There’s a sense of playfulness to a lot of the show, even when the performers – Jordan Brooks, Joshua Cruz, Jonathon Elkens, Jasmine Joyner, Alexis Juliano, Riley Korrell, Serena Morgan, Artis Olds, Sean Perham, Ivan Salazar and Cade Slattery – are executing complex, harmonic compositions and movements. I remembered the show being more uniform, with static emotions and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the performers interact with each other and the audience. As importantly, each performer has developed a believable personality and character within the world they’ve created. I’m pleased to see women and people of color among the talented cast, as well as man buns, nerdy glasses and anime-influenced hairstyles. Though some of the performers take a more central role in the audience interaction and visual storytelling, this edition of stomp is an ensemble of individuals. The performers move with a chip on their shoulder, like a neighborhood gang that’s still establishing itself, but there’s plenty of humanizing charm, humor and confident temperments in the ensemble. The next movement increases in volume and definition as the sharp whack and bouncy thump of the broom handle and base are added into the mix, along with some more staccato tap moves. Brooms brushing and pulling across an elevated sound enhancing dance floor, with some shuffling steps, then add a layer of sand or gravel, like another instrument in the band. Most compositions appear to build organically – an effect requiring considerable practice and experience to achieve. The sense of freedom and movement reverberates through the theater and audience in a happy cacophony.īut I'm getting ahead of the show, which has a satisfyingly structured build, as each movement features a different common “found” percussive instrument. Two artists hang above the scaffolding and floor, suspended from chain link fencing as they and the rest of the ensemble create beats then dance and, well, stomp their way through the euphoric number. The action and decibel level tops out at a high level in an exciting, multilevel piece.
The noise level and intensity builds nicely from the rhythmic brooms and bell-like ring of dustpans to louder more resonant “instruments” like rubber and steel barrels, street signs and metal trash cans.
“Stomp” is, after all, a percussion performance. The additions ensure the show is appropriate for most of the family, though ear protection is recommended for younger and more sensitive family members. The latest version of collaborators and directors Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas opus features more audience interaction, humor and individual personalities. Tap and acrobatic, athletically demanding modern dance movements mix with precise percussive runs to create a theatrical musical event that really connects with audiences. The dance and percussion event known as “Stomp” brought fans at the Fabulous Fox Theatre to their feet during its short, action-packed run.
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