Executive & Artistic Director

Thor Steingraber

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STOMP

Sat Jan 18 | 3pm & 8pm

Sun Jan 19 | 3pm

Run Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

(no intermission)

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About STOMPProgram Note

Performers | Directors | Producers

STOMP Staff

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About Us

Our Supporters | The Soraya Team

About STOMP

STOMP, a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, was created in Brighton, England, in the summer of 1991. It was the result of a 10-year collaboration between its creators, Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.

They first worked together in 1981, as members of the street band Pookiesnackenburger and the theater group Cliff Hanger. Together, these groups presented a series of street comedy musicals at the Edinburgh Festival throughout the early ’80s. After two albums, a U.K. TV series and extensive touring throughout Europe, Pookiesnackenburger also produced the highly acclaimed “Bins” commercial for Heineken lager. The piece was originally written and choreographed by Cresswell as part of the band’s stage show; it proved to be the starting point for STOMP’s climactic dustbin dance.

In 1986, Cresswell and McNicholas created an eight-minute “percussive movie” for Bette Midler’s HBO special “Mondo Beyondo.” Between 1987 and 1990, Cresswell staged, as artistic and musical director, four large-scale outdoor events, including “Beat the Clyde,” which involved floating a drum orchestra on a pontoon in the center of Glasgow; the largest of these events, “The Heineken Hove Lagoon Show,” involved a 120-piece drum orchestra featuring the Brighton Festival Chorus and a full orchestral string section.

In 1991, McNicholas and Cresswell first created STOMP, previewing at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and premiering at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, where it became The Guardian’s Critics’ Choice and won The Daily Express Best of the Fringe Award.

Between 1991 and 1994, the original cast of STOMP played to capacity audiences around the world, from Hong Kong to Barcelona and Dublin to Sydney. The touring culminated in a sell-out season at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre in January 1994, where STOMP received an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment and won Best Choreography in a West End Show.

An expanded version of STOMP, involving up to 30 cast members, was originally created for the Brighton Festival, U.K., and was subsequently presented in Melbourne, Australia. It was seen in September 1995, open-air, at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, and at the Royal Festival Hall, London. This production broke box-office records, which had been established by Frank Sinatra.

STOMP began its run at the Orpheum Theater in New York in February 1994 and quickly went on to win both an Obie and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. By summer 1994, the first American cast was in place at the Orpheum, allowing the original cast to perform for sell-out tours of North America and Japan.

In summer 1995, two more American productions were created for the sole purpose of U.S. touring, which continues to this day. U.S. casts have also debuted STOMP in Chile, Brazil, and Korea. Meanwhile, a fifth STOMP company, also touring from the U.K., was formed in 1997 and has consistently toured the world ever since. This company presented STOMP for the first time in Scandinavia and South Africa, and has been a regular visitor to Germany, Holland, and France. Another STOMP production opened in San Francisco in May 2000, running for two and a half years.

The original cast of STOMP have recorded music for the Tank Girl movie soundtrack and appeared on the Quincy Jones album, Q’s Jook Joint. A soundtrack recorded by McNicholas and Cresswell for the Showtime movie Riot was released in spring 1997. STOMP has also featured in several commercials, including Coca-Cola’s “Ice Pick” and numerous spots for Target stores in the U.S. and Toyota in Japan.

STOMP also created the “Mr. Frear’s Ears” series of short films for Nickelodeon, whilst “Brooms,” a 15-minute short based around the opening routine, was nominated for an Academy Award. “Brooms” was also selected for screening at Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival and for competition at the Cannes Film Festival.

STOMP made a special appearance at the Academy Awards in March 1996, with an original piece involving the live synchronization of classic film clips and onstage action, featuring 20 performers from all five productions.

In summer 1997, McNicholas and Cresswell created and directed “STOMP OUT LOUD,” a 45-minute television special for HBO, which combined stage material with new pieces created for TV. It premiered in the U.S. in December 1997 and subsequently received four Emmy nominations for direction, sound mixing, multicamera editing and art direction; the special won an Emmy for multicamera editing. In 1998, the “STOMP OUT LOUD” video and DVD were released around the world. Another unique blend of live action and film footage was created for the Emmy Awards, in which STOMP effectively performed with Spike Jones.

