AMP’s 2018 production explores life in the early 20th-century mafia and the interplay between families in this world of crime.

Entitled, "La Famiglia," AMP begins its show with an opening dance sequence between two male dancers that can be seen as two brothers fighting for control of the family. As they dance, there is an arch prop that is used to signify a doorway in which the two dancers seem to want to throw each other out.

This opening dance is set to the trumpet solo from "The Godfather" and is voiced by Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone. 

The first full ensemble moment is also a solo. It features a single red rose flag backed by the remainder of the guard in a full-ensemble dance work set to the full orchestra arrangement of the main theme to "The Godfather."

Then the guard transitions into a partnered waltz while introducing saber work for the first time, which builds to a saber toss followed by a saber exchange. 

As the waltz comes to a close, the guard dances to the edge of the floor and then a rifle is thrown into the middle of the floor timed with a gunshot. This introduces Lorde’s cover of "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" by Tears for Fears. 

Bravo, bravo, AMP! Che piacere. "La Famiglia" is an absolute delight. #wgiSouthBrunswick pic.twitter.com/xCkQBJMDEX

— FloMarching (@FloMarching) February 25, 2018

What follows next is a saturation of the floor with all four phases of the guard. A new flag based on the Italian flag is used while rifle, saber, and dance all join the mix.

As the floor is layered with performers staggered with different equipment, the music is becoming more and more layered as well. Lorde’s cover continues to build while quotes from "The Godfather" begin to grow and hint at violence.

Then a new piece of music is introduced. 

The new music is the film score written by Leonard Bernstein from "On The Waterfront." Brando also stars in the 1954 American crime drama film directed by Elia Kazan, which focuses on union violence, corruption, and racketeering in New Jersey. Very similar themes to The Godfather.

As the lyrics from Lorde build to the main phrase, “Everybody wants to rule the world,” the guard introduces a new flag with the image of a gun.

Now, Bernstein’s frantic music takes over the tempo and pacing of the show but is contradicted by the long, lyrical opera singing of Andrea Bocelli. As Bocelli fades, the audience is left with a visual buffet of performers working.

As the bells begin to toll in the music, the guard begins to transition using individual tosses that lead to a trio of rifles throws. Following this is another rifle exchange by the two characters who began the show.

This is the peak of the tension between the two characters as one points the rifle at the other in anger.

Then the guard reintroduces the rose-themed flag soloist under the music of a guitar playing the theme from "The Godfather." The soloist is backed by an ensemble of dancers as she does an exchange with the rose flag to a male partner. 

Boccelli takes the lead again as more rose flags build toward their main flag feature. The texturing and layering during this flag work is quite astonishing. It does a great job of crescendoing to the peak without necessarily having that singular moment where everyone is spinning the same work. Just when you do think it reaches that peak, a beautiful rippled toss from the back right corner of the floor to the front left side acts as the end of this high point.

Then the arch prop is repositioned on the floor as all of the male performers walk under it, signifing their unity and reaffirming their commitment to La Famiglia.