By Madison Moretti
Mannheim Steamroller has made its grand arrival to the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City with its celebratory 35th Anniversary Christmas Tour by Chip Davis. Davis formed the techno-rock symphony orchestra in 1974, and the group released their first Christmas album ten years later, despite being told that a Christmas album would end Davis’s career. The group now boasts 74 released albums, EPs, and live performance recordings and continues to sell out shows across the nation.
Mannheim Steamroller is a unique group that blends new-age music, progressive rock, and even classical stylings to create a thrilling experience unlike any other. From the moment this team of talented musicians take the stage, the audience is immediately immersed in the performance. Nowhere else will you find an orchestra that plays techno-rock Christmas music set to a laser show, which is quite a shame considering how captivating this performance is.
In particular, I enjoyed “Greensleeves”, which featured Davis’s daughter Elyse Davis and her spectacular vocals, as well as the group’s rock rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. The featured performers of the evening, Mark Agnor on violin and conducting, Anna Lackaff on harpsichord and synthesizer, Joey Gulizia on percussion, Tom Sharpe on percussion and woodwind instruments, David Plank on piano and synthesizer, and Glen Cecil Smith on guitar, bass, and lute, each brought so much charisma and fun to the performance that it is perfectly obvious that they love their job and the music they play. The show’s lively theatrics have been masterfully designed and carried out by lighting director Tony Gibson, lighting technician Jesse Diaz, video technician Christian Behm, stage manager Morgan Karmann, and production manager Robby MacLean, and proves that Mannheim Steamroller is not Christmas music that blends in with your grandmother’s Burl Ives albums.
Mannheim Steamroller’s 35th Anniversary Christmas Tour by Chip Davis is playing now at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City for a very limited time only, with only two shows remaining on Wednesday, December 18th. Don’t miss out on this spectacular take on Christmas tradition that will leave you with a new sense of holiday spirit and maybe even a little adrenaline rush.
Live at the Eccles presents Mannheim Steamroller: 35th Anniversary Christmas Tour by Chip Davis.
The Eccles Theater, 131 Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
December 17-18, 2019, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM
Contact: 385-468-1010
Tickets: Starting at $62, all seats reserved.
The Eccles Theater Facebook Page
Live at the Eccles Facebook Page
Mannheim Steamroller Facebook Page
35th Anniversary Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Facebook Event
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