A Guide to Stomp at CCP (practical tips for other shows, too)

1. Be on time. Being on time in traditional etiquette terms means being at the location at least 15 minutes before the schedule. Take it from us. We were ALMOST late! And if you are late, you will miss the first 10 minutes. I hope you do not miss the opening act.
   
   Our experience:
   7:40 PM - Parking
   7:50 PM - Elevator to designated floor
   7:55 PM - Check tickets at floor entrance (By this time, we are now hearing Lupang Hinirang so we stopped moving.)
   8:00 PM - Stairs up the balcony
   And then, stink happened. The balcony usher at the entrance door blocked us. “Ma’am the show has started. Please wait over there.”  while pointing somewhere away from the door. GAH! No, we’re not going to stand back there! Mom panicked and somewhat so furious that the girl could not resist us anymore. We were then directed to our seats, which were NOT our assigned paid seats. As to why the wrong seats, see item #4.
   
   
2. Do not bring food and drinks. It’s not like in the cinemas. *Shrug*
   
   Our experience:
   My sister and I did not have time for dinner as we left our offices quite late. Mom just bought some bread to munch on. And super hassle when the girl at the floor entrance confiscated the whole bag from us. Whatever. Excitement overshadowed hunger.
   
   
3. Know where you should sit beforehand. Which floor level? Section? Is it Center B26? Check your tickets. Check the seat plan online to have an idea. Memorize the details because by the time you get to the inside theater, you will have a hard time reading the small numbers on your tickets because it’s very dark. Usher’s flashlight or cellphone light comes in handy but still a hassle. Like my mom…. she had to put on eyeglasses pa.
   
   Our experience:
   Good thing I memorized our numbers because I unconsciously slipped our tickets inside the food bag, which was left at the front entrance door downstairs. Absent-minded me! We looked over to our supposed seat, Center - 2nd row, and saw that all our four seats were filled up. I’m not sure what happened but seems like nakalusot sila sa ushers. We’re kind of in a hurry to seat to not distract other people so we just gave in to the usher’s suggestion — to take seats on the right block, second row. Still a good view since it’s near the center aisle but I was a bit perplexed as to why we didn’t dare grab our own seats. If we just applied Guide #1, we could have gotten a better view.
   
   
4. If you have no problem with moolahs but not sure which are the best seats, I recommend you get the first upper box. We got the 3rd upper box, second to the cheapest section, and we did not see one 5-minute act because the top curtains were blocking our view of the stage’s second floor. It’s very frustrating, 5 minutes of blindspot… filed under least favorite act. Haha. The rest of the performances were great nonetheless.
   
   
5. For money savers like me, haha, you may look out for promos. Citibank Visa card holders were given 25% discount for Oct. 18 & 19 shows. There may still be more offers like these in the coming days so watch out. Sometimes groupon websites (ie.cash cash pinoy, metrodeal, etc) offer deals at the very last minute — maybe to fill up the last few seats. Just be aware though because if you’re coming with someone, probably you will not be seated together. They also offer student discounts. I recommend you go during weekdays because it’s much cheaper. (I posted this on a Friday, the last weekday with Stomp, so this tip is nonsense, sorry! Haha) I think Saturday is much cheaper than Sunday because Sunday is the last show (special, you think?) Online prices are not all exact.
   
   
6. Do not bring cameras especially the big, obvious ones, because you’ll risk leaving them at the baggage counter. We brought one digicam but the guard did not recognize it so…
   
   
7. If you happen to bring a cam inside the theater, or have a phone camera, do not take a picture even one shot or you’ll risk being shamed by the ushers when busted.
   
   
8. To be safer, park in well-lit areas, especially if you will come at night.
   
   
9. Go with people who you know will really appreciate the show. I think almost half of the audience in that show have some background in music or arts because when we were asked to clap some patterns, I noticed that the audience were able to deliver the rhythms very well.
   
   Our experience:
   Funny, ang ingay di ba… even though, my mom managed to steal a nap. Palusot niya, “mas maganda pakinggan ‘pag nakapikit”. Understandable because she had a very long tiring day. Kahit nga X-Men, Fast and Furious, etc, nakakatulog siya sa sinehan e. Haha. But you know my dad? He plays drums, congas, cleng-cleng whatnots for many years… a percussionist by heart. The family treat actually was mainly about him (and of course me —> fan!), since October is his birth month too. I see him shaking his ligaments to the beat. Enjoy talaga! Ako naman, I am more interested in HOW they do it in actual so I can truly appreciate the music produced rather than output interested lang, like my mom with eyes shut, walang keber sa HOW. Haha.
   
   
10. Entertainment is what you paid for so to be able to fully enjoy the show, do not mind sudden mishaps or bad trip. Don’t like the noisy all-knowing-commentator seatmate? Deal with it, shrug it off or let him/her be, and try to enjoy the rest of the show. Let the performers know how much you love the show. Laugh, clap, whistle, stand up, participate, enjoy!
    

They say if you have a chance to watch them live, then do! Eight shows only from Oct 18 – 23, 2011 at CCP theatre, so if you miss this opportunity, you can catch them again na lang in NYC… gudlak! Haha. If only I could make libre my peeps! For tickets, see www.ticketworld.com.ph

Di ako binayaran for this post. Na-astigan lang talaga ako.