STOMP marches to many drummers

Though some may see a trashcan or broomstick as a regular, inanimate object with little purpose beyond the obvious, others have been able to find music and life in them through STOMP, the touring Broadway hit that's coming to Athens this week.

STOMP will be performed 7:30 tonight (Monday) and Tuesday in Memorial Auditorium as part of Ohio University's Performing Arts Series.

The renowned percussion act's rehearsal director, Andres Fernandez, has been involved with STOMP since 1997, working his way up for almost 15 years.

"When I first saw the show, I was just amazed," Fernandez recalled. "I never thought I would actually be a part of it someday, but the creators must have seen something in me."

Elec Simon of Canton is a retired STOMP performer who is stepping in for Fernandez during the Athens performances. The director watches over the performances, making sure they run smoothly and effectively, according to Fernandez.

The version of STOMP that's currently touring is a revamped version that includes classic numbers such as their broom and trashcan routines, as well as new props, moves and music.

"It will be the same show for a couple years, but with STOMP you never get the same show twice because we all react and create our own moments differently," Fernandez said.

The cast for each show consists of around 20 people with 12 performers, six crew members and eight different roles to play.

"Since we tour for most of the year, we (the cast) end up becoming like a family because it's a smaller group, and you are constantly together," Fernandez said. "We are very real with each other, though, and sometimes we have to let out what we are feeling during the show, which can get interesting."

STOMP's schedule runs for most of the year, excluding the Christmas season and summer months, and covers most of the country.

"The reason STOMP has been able to last for over 20 years is because no matter where or when you see the show, it is always different," Fernandez said. "It ends up being 35 percent written and 25 percent ad-lib from the cast, plus people play different roles every time so you never get the same responses.

"STOMP to me is finding music in everything," Fernandez continued. "That can mean when you are walking, talking or hearing your heart beating. Everything has music, except maybe a feather."

Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas are the creators and founders of the show, meaning they have control and final say over the routines, music, lighting and anything else in order to make the performance the best it can be, according to Fernandez.

"I hope that people can walk away from our shows feeling more than just enjoyment, but that it will allow them to view life differently," Fernandez said. "If after our show they can step away from the real world and hear it in a new way, then I know we did our job."

For ticket information call 740-593-1780, go to the ticket office in the Memorial Auditorium lobby, or else check the Performing Arts Series website.