Digital image. Stomp Out Loud Las Vegas. Destination 360, 2010. Web. 9 Feb. 2010. With just the right combination of slapstick comedy, movement and percussion, “Stomp” enchanted the audience. The show began with a variation on the traditional broom stick number. At first the performers simply sweep the stage, but soon, one by one, they break out into beats and rhythms, every performer building on what the last started. The show continued with many different numbers, using a variety of props ranging from brooms and buckets, to giant lifesavers and rubber hoses, to sinks and plastic bags. Each number flows seamlessly into the next.
Nearly all routines had solos that were either extremely impressive or hilariously funny. In one solo, a dancer began clapping and stomping his feet in a quick and difficult rhythm; making himself resemble the Energizer Bunny. Additionally, one performer played the outsider of the group, leading to many entertainingly awkward moments.
One such moment starts when the stage is empty except for one performer who is in the middle of an amazing percussion solo, using nothing but his body as an instrument. He then sits down and commences drumming on a small, household trashcan. As he does so, the odd member of the group came in and tried to drum with him. The first entertainer didn’t let him, however, and threw away any can the outcast attempted to drum on. Frustrated, the exile left the stage, only to return with a large garbage can, to snatch and discard the household trashcan.
The jokes particularly begin in one piece that included rubber pipes. The performers would hit rubber pipes of varying lengths on the floor to create a melody, while the odd man out always had to have the last beat. Annoyed with this, the other performers threatened to hit him in the head with a pipe; but he beat them to it by whacking the nearest dancer upside the head. At the end of the number, the outcast smugly played the last note of the piece.
One of my favorite parts was when the performers got the audience involved—clapping and stomping out rhythms for us to repeat. They then competed for who could get the audience to be more interactive, which led to humorous confrontations.
Overall, “Stomp” has truly won the hearts of many percussion lovers. The performers impressively utilized everyday items in the most ingenious ways to create beats, rhythms, and even melodies. The clever infusion of sarcastic and slap-stick comedy was a graceful touch—icing on the cake, if you will. Although “Stomp” is no longer in town, you can still see the act on their new recording of a live show. Personally, I strongly recommend it.
