraber, Executive & Artistic Director at the Younes and Saroya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts paid off with a full theatre audience of regulars and first-timers. The crowd was there to experience the ever-entertaining STOMP, a romp of “percussion, movement and visual comedy.” Because STOMP speaks the language of rhythm, translatable in any language, it has become a generational must-see, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary with a U.S. and International tour.
This inventive, unique and just-plain-fun show was created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas in 1991 in Brighton, England, resulting from a 10-year collaboration between Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, the Director of the show. The cast is a group of wonderful, disheveled urchins that managed to exude lots of energy, and reinvent the music of the streets. Their performing techniques are a How-to on how to “play” a kitchen sink or defy gravity whilst playing garbage-can-covers 10 feet above the stage. Swinging from the rafters, covering the width of the stage, as they beat out the rhythms in 4/4, 3/4 and mixed time inspires the mind with possibilities.
Each performer, unique in personality, finds a base to their character that leaves one belly laughing, and in awe of their special talents. Their interactions often head towards complex physical designs and beats that would leave any organizational CEO envious. Their effortless work that becomes a symphony of teamwork and discovery, solves most of the problems they present. Because the show evolves and the numbers are moved around, each performance is different. Just to keep the freshness, this version starts with a longer runway up the mountain of discoveries but soon settles in and gets on its way to their signature sections.
The company of talented musicians/actor/movers prove their metal throughout the show surprising and delighting the audience. Andrew Patrick, a veteran of STOMP since 2002 is a trusty torchbearer of rhythms that introduce the show. Dilian Cantrell’s energetic hyper-active pretzel-like physical comedy and dance tickles us throughout. The indefatigable Danielle Imani keeps the guys in line with her terrific drumming and feistiness, seconded by Jayme Overton who seemed to be having such fun! Cade Slattery’s self-effacing character made him loveable and clearly memorable, while Jude Caminos and Ben Johnson keeps the company going with their joyous talent. Brooklyn-born John Gavin did not disappoint with his strength and agility. Micah Cowher’s raw power clearly added to the team. Other STOMP members Zahna Johnson and Michael Mendoza, Isaiah Robinson appearedto being taking a break in this performance.
Gloriously the show holds up and creates a feast of rough delights, so human and joyful. In a world that is in such transition, these artful dodgers are teaching us how to roll with the blows and make the best of change allowing us to remember there is something wonderful in that process. Thank you STOMP for making us belly laugh, delighting us for 30 very special years.
Happy Anniversary…may there be 30 more.
For more information about the Younes and Saroya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, please visit their website.
Written by Joanne DiVito for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Cast of STOMP – Photo by Braden Villanueva, The Soraya.