Rhythm & Rails
Join us for the premiere of Rhythm & Rails, a multi-media performance featuring railroad-themed tunes that explore the complex history and impact of railroads on the landscape, lives, livelihood and culture of Northampton and the region from the 19th century until the present.
Drawing on research in local archives, and in collaboration with Jim Armenti and Jerry Bryant on music selections, writer/director Trudy Williams has created a show with contributions by Tracy Grammer that weaves together a blend of narrative, live music, theatrical vignettes, and projected archival images from the collections of Forbes Library, Historic Northampton and other local institutions.
Tunes are drawn from American roots, folk, ragtime, blues, jazz, pop, and rock, and will be performed by some of the area’s most talented musicians. The cast includes Jim Armenti, Jerry Bryant, Joe Blumenthal, Tracy Grammer, Rose Jackson, Cindy Naughton, Mark Roberts, Dan Scott, Tom Scott, Adrienne Wade, Rebecca Weiss, with Bill Cutler and Shirly Van Kanin, as well as special appearance by Maryliz Maldanado and Will Messier from the Corn Stalk Fiddle Choir directed by Cindy Naughton. Stage manager: Elie Berman. Sound: Jared Libby.
Many of the songs are toe-tapping, others expressive and poignant; some are familiar, others rarely heard.
The timely program coincides with the East-West railway initiative, the renewed interest in rail travel to and from Northampton, and the Rail Trail project.
Rhythm & Rails was created by Trudy Williams, Artistic Director of The Red Skies Music Ensemble, co-founded with George Boziwick to bring American public history to the stage. Partners and/or research resources for this show include Forbes Library, Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, Historic Northampton, as well as the American Antiquarian Society, Greenfield Historical Society, and Hadley Historical Society.
The show is free. Reservations not required. Donations appreciated. www.theredskiesmusicensemble.com
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