Purdue News

February 1, 1999 Percussion sensation STOMP coming to Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue Convocations and the Purdue Student Concert Committee will present STOMP in two 8 p.m. performances on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6, at Elliott Hall of Music. Tickets are $25 and $20 and go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at campus box offices. The Purdue community will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets through the university's "Concert Ticket Time" system, formerly called "Concertificates." Students log onto SSINFO between 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, and 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, to sign up to purchase tickets in advance of the general public. Faculty and staff may sign up in the Elliott Hall of Music lobby from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The computer system then randomizes all entries and assigns times to each entry. The schedule of times will be posted on SSINFO and various locations on campus by noon Monday, Feb. 8. "Concert Ticket Time" sales will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Elliott Box Office only. A maximum of six tickets may be purchased. No credit cards will be accepted for these sales. "Persistence and cooperation have finally paid off, and we're thrilled to finally be bringing this fantastic performance to Greater Lafayette," said Convocations director Lorna Myers. "STOMP usually only accepts longer engagements -- at least three performances, especially on weekends. That's too big a financial risk for us, but with the help of Elliott Hall of Music director Steve Hall, we were able to put together an offer for two performances -- instead of just one -- that was immediately accepted." The eight-member percussion ensemble is continuing its phenomenal run with two concurrent national tours covering more than 100 cities, as well as the New York company's continuous sold-out run at The Orpheum Theatre, now in its fifth year. International engagements have included appearances at London's Royal Festival Hall, the Acropolis in Athens, and limited engagements in Asia and South America. STOMP has been considered an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and celebrated appearances on the 1996 Oscar and the 1998 Emmy telecasts. Other achievements include an Academy Award nomination for the short film "Brooms" by STOMP co-creators/directors Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, an Emmy Award for their 45-minute HBO special "STOMP Out Loud," TV appearances ranging from "The Late Show With David Letterman" to "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," and a series of award-winning national commercials (including Coca-Cola and Target Stores). The unique ensemble "make[s] rhythm out of anything we can get our hands on that makes a sound," Cresswell said. Synchronized stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra; eight Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. STOMP uses dustbins, tea chests, plastic bags, plungers, boots, hubcaps, and more -- everything but conventional percussion instruments. The group's appeal is universal, attracting an audience ranging from "kids to grannies to bank managers," in Cresswell's words. Critics and audiences have been universal in their praise of the STOMP experience. Some examples: "STOMP is a sure-fire crowd pleaser with a rock-and-roll heart." -- The New York Times "STOMP finds beautiful noise in the strangest places." -- USA Today "A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking -- a joyous invention!" -- The Chicago Tribune. Tickets for the public go on sale Thursday, Feb. 11, at campus box offices. Order by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Source: Lorna Myers, (765) 494-9712; e-mail, lgmyers@convos.purdue.edu Writer: Sue Stevens, (765)494-5045; e-mail, snstevens@convos.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page