American Rhythm Continues to Celebrate a Century of Music at Lambs Players Theatre
From the jazz clubs of the 1920s to the neon glow of 1980s club nights, ‘American Rhythm’ is still lighting up Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado, California, until September 27, 2026. The production, revived for the United States’ 250th birthday, guides audiences through the key moments of a century—from 1900 to 2000—using music, dance, and narration to illustrate the social and cultural shifts of each decade.
Kerry Meads directs the show, with Vanda Egginton on musical direction and Colleen Kollar Smith choreographing the movement. The creative team blends the original 2016 cast—Michael Cusimano, Caitie Grady, and Joy Yandell‑Hall—with long‑time Lamb’s performers such as Angela Chatelain Avila, Natasha Reese, Sydney Joyner, and Lance Arthur Smith. Grady, who has appeared in more than 50 Lamb’s productions since 2010, earned a San Diego Critics Circle Award for her role in last year’s Once. Cusimano, founder of the Chalk Circle Collective, has received the Craig Noel Award and the 2019 Actor of the Year Award.
The score spans an impressive range of styles. Opening numbers include early‑20th‑century classics like “Putting on the Ritz” and “I Wanna Be Loved by You.” Later segments feature wartime ballads such as “The Very Thought of You” and “Strangers in the Night,” swing and rock‑and‑roll hits, and surf‑culture tunes. The 1970s are highlighted with a medley performed in lamé and leisure suits, while the 1980s showcase Devo’s “Energy Dome” aesthetic and songs by Paula Abdul, Dire Straits, and Faith Hill. Ben Read and Caleb Schanzenbach alternate on piano, playing selections from Elton John, Billy Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” A band of seven musicians—keys, percussion, bass, trumpet, guitar, saxophone, clarinet, and trombone—provides a steady backdrop for the vocal performances.
Audience members note that the second half of the show feels especially lively, likely because the music is more familiar to contemporary listeners. A cast member remarked, “There is nothing that expresses more freedom than music,” underscoring the production’s emphasis on music as a historical lens.
The production runs for 2 ½ hours, including one intermission, and is rated appropriate for ages 5 and up. Tickets can be purchased online at lambsplayers.org or by calling (619) 437‑6000. The box office is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The show’s final performance is scheduled for September 27, after which tickets will no longer be available.
With its blend of historical narrative and musical variety, ‘American Rhythm’ offers a family‑friendly experience that appeals to audiences of all ages. The production’s continued run through late September provides a final opportunity for San Diego residents and visitors to witness a musical that celebrates a century of American sound.
