Internationally acclaimed sensation “STOMP” is returning to San Diego for the first time since 2007. The percussive performance, famous for using objects such as trash cans and brooms to make music, will be at the Balboa Theatre next week.
The Daily Aztec was able to ask “STOMP” performer and San Diego native Mike Landis about his life and his role in the unique production.
The Daily Aztec: How did you become involved with “STOMP”?
Mike Landis: In the beginning of my life I was a guitar player. I dreamt of being a rock star in a metal band kind of thing. After awhile, I was in a few bands and I met Michael Silvia. In high school we were in the same band together and we became really good friends. After high school … he was in a group that was like “STOMP” that did drug-free assemblies for kids. They needed an extra guy and he thought it’d be good for me to do it ‘cause I didn’t have a job. I told him I didn’t know drums and he said, “Well check this out.” We got on top of his Toyota Corolla and were using his car to teach me how to play drums. He showed me the basic fundamentals of how drumming works and I auditioned for them and then they picked me … Then I learned what “STOMP” was and it became a dream of doing that.
DA: Are the percussionists able to help with the choreography and music?
ML: We like to say it’s a 75 percent choreographed show, 25 percent is improv. And that can be from anywhere to drumming to using your body as drums or it can be comedy in a certain moment. There is room for improv and your percussion skills express who you are in the show through that, but most of the show is written already.
DA: How long do you have to train before you’re ready to perform?
ML: There’s about a week of auditioning. Then they bring you back in for a week of workshopping to see how you would do learning the show. Once you do that, (you learn your part) for about five to six weeks … I did it in about 3.5 to four weeks. When I auditioned I was really confident. I had been doing something like “STOMP” for three years before.
DA: What character do you play?
ML: I can play five of them on any given night — it’s just scheduling. I can do anything from the funny guy to the crazy guy to the musical drummer guy.
DA: What’s the weirdest prop you work with?
ML: In the show there’s a new scene called “Donuts.” They’re not real donuts, they’re the insides of tractor tires, the inner tubes. We have those suspended on our waists so it looks like they’re kind if bouncing around us. It’s kind of a funny-looking sight, especially when they start bouncing around. But we’re really taking it seriously because the number is inspired by Taiko drumming — Japanese drumming — and they’re really serious about drumming. It’s a great number though.
DA: How would you describe the experience of being a “STOMP” performer?
ML: As far as keeping in shape for the show, there’s a lot of people who work out. They stay in shape and eat right. They stretch before the show and stretch after the show. They drink lots of water and all of that stuff. I am not that guy at all. I don’t do that. I play video games, I eat Taco Bell, I do not stretch. I pound my legs into the ground. I’m kind of a floppy “stomper” — I should be taking care of myself a little bit more but I feel like if I were to run up some stairs right now I’d be so exhausted, but if I were to do a whole show I probably wouldn’t feel that tired.
DA: What’s your favorite memory of the tour so far?
ML: “STOMP” actually reunited me with my mother. I hadn’t seen her in about 10 years. She lives in Colombia and we went there this summer for about a week. It was the first time “STOMP” had been to Colombia and I got to see my mother for the first time in 10 years. And she got to see me in the show.
DA: Is there anything else you’d like to say about “STOMP”?
ML: It’s been revamped a little bit. There’s new music, new members. If someone saw it last time in 2007 they should see it again ‘cause it will be a whole new experience. The whole show has different characters and the different people playing those characters really can change the show. You can go two nights in a row and have a whole different experience just because the funny guy was played by a different dude.
STOMP INFO
WHEN: April 19 – 24
WHERE: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue
PERFORMANCES: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
TIMES: Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
TICKETS: $17.50 – $73.50
WEBSITE: broadwaysd.com
