REVIEW: Mannheim Steamroller Brings Snow And Technotraditions To Orpheum Theatre
If you're keeping track, it snowed twice this holiday season and The Nutcracker performed three times at the Orpheum Theatre.
The final bang – and the Sugar Plum Fairy Dance – came on Tuesday night when the Mannheim Steamroller brought its Christmas show to town.
“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” is a collection of Christmas greatest hits and includes the song that put founder Chip Davis on the charts – CW McCall's single “Convoy.” In the recording, Davis admits in a coffee shop in Nebraska that the two things he doesn't want to do are live in Nebraska and write country music.
However, the Omaha native managed to combine his national chart success with Best Mannheim, no. 1 Christmas for almost 40 years. Techno songs (like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Deck the Halls") are the reason.
People also read...
Proving that the six musicians (and backing band) had a lot more to offer, they played samples from the “Fresh Air” album, including “Come Home to the Sea,” which seemed like the perfect accompaniment to a reading of “Pious.” “Come to the sea house,” said a voice. Jonathan Livingston's Seagulls.
While keyboardist David Plank gets some of the spotlight, the other five players have plenty of opportunities to show their versatility. They pulled out recorders and various instruments and danced from "Rudolph" to "Joy to the World."
A version of “Greensaves” recorded several years ago by Davis' daughter Elise was the only vocal performance of the evening. The Ellyse Davis Show filmed in Omaha was supposed to be shown live.
What could the band do without the incredible lighting that makes "Catching Snowflakes With Your Tongue" almost mesmerizing. Like flashlights, they started the show spectacularly. Luckily, traditional Christmas carols restore the spirit and all is well in the world of Mannheim.
“O Holy Night” is a moving first act and conclusion; It reminds us of the silly videos "Gagliarda" Davis used to make.
Although Tuesday's show didn't feature any additional singles for the six, it still featured some of their best moments. (Keyboardist Anna LaCaff had a chance to do some Plank exercises.)
Thomas Kinkade style visuals are associated with many of the songs on Then It Was Snow. It was a nice move (remember, the Dodgers did it for the first time this year) but it wasn't completely necessary. As in Mannheim, surprises are part of the festival tradition.
Bruce Miller is the editor of the Sioux City Journal.
