Stomp on Broadway

"STOMP, The Art of Noise"

A few years ago a very pregnant me went to see the show Stomp.  At that time, the show had been touring in the U.S. for about 2 years, 6 years after it first opened in London’s Bloomsbury Theater. When I wobbled into the theater with my 7-month pregnancy belly, it had received 4 Emmys and an HBO feature. But, 1997 was the first time I saw it and I remember wanting to leap out of my seat and dance. I remember laughing and joining in on the fun, interactive “games” between cast and audience, and I remember feeling the little body inside of me move to the very loud noise coming off the stage.

And it is a very loud show. Live shows brought to us by professional drummers, dancers,  composers, and actors, Stomp is not only eclectic with its cast, but also in the way it delivers art through sound. With use of brooms, lids, cans, poles, and even sand and boxes of matches, music is born to the amazement of the audience.

I went again just recently, with my son, now 12 years old so that he could experience the one show I saw repeatedly till he was born because he seemed to enjoy it so much while in my womb.

The Orpheum Theater is a small one, one could say there is no bad seat for this show. However, I liked being able to sit closer to the front. Directly in front of the stage. Not good seats for those who may find the banging too loud to be too much or who don’t want the full attention of the cast at one point or another.

Little children might find the loud noises scary at first (in this case it might be good to go to their site and have the child see the video at its absolute loudest volume setting). I however saw many kids in the audience delighted by the tricks for sounds, the dancing and fun on stage. And this is the main reason why I believe children as well as adult will enjoy the show. The energy of the music and of the artists on stage really draw in the audience of all ages. The scene encourages audience participation, something kids will also enjoy.

As for my 12 year old, he didn’t move around in his seat as much as he did in my womb 12 years ago, but he did have a big smile - the same one I imagined he had each time I saw the show before he was born.

Tickets range from $81.00 to $38.00 dollars, and in my opinion, and that of my son, it is worth every penny. I think I will make a few more trips to see Stomp, next time with my other two boys (3.5 and 5) in tow. It’s a great show and even after seeing it so many times several years ago, it still felt exciting to see again.

*This review is based on a complimentary tickets to see Stomp for review purposes. I received no other compensation and nor received any requirements that I express a particular point of view.