STOMP Thrills at The State Theatre

When did we all lose our sense of magic and creativity? Maybe it happened when we had to get a standard job. Maybe it happened when the government started to screw us on taxes every year. Perhaps it was when the world just got a little too insane, and we felt that we weren't allowed to be creative and whimsical anymore. But why? Why can't we take a few minutes daily and let our freak flags fly? Why is it unacceptable to start banging on pots and pans before cooking yet another uninspired dinner, if only to bring a little spark into our lives? STOMP is here to remind you that life doesn't just have to be a dull and boring task. You can have some fun when sweeping, when cleaning the sink and when putting those pots and pans away.

After leaving the performance at the gorgeous State Theatre on Wednesday night, my friend and I stopped for a drink, and I was asked to explain what this show was. I was at a loss for words. I've been shocked at how many people don't know what STOMP is. Maybe it's because I grew up in a super musical and quirky family, but I remember seeing STOMP decades ago. I remember the spark it lit in me. I remember going home and instantly snatching all of the pots and pans out of the cabinets to create my own drum set. I'm sure my parents didn't appreciate it at the time, but it was fun, it was creative, and it was whimsical. How did people go their entire childhood without this experience when, for me, it just felt "normal." So, what is STOMP?

STOMP is a percussion group that originated in Brighton, England. It's a group of people that use their bodies and ordinary, everyday objects to create extraordinary beats, sounds, and songs that come complete with a dance element and even some miming. Think Blue Man Group, but with more trash cans or a noise show with a bit more structure. Think of it however you want; it's a stunning showing of creativity and insanely amazing musicians who, even when just using something as simple as a Zippo lighter, can create a lush and captivating soundscape that draws you in. STOMP has been touring for decades, and although the people on stage have changed, as have the bits that make up the ninety-minute performance, the show continues to be one of the most electrifying shows out there right now.

I obviously don't want to give away all of the "skits" that made up the performance on Wednesday night, but there were some that left my jaw on the ground. Most notable was the Zippo lighter portion. I mean, a Zippo lighter is tiny, right? Yet what these musicians and performers were doing with those lighters created a wall of sound that cast over the entire theatre. On top of that, the use of lighters added a visual element that was honestly a bit brain-wracking to watch. My first question was how did someone come up with such an idea, but the bigger question left on my brain was how were these people so good at using Zippos when I look like an idiot any time someone hands me one.

The truth is, these performers had clearly practiced their butts off for this show. With contact microphones right on the stage, any wrong step could throw off an entire beat, but that was no worry for this show as every step, every hand movement, and every breath seemed to be in sync so perfectly. There were moments throughout the show were trash cans and small cans were being thrown every which way between the cast members. I kept waiting for one to crash to the floor, but it never happened. Everyone in this group was clearly so connected on a level that I don't think I'll ever understand, to the point where they could throw a pan behind their head and just know that someone else on the stage would be there to catch it.

Beyond the captivating musical performances that make up a STOMP performance were the storylines and individual personalities of each performer. I loved the way that, within just a couple of minutes, you had figured out everyone on stage. You had the main guy, the geeky kid who just wishes he was cool enough to join STOMP (which he does at the end, which is a whole statement on just going for your dreams, but we don't have to get into that), to the metalhead, to the clearly classically trained dancer. Although everyone worked so perfectly in sync, I loved seeing different personalities and styles showcased throughout the performance.

I also loved some of the statements this group made without saying a word. The biggest one for me was recycling. Again, I'm trying not to give away all of the skits here, but there was one that was very "garbage-forward," and the performers were very careful to discard said "garbage" into bins with giant recycling logos facing the crowd. It definitely wasn't subtle, but it also wasn't overtly obvious and was a great reminder to take care of this planet because, at the end of the day, all of that garbage going into the landfill is as good as a drum (or something like that). There were more statements that I'm sure I could come up with after this performance. Some of them would probably be accurate while others may be a stretch, but, at the end of the day, STOMP is a performance that is meant to be enjoyed, and I did just that.

When did we lose our magic and creativity? When did life turn into keeping up with the Joneses rather than finding the magic in the mundane? What happened to doing your own thing and not caring what anyone else thought about it because, at the end of the day, it would bring you joy? When did we all get so serious? While watching STOMP on Wednesday night, I was reminded to not take things so seriously and that, sometimes, all you need is a drumstick and a shopping cart to have the time of your life.

I urge you all to go check out this performance. If you've never heard of STOMP before, just go. Don't dig into it any more than this article because reading about STOMP doesn't begin to give you an idea of the magic that comes with this show.