'Stomp' It Out.

There are few things as scary for a performer as getting thrown on for a show.  We pride ourselves on having ample time to rehearse, getting our lines or movements down until they seem as routine as shaking a hand, and feeling confident in our ability to give the audience the best show possible.  Unfortunately, these things rarely add up, and we are often thrown on before we feel ready. 

Performers usually equal perfectionists.  We always think we could have reviewed the spacing one last time, gone over musicality, or found a better way to transition between any given moments.  Unfortunately, we have to make do with the rehearsal time we have and go out and give the best show possible.   I’ve seen dancers go on with mere minutes of notice, and I myself have been thrown onto stage in ballets I’ve never even done full run-throughs of. 

There’s an exhilaration that comes with these types of performances, and the best we can hope for is to not fall on our faces, get booed or have tomatoes thrown at us.  I find that there are really two types of dancers: those who falter under the pressure, and those who thrive under it.  Last night when I went to see Michelle Dorrance make her debut in “Stomp,” there was no booing, just shrieks of excitement at what an absolutely incredible job she did.

(Carson, April and Claudia eagerly awaiting the evening.)

Over the past few months, Michelle has been busy leading a double life.  She has her career as a world-renowned professional tap dancer and teacher, which finds her touring the globe, and her grueling rehearsals in what I like to call the “Stomp Academy.”  From what I understand, there is an intense workshop process for anyone in the final stages of casting for the show.  It requires them to learn the intricate types of percussion and body manipulation used in the different sections of the two-hour evening.

I haven’t seen the show since I was a nine year-old boy on my first trip to the city.  At that point, it was all I could do to stay awake after a grueling day of pounding the streets of the city.  Last night, I was wide awake and gushing with excitement from the moment Michelle crept onstage with her broom until the moment she walked off with her huge orange bin (her role in the show is coincidentally deemed the “Bin Bitch.)

(Michelle explains to all of us the difficulty of working the lighters in the show.)

The show is tailor made for her tomboy intensity.  There is a buoyant weight to Michelle’s physicality in person that translates seamlessly to “Stomp.”  What surprised me (and also didn’t) the most was that I never felt like I was watching Michelle perform; instead I felt like I was watching her go about her life with a few extra props and some good lighting.  I cannot think of a person who is a better fit for the gritty, intricate musicality that this show requires. 

It’s not that a person needs to be musical to succeed in “Stomp,” they need to be freakishly so.  Instead of the typical drums, taps, or claps used to create rhythms, “Stomp” utilizes sand, matches, lighters, sticks, garbage cans, newspapers, and every body part and noise possible (except for flatulence, thank god) to create street corner symphonies.  The amount of control required to manipulate the different props is mind-blowing and Michelle handled them all with ease.  Even though it was her first show with the cast, you could tell this is music she’s been making herself for a long time.

(Just a few of the props.)

(Crazy monkey performers plastered on the doors.)

I’m happy to report that it wasn’t just Michelle who made the evening a success, the show itself is in phenomenal shape.  The concept of using different props never becomes tired, and the different personalities of the performers are all given their moment in the spotlight.  It’s a testament to the power of the performers and the excitement that the material elicits that the audience wasn’t just willing to indulge in a little audience participation, they were eager.  At times we were clapping rhythms when it wasn’t even required of us.

Once the show ended, and I realized the bombastically loud drumming had sucked some energy out of me, I made my way home elated from what I had just seen.  For some reason, “Stomp” is never a show I’ve recommended before but now I wouldn’t hesitate to send people there in a heartbeat.  Even fourteen years after it opened it still seems completely original, and none of the copycat shows that have come since can touch it.  Of course, Michelle made the evening so phenomenal for all of us.  It was clear what type of performer Michelle is (as if I didn’t know this already) because she thrived last night.

(Two of the whitest people you will ever see.)

(Michelle (and her trademark buns) greeting her fans after the show.)

Comments

[Tania]

Wow, I've been wanting to see this show forever, I don't know why I haven't yet.

[M]

You really should check it out Tania. It's a fantastic show. Of course, I would want you to see Michelle in it :-) But I'm not sure when she will get thrown on again! P.S. FINALLY got around to adding your link. Sorry for the delay!

[Beckylooo]

YAY! I'm stealing that last pic for ma blog, Mattie. I'm so jealous you got to go. Of course she was awesome. She's always awesome.

[Terrence Taps]

Thanks for posting this...I'll link to it on my blog later this week.

I met Michelle in July at the NYC Tap Festival. She is such a cool and down to earth person...glad to see that 2007 has been such a great year for her.

Taps

[Natalie D.]

Yay for poopie sister! I am so proud! And Matt your post about the show brought me to tears. We are jsut so excited for her! I hope she gets a full contract after that performance! Glad to hear that she tore it up! I talked to her about it, but you know how humble and modest she is. I am so jealous of you and Carson right now for getting to see it first. Hopefully there will be many shows to come in the future.

[Mary Henley]

wow, I saw the ORIGINAL cast (that dates me) in New York ages ago and have been following it ever since. Fantastic concept, amazing execution, love it. I see the show whenever they come to DC and have seen in in NYC countless times. Never loses it's appeal. Way to go!