Stomp: Making music out of noise

If you are not in the mood for a noise barrage or two or more around the house, before New Year’s Eve, then my advice is not to take the kiddies to watch the show Stomp at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Oct. 18 up to 23. This is because I am sure they will think that making noise out of anything at all is the coolest thing ever after experiencing the musical. Come to think of it, is Stomp a musical?

It is. But not in the usual sense of the word. I still recall how I stared and stared at the marquee of the Orpheum once while on a trip to New York some years ago. Stomp? What is it? I asked myself. Strange, I had never heard the soundtrack. And yet there it was on Broadway with glowing reviews. And I thought that having been brought up on Rodgers and Hammerstein and later Lerner and Lowe and having recently embraced Webber, I would know musicals. So I told myself that maybe, Stomp is one of those new hip-hop musicals.

Not really. It is not hip-hop. But then in a way it is. Hip-hop makes poetry out of the language of the street. Stomp makes music out of noise. Now this should not be really unique. Music is noise but nice noise, the kind that pleases the senses, be it to smile and laugh or cry or dance. Music does a lot of things on the emotions. This has been so ever since man discovered that he reacts to certain noises and turned those noises into music. And noise as the music of Stomp is any noise.

And I mean ANY in every sense of the word. Think clanging thrash can covers. Brooms swishing on the polished floor. Sticks whipping rubber. Beads jangling. Hands clapping. Feet stomping. Dancing on dustbins. Stomp translates everything into wonderful noise through the marvel of impeccably coordinated choreography and mind-blowing discipline. It is funny, energetic and totally uplifting. I do not know if there was anything like Stomp before it happened but I am sure that those who will take the time to watch it will see it as one of the most original things to ever happen to theater.

Stomp comes from Brighton in the UK. It was created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas in 1991. It was Cresswell’s work in the acclaimed Bins commercial that inspired him and McNicholas to do Stomp. The show has since then garnered lots of nominations and awards, including an Olivier, from various organizations, gone to IMAX and HBO and played all over the world where it continues to dazzle audiences to this day. And those dazzled will now include Filipinos for the first time.

Stomp plays at the CCP from Oct. 18 to 23, thanks to sponsors Visa, official ocean carrier OOCL and Hotel Dusit Thani Manila. Tickets are now available at Ticketworld at 891-999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph and the CCP box office.

Stomp is not the only great thing happening in the local theater scene. Truth to tell, I have a feeling that local theater today is at its most vibrant. I have a strong feeling that my Christmas money will be going to the box-office instead of the malls. Take a look at this list.

Noli Me Tangere, the pop opera by Bien Lumbera and Ryan Cayabyab closed to sold out audiences two weeks ago. It is now back on a limited extended run at the CCP on Sept. 9 to 11.

 In The Heights starring Nyoy Volante, Jackielou Blanco, Calvin Millado, K-La Rivera, Ima Castro, Jimmy Marquez and others is at the Carlos P. Romulo theater of the RCBC in Makati until Sept. 18.

Peter Pan directed by Menchu Lauchengco Yulo and Jaime del Mundo with Sam Concepcion in the title role will be at the Meralco Theater from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30.

The Sound Of Music, directed by Roxanne Lapus and starring Joanna Ampil, Cris Villonco, Audie Gemora and Eddie Feist opens at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resort World Manila on Oct. 15.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga and starring Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos will be at the Meralco from Nov. 18 to Dec. 11.

And not to forget, Mamma Mia with the music of ABBA comes to the CCP on January 2012.