The band will play songs from our new CD, but theyll also take plenty of time to showcase many favorites from our previous [multi-platinum] Christmas albums, said Mannheim founder and composer Chip Davis. The music, along with our state of the art multimedia production, is meant to make this an experience for the whole family.
Known for its now classic arrangements of Silent Night, Deck the Halls, and Angels We Have Heard On High, the latest Mannheim holiday albums, Christmas Story and Christmasville, mark Mannheim Steamrollers eighth and ninth Christmas titles. Total album sales for the Christmas series have exceeded 35 million copies worldwide thus far, surpassing that of industry icons and solidifying the bands place in music history as the largest selling Christmas artist of all time.
This years tour will be unique because audiences will see two Mannheim Steamroller troupes on the road simultaneously. This is because Chip Davis is recovering from surgery that took place earlier this year.
The annual Mannheim Steamroller Christmas tour is always my most favorite part of the year, said Davis. Unfortunately I am still under doctors orders to rest and recover, and the rigors of touring would be too difficult.
However, recognizing that the tour has become a beloved 20-year tradition among fans, Davis came up with the idea of sending two troupes on tour performing the exact same music and light show as the original Mannheim Steamroller. One troupe will tour along the East Coast, the other through the West and Midwest. Drawing from a pool of talented musicians and former Mannheim Steamroller students, the members of each touring troupe were hand-selected by Davis himself.
After getting a chance to see a trial run recently, Chip described the extravaganza: For the first time in my career, I sat in the audience and watched a live Mannheim Steamroller concert. Its the same music, same media, same light show, but only the musicians are different. Wow, that Mannheim Steamroller really puts on a great show!
Davis promises that upcoming holiday tour dates will showcase the bands ability to break new musical ground. Christmas music should touch people in a way that is familiar. Yet by giving the songs a 21st Century perspective, a door opens deep inside. In an instant, the seasons message of hope and miracles comes alive, Davis said.
For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre box office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.
The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich peoples lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatres programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis Fri, December 12 at 8pm: $75, $65, $55, $45
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