stage presence
Atlanta’s fabulous Fox Theatre may never be the same after the crashing, smashing, tapping, banging and kicking of the exhilarating STOMP stage show, which is set to grace the stage from Jan. 27 through Feb. 1. Utilizing everything from broomsticks to matchbooks and even their own bodies, the international sensation has kept audiences captivated in more than 350 cities worldwide. –cw
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Elec Simon, Performer “It’s the best percussion show in the world. I’m the muscle head in the group. As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., I’ve done step shows. I wrestled in high school and college and played football. I’ve always been a physical guy. STOMP is like a sport. It’s very physical. I’m a tap dancer. And I’m an Afro Cuban congo drummer. I bring my athletic ability to the stage. You have to maneuver your body to make the music. It’s not like drums where you are sitting down. “People say, ‘Wow I can’t believe you guys were doing that with so much energy or stand[ing] on those 55-gallon drums without falling.’ ” |
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Shola Cole, Performer “Every day, every week, every show is a journey. While I know the basic structure of the show, I am at the artistic mercy of those around me. There is a lot of room for improvisation. Who you see on stage is an extension of [all of us]. “The biggest complaint is that children, [and] sometimes husbands and wives get home and they are tapping on everything. It’s really a compliment. You can hear their frustration.” |