STOMP performed after midnight on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at President Bill Clinton’s millennium celebrations.

In 2000, a “Sesame Street” special, “Let’s Make Music,” a collaboration between STOMP and the Muppets, was released on TV and video in North America.

Cresswell and McNicholas began production of their IMAX movie Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey in Brazil during Carnival 2000 and completed it in summer 2002. Pulse took the IMAX audience on a spectacular global journey, featuring performances from Kodo, Timbalada and Eva Yerbabuena. It was released to critical acclaim in New York in fall 2002 and went on to win two major awards at the International Festival of La Géode in Paris.

In September 2002, STOMP finally entered London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre, and later that year STOMP performed as part of the Royal Variety Performance for the second time.

In 2003, a new STOMP production opened at the Stuart Street Theatre in Boston and a unique Dolby Digital trailer featuring STOMP performances debuted in cinemas across the globe.

In 2004, New York celebrated 10 years of continuous performances of STOMP at the Orpheum Theater by temporarily renaming Second Avenue at Eighth Street Stomp Avenue.

In addition to the European tour, in 2005, STOMP returned to Tokyo for three weeks and toured to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.

In 2006, STOMP’s New York production passed its 5,000th performance mark. The same year, Cresswell and McNicholas directed a public service announcement for television called “Stomp Out Litter,” which featured the cast “sweeping up” at iconic locations in the five boroughs.

In addition, they were commissioned to create and produce The Lost and Found Orchestra, which takes the ideas behind STOMP to a symphonic level, in celebration of 40 years of the Brighton Festival. The LFO subsequently performed at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Sydney Festival early in 2007, was seen at the Royal Festival Hall in London at Christmas 2008 and the Theater Carré in February 2009.

In 2007, STOMP OUT LOUD opened in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino with an expanded cast and performed inside a new $28 million theater, specifically created for the production. The West End entered its sixth consecutive year with a move from the Vaudeville to the Ambassadors Theatre.

In 2008, STOMP returned to its roots for a new DVD shoot at the Brighton Dome, bringing together a cast from all over the STOMP world. For the first time, the entire show was captured in high-definition sound and video. The same year, McNicholas and Cresswell expanded into new areas with the release of their IMAX 3D nature documentary Wild Ocean, with a symphonic mix of percussion and traditional orchestra in the soundtrack. Wild Ocean won two awards at the Giant Screen Cinema Association for Best Sound and Best Original Score at their annual conference held in New York.

The Lost and Found Orchestra reunited in 2010 for a new show, PANDEMONIUM, which appeared in several U.S. cities throughout fall.

In 2011, the New York production of STOMP entered its 18th year, trouncing the Orpheum house record set by Little Shop of Horrors. It also entered its 10th year in the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre, while McNicholas and Cresswell continued with their 3D film work. In 2012, The Last Reef, a 3D film about the beauty and the plight of reefs worldwide, was released. As with Wild Ocean, Cresswell and McNicholas composed the film’s orchestral soundtrack, recording it at The Old Market theater in their hometown of Brighton and Hove in the U.K. They also celebrated the one-year anniversary of The Old Market, which, having renovated it in 2011, they now run as a full-time venue, bringing music, theater, dance, comedy and visual arts to the U.K.’s south coast.

In August 2012, the largest ever assembly of STOMP performers (40 performers from 12 different countries) came together for a choreographed appearance in the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

STOMP was created with the original U.K. cast: Luke Cresswell, Nick Dwyer, Sarah Eddy, Theseus Gerard, Fraser Morrison, David Olrod, Carl Smith, and Fiona Wilkes.

Opolo Wines is a proud sponsor of The Soraya.
A TASTE OF PASO ROBLES WINE COUNTRY

Program Note

STOMP is ingenuity at its best, and it’s been a staple on stages across America for 30 years. In fact, I recall when I first saw it in Chicago in the 1990s with all my nieces and nephews in tow. It’s part of our family legend still all these years later.

At The Soraya, we relish the idea of introducing young people to the magic that happens onstage, both in our education programs and the family performances that appear on our calendar. Not only are those young people the audiences of tomorrow, the benefits of music and dance for young people are extensive, and further research continues to reveal more and more of those benefits.

