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Stomp
Drums are too ordinary for the cast of "Stomp," which bangs
on trash cans or anything else that makes a big sound.

‘Stomp’ romps
back into town

---

By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin

Last time around, "Stomp" performers banged on trash cans and buckets, even finding rhythm in match boxes and a kitchen sink. The show made such an impact here in 1997 that the troupe is returning with its demonstrations of percussive ability.

Just like the drum 'n' bass movement, "Stomp" offers music with no melody, just rhythm and noise.

Ana Sofia Pomales, 29, has been performing in "Stomp" for three years. This will be her second performance in Hawaii when "Stomp" opens Wednesday at the Hawaii Theatre.

Stomp Dates: Dec. 20-31, except Dec. 24-25 Times: 8 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 26, 27, 29; 5 and 9 p.m. Dec. 22, 23, 28, 30; 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 31 Place: Hawaii Theatre Tickets: $25 to $49.50 at Hawaii Theatre box office Charge by phone: 528-0506, 526-4400

Pomales lived in Orlando, Fla., for seven years, working at Disney World, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television, film and dance.

Among her credits is an appearance in Vanessa Williams' film "Shut Up and Dance."

The Star-Bulletin caught up with Pomales shortly after the "Stomp" cast arrived in Hawaii after performing in Seoul, Korea:

Question: How has "Stomp" changed since it was here last?

Answer: Not much, except some of the performers. Some have left the show, so new ones bring in different movements. We do have one new dance number, "Water Bottles." We use large empty water bottles as musical instruments while we're suspended in the air.

Q: What's your role?

A: I have two: "Bin Bitch" and "Cornish." Bin Bitch is the main girl in the show who interacts with the male dancers. Cornish is a quirky, more likable character who has more room to improvise.

Q: Why do people see these shows over and over again?

A: There's so much going on in a show that an audience misses things. There's a 20 percent room for us to improvise ... It makes doing the show even more interesting for us. It's really a different show every night, depending on how you're feeling.

Q: Have you suffered any injuries during the performance?

A: Just once. I twisted my ankle really badly and not during one of the major dance numbers. I was doing the "Cornish" number, walking across the stage with a tape measure. I was skipping and my foot just gave out. I crashed to the floor, but the audience thought it was part of the show and laughed. I even screamed. I got up and walked across the stage limping, but people still thought it was a gag. I was out for a month.

Q: How many pairs of boots do you go through in a season?

A: Well, I still have my original pair from three years ago, but they've been resoled, like, five times.

Q: Being in a show that's so physical, do you still work out on your off time?

A: I do. When I started the show I was really skinny and tiny. I gained muscle with the show, so I want to keep that up and keep the aerobics level high. The show is a 365-day-a-year gig. We might get some time off when there's a week of no shows, so you have to stay in shape.

Q: Where's the strangest place you've worked?

A: Probably middle America. Some audiences are slower than others to get excited. But we've never performed where the audience doesn't eventually get quite responsive. Everybody gets it and I think everyone has a different reason for getting into the show.

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