BWW Reviews: STOMP - An Unforgettable Experience

BWW Reviews: "STOMP" - AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
Created and Directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas
April 30, 2014 at 7:30 P.M.
DON'T walk! RUN to see "STOMP" the latest offering in the Best of Broadway series at the Straz Center's Carol Morsani Hall.
Trust me, the next time you are sweeping the floor, or you are washing the dishes, you will have a new and sensational experience after seeing this production!
IT'S TRUE!
"STOMP" is a unique performance troupe, that make music out of ordinary, everyday objects, brooms for instance! Pots and pans, match boxes, garbage cans, you name it and this multi-talented troupe of artists will captivate you with their precision, percussion, performance! AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
The original "STOMP" production, was produced by Cresswell and Nicholas in 1991 at London's Bloomsbury Theatre and premiering at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. It received the Guardian's "Critic's Choice" and won the Daily Express's "Best of the Fringe" award.
From 1991 to 1994, the original cast of "STOMP", played to sold-out crowds around the world. In London, "STOMP" received an Olivier nomination for the "Best Entertainment Award" and won "Best Choreography Award in a West End show".
"STOMP" opened at the Orpheum Theatre in New York, in 1994 winning an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award for Most Unique Theatre Experience.
I was immediately intrigued as the show began. The lights dimmed to half as the colorful, eclectic unit set, designed by Yes/No Productions Ltd., came alive. A single actor with a broom casually graced the stage, sweeping in an engaging rhythm. What followed was clever, imaginative, innovative, and even humorous, (hilarious at some points), as the entire stage exploded with a cast of eight, extraordinarily talented, dancer/musician/actors in a nonstop evening of one of a kind entertainment that was both fascinating, as it was mesmerizing! In addition, there is audience participation; and EVERYONE wanted to participate, myself included! You will want to clap, snap, and yes,..."STOMP!" Now I know why it has garnered so many awards and rave reviews all over the world! "STOMP" is MAGICAL! An event for the entire family!
I found myself with a huge Cheshire cat smile on my face throughout the entire "experience", only interrupted by my widening, saucer eyes and a shake of my head in disbelief of what I was experiencing. It was AMAZING! And may I add, that there was not one word spoken in the entire production! And there is no plot! And...I want to see it again!!! And again!!!
The opening night audience jumped to their feet with cheers, whistles and a well deserved ovation! So did I!
There is so much of this splendid production that I would like to share,(there is an awesome scene with Zippo lighters...) but I am a critic and I will leave the detailed synopsis to preview reporters. And besides, I don't want to "give it all away"...With that statement, let me say this, I give "STOMP" FIVE STARS!
This production is not to be missed!
GO EXPERIENCE "STOMP" for yourself! It is AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE!
"STOMP" will play Carol Morsani Hall, April 30th- May 3rd, 2014 at at the Straz Center, 1010 North W.C. MacInnes Place • Tampa, Florida 33602 Tickets: $43.00 - $63.00 and may be purchased by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or 800.955.1045 outside Tampa Bay, or in person at the Straz Center Ticket Office or online www.strazcenter.org