The Beat Goes On: Stomp Returns to The Motor City

From The Oakland Press 2/17/22

Whether you’re looking for music or comedy to lift you away from life’s cares, the Motor City is offering both, with “Stomp” exploding its sound on the Music Hall stage, and laughing filling the Detroit Rep as it launches its season with the comedy, “Asking Strangers the Meaning of Life.”

The percussive sensation “Stomp” returns to Detroit March 1 to 6 at the Music Hall with its unique blend of musical magic, using everything from brooms to hubcaps, to perform a unique show that began in Scotland.

The performers make music out of ordinary objects, but the sound they create is extraordinary, using brooms, lighters, wooden poles, dustbins, radiator hoses, boots and hubcaps.

In addition to the percussive magic, the show includes movement and physical comedy.

The birth of the sensation began in 1981, in Edinburgh, where members of the street band Pookiesnackenburger and the theater group Cliff Hanger combined to create street comedy musicals for festivals.

After the group created two albums, performed on television in the UK and began touring throughout Europe, in created its legendary “Bins” commercial for Heineken, which launched “Stomp” and its famous dustbin dance.

In 1986, the group performed an 8-minute spot on a Bette Midler HBO special. In 1991, the show launched in London, and in 1994, was introduced to New York City off-Broadway, at the Orpheum Theater, where it was one of the longest-running off-Broadway shows and the most financially successful production.

“Stomp” has gone on to tour worldwide, in 350 cities in 36 countries, to win many awards, and had its unique sound featured in movies and commercials. It has performed at the Emmy Awards, Clinton’s inauguration and Sesame Street.

“Stomp” has been recorded in high-definition sound and video, in IMAX 3D and digital 3D movies.

The show runs 8 p.m. March 1 to 5, 2 p.m. March 5 and 6 and 7:30 p.m. March 6 at the Music Hall, 350 Madison Ave. in Detroit.

All patrons must show photo identification and proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative COVID-19 test done within 72 hours of the show date. All attendees must wear masks during the performance.

Tickets start at $49, and are available by calling 800-982-2787, at ticketmaster.com and at the Fisher Theater box office.

Photo Credit: STOMP created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas
Photo: Steve McNicholas

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