Huntington Featured Performance Series ‘STOMP’ celebrates the beat

The stage set resembles a multi-tiered recycling plant with “found objects” lining the walls such as road signs, hub caps, plastic containers, various sizes of tubing, shopping carts, rolling suit cases, oversized inner tubes, plastic water jugs and metal storage drums of various sizes.

A lone percussionists takes the stage with...of all things...a broom, rhythmically sweeping to an inner beat. He is quickly joined by seven confederates and soon the dust is flying as a tightly synced dance is enacted. Even when one of the brooms breaks not a second is lost as a replacement comes flying out from the wings and into the hands of the sweeper.

This is the opening number for the astounding production known as “STOMP” now on stage in the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square as part of the Huntington Bank Featured Performance Series. Using an array of cast off junk, this team of highly coordinated dancers, players, drummers and comedians whirl around in a dervish frenzy that has astounded audiences around the world for over 20 years.

Originally formed in Brighton, UK in 1981 by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas (members of a street band known as Pookiesnackenburger) the group saw the light of stage at the Edinburgh Festival throughout the 80s. Since then they have appeared in numerous TV ads, movies and music videos. STOMP came into being at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre with cast members Luke Cresswell, Nick Dwyer, Sarah Eddy, Theseus Gerard, Fraser Morrison, David Olrod, Carl Smith and Fiona Wilkes. winning various awards. From there the group went on tour around the world to sell out crowds including a record at the Royal Festival Hall set by Frank Sinatra in 1972. In the United States there are currently three teams on tour.

The concept is simple. Various members of the troupe take common items, like say a small box of matches, and with tapping and shaking turn it into a musical instrument. Or a bag of trash is leafed through to provide inspiration for music with discarded cups, take-away containers and plastic bags. It is genius. As the various numbers build to a climax an almost tribal feel takes over as various leaps and jumps are performed all to a driving beat. It is a challenge for anyone in the audience to stay still.

The current cast consists of Jude Caminos, Micah Cowher, Jose Filgueira, John Gavin, Declan Hayden, Madeline Jafari, Zahna Johnson, Jasmine Joyner, Cary Lamb Jr., Sean Perham, Ivan Salazar and Cade Slattery. Lighting is by Steve McNicholas and Neil Tiplady and the show is directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.

The action is fast and furious for the ninety minute (without intermission) back beat extravaganza as performers wow the audience with incredible feats of percussive skills. You will be astounded by the muscularly demanding precision performed on stage. With only four days left, purchase your ticket NOW!

The Huntington Featured Performance Series touring production of “STOMP” will be on stage in the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through Sunday, April 21, 2024. for more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/events or call (216) 241-6000.