Thanks for being here, and if you brought some young folks with you, an extra big thank-you. Please join us again on March 22 for Yamato.

Gratefully,

Thor Steingraber

Executive and Artistic Director,

Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

CELEBRATE A DANCE LEGEND'S MILESTONE

Twyla Tharp — 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee

One of America’s most enduring and lauded living dance-makers, Twyla Tharp celebrates her 60th anniversary with a coast-to-coast tour featuring her award-winning ballet set to Beethoven’s “Diabelli Variations.” She also brings us a new piece with music by Philip Glass. Tharp’s use of music to create works of startling originality and beauty defines this important milestone performance.

Performers

Jude Caminos

Jude Caminos is a music director and musician based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where he majored in percussion performance and music education, with a minor in drama. Caminos moved to New York City in 2021 and has since been a freelance artist, preschool teacher, and children’s music performer. He has music-directed and performed in various cabarets across NYC. Most recently, Caminos music-directed Rent at Southern Plains Productions last spring. He is grateful for this opportunity. Caminos thanks his family, friends, and especially his girlfriend for their undying support and love.

Dilian Cantrell

Dilian Cantrell is a classically trained technical and street dancer from Stamford, Connecticut. He has been trained and mentored by choreographer Jimmy Locust. Studying Giordano jazz technique since a young age, Cantrell was able to learn the structure, maturity, technique, and professionalism that it takes to be a dancer and performer. He has performed across the tristate area in private performing art festivals, parades, charity events, and competitions. Cantrell is thrilled to be a part of the STOMP cast and can’t wait to share his love for dance and music with everyone.

Micah Cowher

Micah Cowher is a New York native with a passion for all things rhythm. Growing up playing drums, he went on to major in music education at New York University Steinhardt before studying musical theater and dance at AMDA. Since then, Cowher has traveled the world acting and drumming in various musicals and rock bands. Favorite theater credits include Rock of Ages, Shrek the Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Footloose, and Bayside! the Musical! Current band/producing projects include @nightwithoutcars, @theduderanch, and @thealicevalentine. When not performing, Cowher teaches percussion and tap dance at Dance Molinari while also managing his entertainment company, Imperial Entertainment.

John Gavin

John Gavin is an in-demand drummer and percussionist based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Florida, he has performed as a musician for the Walt Disney Company theme parks across the United States. Recently, Gavin has performed and recorded with the ska-rock group Streetlight Manifesto and played percussion on the soundtrack of the film, Cam. He has a bachelor of music education from the University of Central Florida and a master of music from New York University. He would like to thank his friends and family for the unending support and every teacher who has shared their knowledge.

Danielle Imani

Danielle Imani is a powerhouse performer with a bachelor’s in kinesiology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Skilled in West African, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and body percussion, she has graced the stage with Cirque du Soleil, Jessica Reedy, Shaq, and Gwen Stefani. As director of AfroSexy in Las Vegas, Imani leads productions that inspire confidence and empowerment. Passionate about teaching artistic expression, she has toured globally with the renowned body percussion company, Molodi. Through her company, Blvk Empower, Imani helps others discover healing through movement-based energy flow. Recently married and a proud dog mom of two, she continues to create and inspire.

Ben Johnson

It’s a dream come true for Ben Johnson to be an official member of the STOMP family. Raised in Rockford, Illinois, he graduated from Rockford University with a BFA in musical theater. Johnson most recently performed as Big Bird in the national tour of Sesame Street Live! Credits also include: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Weston); Grease; Once (PMT); and Elf (The Studio). Theme-park goers may have seen him perform at Cedar Point and Kings Dominion. Offstage, Johnson loves to write songs and release music online. He thanks his friends and family for all their support.

Zahna Johnson

Zahna Johnson is a dance artist and performer from Dallas. She earned her BFA in dance at Sam Houston State University in 2021 and has since made her way to New York City. A New Jersey native, Johnson’s training spans the country and across styles. Tap dance has always been her true love; being a part of STOMP has only made that passion grow. Johnson feels blessed that God gave her a life in the arts. She thanks her family and friends for supporting her every step of the way.

