Interview: Daniel Taylor as John Lennon in LENNON – THROUGH A GLASS ONION

Part concert and part biography, LENNON - THROUGH A GLASS ONION celebrates the genius of John Lennon. The show, starring Daniel Taylor and Stewart D'Arrietta, features 31 of John Lennon's iconic hits, including solo works such as Imagine, Woman, Working Class Hero, and Jealous Guy and Lennon's collaborations with Paul McCartney, including Strawberry Fields Forever, Revolution, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

The show will appear at the Fox Performing Arts Center, in Riverside, for two performances, on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (The doors open an hour earlier).

Daniel Taylor, who plays John Lennon, was born and lives in Liverpool, UK, as was the real Lennon. Mr. Taylor trained at Webber Douglas Academy Of Dramatic Art, London. He has a strong background in both acting and music and has appeared both on stage and on television. He is also a singer songwriter who has released his critically acclaimed first album, "The Party Is Over," which is available on I-Tunes and Spotify.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.riversidelive.com or at the Fox Performing Arts Center box office Tues-Friday from 12pm-6pm and Saturday from 12pm-4pm. Ticket prices range from $26 to $61, plus fees. Call 951-779-9800 with any questions.

The Fox's web site is is www.riversidelive.com. The web site for LENNON - THROUGH A GLASS ONION is www.lennononstage.com.

Broadway World recently interviewed Mr. Taylor by email regarding his role in LENNON - THROUGH A GLASS ONION.

Broadway World: I noticed that you have played John Lennon before. What got you interested in doing a one-person show?

Daniel Taylor: LENNON - THROUGH A GLASS ONION is a two-man show. I share the stage with Stewart D'Arrietta who is not only the co-creator of the show, but also sings and plays piano. John Waters wrote the play.

I considered this to be a brilliant role. John Lennon is an iconic figure and to play someone so interesting, revolutionary, complex and a rock star - well you don't get much better parts than that.

I've always felt a connection with Lennon. We were born in the same place - Liverpool, UK. Both my parents knew Lennon and my mother & her friends hung out with the Beatles in West Darby Village. My father was born in 1940 - the same year as Lennon.

BWW: What kind of preparation did you have to do to look and sound like John Lennon?

DT: None at all actually. I look like Lennon. I have his nose! I studied countless hours of footage of Lennon on YouTube; I met with people that knew him; I listened to all his music; and I read everything I can find on the man. Basically - my preparation is to make sure I'm extremely knowledgable and to keep studying and learning about him.

BWW: When there's a news story about the Beatles or you hear a Beatles song, do you pay more attention than before you took on the role?

DT: Yes. Absolutely. Because I'm always listening for Lennon's voice in the tracks. He had so many influences at different times in his music career and it's interesting to see the transformations he makes.

BWW: Your background appears to be as much in acting as in music. How do the two come together in the show?

DT: Being an actor and a musician compliments the part. Lennon was such a complex character and he had to deal with a lot of personal tragedy in his life. He could be very difficult at the best of times - he was feisty and passionate - and that's what probably shaped the man and the imagination of John Lennon. I guess it's no surprise that Lennon's favourite book was "Alice In Wonderland".

BWW: What do you see as John Lennon's main legacy to the world?

DT: "Give Peace A Chance" - very apt right now amidst all the chaos and uncertainty in the world.....

BWW: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the readers of Broadway World?

DT: Come and meet the man that was John Lennon. This is not a tribute show. It's the story of Lennon's life.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography