Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Orpheum Theatre

“Mannheim Steamroller is a national treasure. They always deliver, and their Christmas Show is always breathtakingly joyful!”
–DC Theatre Arts

In the 1970s, the multi-instrumentalist Chip Davis created an unconventional album of classical music with rock influences. He recorded it with only two other players and a number of synthesizers. Since no significant record company would release the album, Davis established his own label, American Gramaphone. Under the alias Mannheim Steamroller, he released the album “Fresh Aire” in 1974. Since then, 41 million records have been sold by Davis. Speaking of the Mannheim Steamroller, Davis said: “I wanted to explore new ways of expressing music and created a sound I call ‘18th-century classic rock.’ I don’t believe in all acoustic or all electronic, all digital or all analog. My style is where they all meet.”

In 1984, the Mannheim Steamroller came out with its first Christmas album, and was followed by its very first tour. The success of both has led the Mannheim Steamroller to great heights, and now celebrating almost four decades of The Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour. The tour has become an annual tradition among Americans, and families from all over the nation flock to witness their wondrous shows. The concert gives the audience an immersive experience that is very different from simply listening to the records.

“On a CD, you cannot see the band playing live with a 20-piece orchestra,” Davis said. “Additionally, the repertoire they perform is not on one single CD. It is a compilation of Christmas classics, so a completely fresh experience. And by the way — speaking of fresh — the concert has some selected tracks of Fresh Aire music which are not on any of our Christmas CDs.”

The fan base for Mannheim Steamroller is extremely diverse, including everyone from young children to elderly people in their eighties. Roxanne Layton, member of the ensemble, remarked: “It really is amazing how diverse our audience is. I love that about Mannheim. I love looking out at the sea of faces. I love the diversity.”

The complete “Christmas 1984” debut album by Mannheim Steamroller is to be performed on this year’s tour. There will be performances of Christmas classics like “Deck the Halls,” “We Three Kings,” and “Good King Wenceslas.” Catch the magical performance and immerse yourself in the spirit and joys of the Christmas season at the Orpheum Theatre Omaha on Saturday, the 23rd of December, 2023!