Michael Mendoza

Michael Mendoza is a Brooklyn, New York-based musician and educator with over a decade of experience. He passionately teaches and nurtures the talents of young musicians through The Brooklyn Steppers. Mendoza performs with Blue Devils Entertainment, playing with the New York Giants drumline and major events. His standout moments include performing at Spike Lee’s Purple People Party, being featured on Netflix’s “She’s Gotta Have It,” and performing with Lil Nas X at the 2021 VMAs. In his free time, Mendoza enjoys photography, anime, and video games. He’s grateful for his journey with STOMP and the unwavering support from his loved ones.

Jayme Overton

Jayme Overton is from Williamsburg, Virginia, and received a degree in therapeutic recreation at St. Joseph’s University, New York in 2023. She has trained in various styles of dance but found her love for tap dance at age 10. Now a New York City resident, Overton has attended several dance intensive festivals, such as the tap dance program at The School at Jacob’s Pillow, and performed in shows under the direction of Michelle Dorrance, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Derick K. Grant, and many more. She was a member of the final cast of STOMP NYC. Overton is grateful to be a part of STOMP and create music with her fellow artists.

Andrew Patrick

Massachusetts native and now a London resident, Andrew Patrick began his STOMP journey in 2002 in New York City. Having spent the past 22 years performing in the London and Boston productions, the U.S. tour, and the international tour, he is excited to return to North America for the 30th anniversary tour. Patrick feels fortunate to have been a part of the STOMP family as long as he has. Seeing the world and putting smiles on audience’s faces while playing music and performing has been an absolute dream come true. Outside of STOMP, he is also a singer-songwriter and is involved with various music projects playing drums.

Isaiah Robinson

Isaiah Robinson is excited to be making his STOMP debut on the 30th anniversary national tour. Originally from New Jersey, he graduated from Montclair State University’s BFA acting program last May. Robinson would like to thank the entire STOMP cast and crew for welcoming him into the family. He’d also like to give a special shout out to Jasmine, Sean, and Jordan for their time and mentorship. Robinson continues to be encouraged, loved, and supported by his family and friends who he cherishes deeply.

Cade Slattery

Originally from San Diego, Cade Slattery joined a percussion motivational performance group called Jr. Crew in 2006 run by Chris Rubio, formerly of STOMP, which sparked his love for the show. He is grateful to be part of the STOMP family. Slattery thanks Sophie, his mom and dad, Chris, his best friends Alex and Suco, and Uncle Paul. Outside of STOMP, Slattery creates electronic music.

STOMP Directors & General Management

Luke Cresswell, Director

Luke Cresswell is a self-taught percussionist from Brighton, England. His session work as a drummer and rhythm programmer includes Beats International, Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, and Bryan Ferry. After working for several years as a street musician and performer, Cresswell created STOMP in 1991. He has directed, with Steve McNicholas, several award-winning commercials and short films. Cresswell received an Oscar® nomination for the film “Brooms,” and an Emmy® nomination for STOMP OUT LOUD. He co-directed the award-winning IMAX movie, Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey. Cresswell has also received a special achievement award from the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. More recently, he co-created the Lost and Found Orchestra and the Vegas production of STOMP OUT LOUD; he also co-directed the 3D IMAX movie Wild Ocean. Cresswell occasionally performs with STOMP and is currently conductor of the LFO.

Steve McNicholas, Director

Steve McNicholas, from Yorkshire, England, has worked as an actor, singer, musician, and writer with various theatrical and musical groups, starting out with the Bradford Theatre Group in 1973. Through the ’80s, he worked with Cliff Hanger, Covent Garden Community Theatre, and Pookiesnackenburger. Despite also being an original member of a cappella group the Flying Pickets, and doing a final appearance in Mr. Bean, McNicholas no longer performs. He shares directorial credits with Luke Cresswell on STOMP-based films and commercials, and their new show, the Lost and Found Orchestra. With Cresswell, McNicholas composed the soundtrack to the Showtime movie, Riot, and shares Oscar and Emmy nominations for his work on “Brooms” and STOMP OUT LOUD. He co-directed the award-winning IMAX movie, Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey; he also co-created the LFO and co-directed the 3D IMAX movie, Wild Ocean, released worldwide in 2008.

