'Stomp' Coming to MPAC Stage

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Everything but the kitchen sink?

Nope. This show has everything including the kitchen sink.

Stomp the percussive dance sensation that uses unconventional instruments, marches onto the stage at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown Friday and Saturday evening. Showtime is 8 p.m. and cost is $47-$77.

From buckets to brooms, garbage cans to shopping carts, the prop pool runs as deep as the imagination allows, and then some.

“My favorite is the shopping carts,” said stomper Eric Ray, 20, of San Diego. “The weirdest is the donuts-the big tractor inner tubes. We have seatbelts to wear them.”

The brainchild of Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, Stomp is based on the discovery of music through unconventional objects. The show debuted in the U.K. in 1991 and its rhythmic contagion spread worldwide.

 “Expect a high-energy comedic show, fun for all ages,” said Ray, who is one of 8 performers in this weekend’s show.

Plus, there’s the chance for audience interaction in a follow-the-leader style.

At 20 years old, Ray is the youngest cast member. The average age of a Stomp performer is 27, with the oldest being 39, he said.

A percussionist since age 11, Ray was inspired by former Stomper Chris Rubio, who headed up a motivational percussion group that Ray joined in 1996.  The group performed nationwide promoting a drug-free, energetic, positive lifestyle.

Next stop? Stomp. Ray auditioned in New York in 2011, and upon making the cut, he never looked back.

In fine-tuning the show, the cast practiced Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for about a two-month period.

“But it takes a good year to actually get comfortable,” he said.

The music is 75 percent written and the remainder is improvisational, Ray said.

Stomp is equal parts characters as it is eclectic instruments.

“The characters on stage try something out and we all join in,” said Ray. “All parts make a song.”

Stage personalities include “Sarge,” the lead, “Mozzie,” a British term for mosquito, “Ringo,” Mozzie’s friend, “Dr. Who,” a comedian of sorts, plus the two female characters, and “Din” and “Cornish.”

“I’m Potato Head,” said Ray. “But I have no idea why.”

As for the kitchen sinks?

“We have to wear them,” said Ray.

Just add water.

Yup, they have that, too.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 973-539-8008, or at MPAC's website.