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<\/a>Adding to the riches is a fine, alert, and indefatigable seven-piece show orchestra, led by Andy Ingersoll from the keyboard, with Dave Rumley, Rik Ogden, Oliver Shirley, Dave Chamberlain, Stefanie Schmitz and Ross Mitchell. Some of them have performed at Lamb\u2019s for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n
Historically, \u201cAmerican Rhythm\u201d surveys the Dust Bowl and westward migration, the Great Depression, two world wars, unpopular conflicts that followed, and all the attendant social changes. It aspires to do so without bias. Musically, it sweeps us from Tin Pan Alley to rock \u2018n\u2019 roll in a series of medleys performed in numerous combinations of talent and styles of movement.<\/p>\n
Despite rewriting and trimming, the piece seems to change its mission and purpose after bogging down like so many Joads in the admittedly fascinating Dust Bowl and Great Depression. Then it becomes more of what it should have been all along \u2014 a showcase for personality laden, talented singers and dancers, performing to music that spans the century.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlexander\u2019s Ragtime Band,\u201d \u201cOver There,\u201d \u201cSmile, Smile, Smile,\u201d \u201cBoogie Woogie Bugle Boy,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll Be Seeing You,\u201d \u201cAs Time Goes By,\u201d the Charleston, the stock Market Crash, \u201cBrother Can You Spare a Dime,\u201d medleys of Sinatra and Elvis songs, space exploration, equal rights, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassinations of two Kennedys and Martin Luther King; it\u2019s all there, just a mention or in full exploration.<\/p>\n The performances are outstanding, with indelible magic created by Bell\u2019s rendition of \u201cHis Eye is on the Sparrow,\u201d the chemistry and visual pleasure of dance performed by Hafso and Jacobs, and the company\u2019s splendid adaptability and a cappella singing.<\/p>\n It\u2019s perfect family entertainment, and indeed many families attended the matinee of Sunday, July 19, the day of my attendance.<\/p>\n Where else can one enjoy a full evening of Campbell and Humphrey and the smooth delivery of Smith, who is the principal narrator?<\/p>\n<\/a>