FGTM/Roberta Roberts, General Management

Richard Frankel and Roberta Roberts have been working together for the past 11 years in New York and on tour in the U.S. Shows general managed by Richard Frankel Productions and FGTM include STOMP, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Sound of Music, The Weir, Swing!, The Producers, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, Company, Young Frankenstein, Gypsy, The Norman Conquests, Finian’s Rainbow, Burn the Floor, A Little Night Music, The Rocky Horror Show, Forever Tango, Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, Necessary Targets, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Murder Ballad, Los Monólogos de la Vagina, Lennon: Through a Glass Onion, and Flashdance. Frankel and his partners Tom Viertel and Steve Baruch own and operate 54 Below, Broadway’s supper club.

STOMP Producers

Bang! Theatricals

Bang! Theatricals is a company whose principals are Richard Frankel, Alan Schuster, and Aldo Scrofani. Along with the late Gary McAvay, they have been the producers, managers, and touring executives of STOMP since they premiered the show in North America in 1994. Their collective professional experience in theater totals 190 years.

Harriet Newman Leve

Harriet Newman Leve is a Tony Award-winning producer. Broadway credits include: Anastasia; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; An American in Paris; Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Of Mice and Men; Ann; One Man, Two Guvnors; War Horse; Norman Conquests; Mountaintop; La Cage aux Folles; A Little Night Music; The 39 Steps; Diary of Anne Frank; The Crucible; Hedda Gabler; The Lieutenant of Inishmore; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Off Broadway: Beebo Brinker Chronicles; Family Secrets; Shockheaded Peter; Necessary Targets; and Communicating Doors. She is a member of The Broadway League and was on the board of directors of New York Stage and Film for four years.

James D. Stern

CEO of Endgame Entertainment James D. Stern has produced or directed over 50 shows or movies, including Broadway: A Little Night Music, Hairspray, The Producers, Legally Blonde, and STOMP. Film: An Education; Every Little Step; It’s the Rage; Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey; Michael Jordan to the Max; Proof; Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle; and I’m Not There.

Morton Wolkowitz

Morton Wolkowitz’s theatrical producing credits included: Donnybrook! music and lyrics by Johnny Burke; The Enemy Is Dead, starring Linda Lavin; My Astonishing Self, starring Donal Donnelly; The Unexpected Man by Yasmina Reza, starring Alan Bates and Eileen Atkins; From Door to Door by James Sherman; One Shot, One Kill by Richard Vetere; Tryst by Karoline Leach, directed by Joe Brancato; and STOMP OUT LOUD in Las Vegas. Part of Suitz LLC with Richard Sudock and Michael Wolkowitz. As former chairman and director of Key Energy Services Inc., he enjoyed success in the industrial and financial worlds. Married to actress Anita Keal.

Mitchell Maxwell

Mitchell Maxwell has produced six Broadway shows, 21 off-Broadway shows, four national tours, three West End shows, and five feature films. His shows have won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Obie awards. Maxwell’s long-running off-Broadway hit, Dinner With Friends, by Donald Margulies, was the recipient of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Susan Quint Gallin/Suki Sandler

Productions include: Desperately Seeking Susan (London); Spamalot; STOMP (New York and tour); Woman Before a Glass; The Retreat From Moscow; Man of La Mancha (2002 Revival); The Shape of Things; Hedda Gabler (2001 Broadway); Fully Committed; Cowgirls; Angels in America; From the Mississippi Delta; The Rothschilds (Revival); Other People’s Money; Burn This; and The Cryptogram (London).

Dan Markley

Dan Markley’s producing credits include: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas; High Fidelity; Family Secrets (rev.); Vagina Monologues; Lifegame; Damn Yankees; On the Waterfront; Oleanna; and Jeffrey.

Jennifer Manocherian

Jennifer Manocherian’s Broadway credits include: Spring Awakening; The Little Dog Laughed; Caroline, or Change; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Thoroughly Modern Millie; The Crucible; Jane Eyre, the musical; and The Kentucky Cycle. Off Broadway: Berkshire Village Idiot; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh; Showing Off; and The Palace of Amateurs. She also co-wrote and produced the film Family Blues.

