Wednesday, December 31, 2008

STOMP storms back to Sacramento


Except for the human voice, drumming is no doubt our most fundamental form of expression. It finds perhaps its most eloquent vehicle in STOMP, which uses everything from a box of matches to inflated truck tires as it pulls us in to a percussive dynamo, returning and renewed on the Sacramento stage. In its wordless yet funny celebration of the world’s working people, whose sweat and dirty hands bring us civilization, it draws us into the action, clapping our hands to signals from the cast.

The spirit of the show is reflected by an abstract set mirroring an oily shop, its two levels glittering with metal objects and a suggestion of oil drums. The uninterrupted action, from juggling to synchronized clanging, goes on for an hour and forty-five minutes, performed by eight out of a listed cast of twelve in sometimes threadbare work clothes.

Created and directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP continues through January 4 at the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street. For a detailed review, including time and ticket information, see today’s issue of the El Dorado Hills newspaper Village Life, or click the title of this post.

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