Fred Bracken, Associate Producer

Fred Bracken first saw STOMP in Australia and resolved to see it performed in New York. Bracken works for CNN.

Richard Frankel Productions/Marc Routh, Executive Producers

Richard Frankel and Marc Routh have been producing and general managing shows together since 1985. Some of their productions include Young Frankenstein, Hairspray, Gypsy, and STOMP in New York, and STOMP OUT LOUD in Las Vegas, Sweeney Todd on tour, Little Shop of Horrors in London, as well as a U.K. tour of The Producers and The King and I and SpongeBob SquarePants Live! in Asia. With their partners Tom Viertel and Steve Baruch, they have produced some 60 additional musicals and plays in New York, London, and in Asia including: Back to the Future, Company, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Swing, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Penn & Teller, Driving Miss Daisy, Love Letters, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and Angels in America.

Alan J. Schuster, Executive Producer

Alan J. Schuster has operated the Orpheum, Minetta Lane, Union Square, 2nd Avenue and The Cherry Lane theaters in New York, and The Royal George Complex in Chicago. He built 37 Arts, the home to the Baryshnikov Arts Center and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. He has produced over 25 productions including STOMP OUT LOUD, Key Exchange, David Mamet’s Oleanna, Marvin’s Room, Jeffrey, Vita & Virginia, and Shockheaded Peter.

Aldo Scrofani, Executive Producer

Aldo Scrofani is the chief operating officer of the Apollo Theater Foundation, which includes the iconic Apollo Theater. Founding producer of STOMP. President and CEO of Theatre Management Associates Inc. COO of Columbia Artists Theatricals for 18 years. Executive VP of Jujamcyn Theatres for 13 years. Over 100 productions including: Gone With the Wind, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, LoveMusik, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Noise/Funk, Tap Dogs, Sunset Boulevard, Carousel, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, City of Angels, Grand Hotel, M. Butterfly, Jelly’s Last Jam, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Big River, My One and Only, and Dracula.

STOMP Staff

General Management | FGTM/Richard Frankel and Roberta Roberts

Company Manager | Carla Marie Rugg

General Press Representative | Boneau/Bryan-Brown/Chris Boneau and Jackie Green

Tour Press Representative | C Major Marketing & Publicity/Catherine Major

Production Manager | Ricardo de Arruda Camargo

Assistant Company Manager | Hannah DelMonte

Production Carpenter | Mark Miller

Lighting Director | Vivian Santana

Production Props | Austin Huehn

Production Electrician | Andrew Hildner

Production Sound | Steve J. Reynolds

Associate General Manager | Shelley Little

Controller | Galbraith & Company/Amanda Hayek

Assistant to Mr. Frankel | Stephanie Lazard

Information Technology Manager | Ben Bigby

Set Dresser | Stacey-Jo Marine

Photographers | Marc Bryan-Brown, Steve McNicholas, Lois Greenfield, Jun-Ichi Takahashi, Harry Pocius

Legal Counsel | S. Jean Ward, Esq.

Insurance | DeWitt Stern Group, Risk Management Underwriters Inc.

Accounting | Adam Hoffman, Hoffman & Bentovim CPAs

Travel & Housing | Road Rebel Entertainment Touring

Payroll Services | Stratus Solutions PEO, Payroll Data Processing LLC

Merchandising | Marquee Merchandise, Inc./Matt Murphy

Physical Therapy | NEURO TOUR Physical Therapy Inc.

Physical Therapist | Hannah Mark, PT

Medical Director | Charles Garten, MD

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Acknowledgments

Original production presented by Yes/No People in association with Glynis Henderson and Loretta Sacco. STOMP’s exclusive agent and general inquiries: Loretta Sacco, c/o Yes/No Productions, N1 Offices, The Old Market, 11A Upper Market Street, Hove BN3 1AS, U.K. Phone: 011.44.127.371.1151

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Exclusive North American Tour Booking

Columbia Artists Theatricals

Magaly Barone, Justine Spingler

www.columbiaartiststheatricals.com

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Credits

Designed by Yes/No Productions Ltd.

Trucking by Janco

Scenery built by Light & Sound Design

Zippo lighters courtesy of Zippo Manufacturing Company

“Super Big Gulp” cups courtesy of Southland Corp.

Ski boots by Rossignol Ski Co.

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Special Thanks

More Merchandising/George Fenmore, Brad Bauner, Paul J. Botchis, David W. Caldwell, Sarah Eddy, E. Maria Flotta, Theseus Gerard, Fraser Morrison, Niclas Nagler, Jason Pelusio, Carl Smith, Joe Watson, Fiona Wilkes, Derek Worley

AWARD-WINNING JAZZ FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR A JAM-PACKED FOURTH SEASON

Jazz at Naz

The annual Jazz at Naz festival has been recognized as one of the best winter jazz festivals on the West Coast as well as the jazz epicenter in Los Angeles. Jazz at Naz has showcased major debuts for emerging artists, such as two-time Grammy Award-winner Samara Joy, and created a home for the world’s jazz legends, such as John Pizzarelli, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, and Charles Lloyd. The festival has also turned the spotlight on influential crossover artists, such as Bobby and Taylor McFerrin, Diana Krall, Jon Batiste, Gregory Porter, Herb Alpert, and Lani Hall.

Returning after their sold-out debut last season, Pacific Jazz Orchestra opens the Jazz at Naz festival’s fourth season headlined by Eva Noblezada, a Grammy Award-winning and two-time Tony-nominated Broadway and West End star.

This season, The Soraya also welcomes saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, as well as the return of Christian McBride to the onstage, intimate Jazz Club for two nights each.

Fresh from a monthlong celebration of the music of the great Duke Ellington, Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran returns to The Soraya for the fourth time to continue the festivities honoring the Duke’s enduring legacy and his 125th birthday. In addition to entertaining from the piano, Moran will lead CSUN’s award-winning Jazz “A” big band to join him in furthering The Soraya’s ongoing commitment to music and arts education.

Also presented in the Great Hall during the Jazz at Naz festival will be Kurt Elling Celebrates Weather Report with Yellowjackets, and Chucho Valdés who brings Irakere back to life honoring its 50th anniversary with special guest Arturo Sandoval in a return engagement.

Photo by Luis Luque | Luque Photography

You Belong Here

This is your opportunity to belong to something special. Our 2024-25 Members enjoy exclusive experiences, such as the Member Appreciation Night for all Members, special events and artist meet-and-greets (Silver Members and above), private pre-performance artist salons (Silver Members and above), our festive holiday party, the annual Director’s Dinner in 2025 (Platinum Members), and more — as well as priority access to your preferred seats, your very own Members Only Seating Section, and exclusive savings when you select five or more performances. Most importantly, Member benefits are valid all season.

Beyond the benefits, Members drive our mission to present the highest caliber artists who captivate, inspire, and transport our audiences. Here, Members are part of a growing community of arts lovers connected by the joy of shared human experience. Here, Members belong.

About Us

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is an award-winning, 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 and was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers. In 2017, a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian dubbed the venue The Soraya (formerly the Valley Performing Arts Center). A vibrant performance program has served to establish The Soraya as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and its 1.8 million residents, and further establish The Soraya as one of the top arts companies in Southern California.

The Soraya’s 2024-25 Season boldly advances the immersive sound of big orchestras; the free flow of jazz; an array of dance; and a cultural bounty drawn from the well of world traditions. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to innovating, excelling, and amplifying access by offering a wide variety of performances that reflect LA’s many distinctive communities and featuring new and original work from the Los Angeles region as well as artists from around the world.

Located on the vibrant campus of the California State University, Northridge, The Soraya and the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication share an integral link that enhances student opportunities in the arts and performing arts. This partnership fosters academic opportunity and artistic excellence, elevating the talents of CSUN’s students.

A $5 million contribution from record producer and former California Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb was pivotal in ensuring The Soraya was completed and opened in 2011. For his founding support and in acknowledgment of the integral relationship between the Mike Curb College and The Soraya, Curb is recognized as one of The Soraya’s Cornerstone Benefactors. The relationship between The Soraya and the Mike Curb College continues to grow, with robust offerings for students through master classes, student tickets, concerts of student ensembles, and students appearing alongside renowned artists, such as Wynton Marsalis, Aida Cuevas, and Martha Graham Dance Company.