Interview: Steve Landes of RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES at Dr. Phillips Center on May 5
When the opening chords of a familiar Beatles tune drifts out of the doors of the Walt Disney Theater on May 5th, guests might just think they stepped back in time 50+ years to the iconic eras of Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour and all your favorite hits. And if they come see RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles presented by the Dr. Phillips Center, they might just succeed in that time travel. RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, a show that has been called 'the next best thing to seeing The Beatles,' boasts a repertoire of nearly 200 Beatles favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Hey Jude' to classic hits including 'Revolution' and 'Come Together.' Leading many of those familiar songs, in the iconic shoes of John Lennon is Steve Landes, and actor/singer/musician that has been performing Beatles-songs for most of his adult life and will be a part of the show when it arrives in Orlando. I had the privilege of speaking with Steve a number of years ago to learn a little more about his journey and our conversation still resonates today. Below is a re-sharing of our interview from 2009 (one of my first as a writer for BroadwayWorld!)
Harris Center Welcomes RAIN: A Tribute To The Beatles
Their final concert tour of the Beatles was in 1966, long before the release of classic albums such as "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "The White Album" and "Abbey Road." "The next best thing to seeing the Beatles" (Associated Press), RAIN has been celebrating the Beatles note for note since the 1990s, and have performed for nearly 2 million people worldwide. The Harris Center welcomes them back with a new show: a tribute to "Abbey Road"-nearly 50 years after the album's release - plus an exceptional selection of Beatle favorites across their fabled career.
BWW Interview: Steve Landes Talks RAIN Bringing The Beatles Back To NYC This Weekend
RAIN - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band! For the first time ever, RAIN will bring the historic album to life in its entirety for this psychedelic multimedia spectacular! This mind blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing the Beatles. Experience the world's most iconic band live with a two hour family friendly show -- come celebrate 50 years of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with RAIN - A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES. The show runs at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden May 3-6. Buy tickets here!
BWW Review: RAIN: 50 YEARS OF SGT. PEPPERS, London Palladium
Fifty years ago, The Beatles changed the face of pop music when they released the iconic Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. Billed by many as the first concept album, it marked a shift in focus to the recording studio from the live performance arena, as the frustrated band simply wanted their music to be heard. This, of course, meant that they would never perform these songs live - something that Rain have decided to put right.
BWW Review: RAIN Brings the Music and Magic of The Beatles LIVE to the Pantages!
RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, a total of 36 songs on the night I attended. It's quite a treat going from The Beatles appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show through 'Let it Be' and 'Hey Jude,' two of the last songs the group recorded together, with each album time shift accompanied by costume and physical appearance changes by the group as well as many historical films/videos reflecting what was going on in the world at the time, from Vietnam to protests at home, their meditation trip to India, and the overall madness of screaming fans at Shea Stadium on 8-15-65.
Tickets On Sale Today for Broadway Sacramento's DIRTY DANCING, JOSEPH..., and RAIN
Single-show tickets go on sale today, Sept. 19 for three hit musicals in the 2014-15 Broadway Sacramento season: Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage, the high-energy musical based on the beloved 1987 movie; a new production of the ever-popular Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring two stars from American Idol and Broadway fame; and the return of the audience favorite RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles, in a newly expanded version of the show
Tickets On Sale Sept. 19 for Broadway Sacramento's DIRTY DANCING, JOSEPH..., and RAIN
Single-show tickets go on sale Sept. 19 for three hit musicals in the 2014-15 Broadway Sacramento season: Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage, the high-energy musical based on the beloved 1987 movie; a new production of the ever-popular Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring two stars from American Idol and Broadway fame; and the return of the audience favorite RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles, in a newly expanded version of the show
RAIN to Play Academy of Music, 6/11-15
Direct from their Broadway engagement, the internationally-acclaimed Beatles concert, RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles, returns to the Academy of Music for seven shows only June 11 - 15 as part of the Broadway Philadelphia season presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. The press opening is Wed. June 11 at 7:30 p.m.
BWW Reviews: RAIN Rocks the Fox Theatre
Started back in the 1970's, the group known as Rain gained it's initial fame by recording the song selections utilized in the Dick Clark TV movie, The Birth of the Beatles. Over the years they've become better known as a touring group bringing the music of the four lads from Liverpool to the stage for a theatrical event that takes it's cast and audience on a chronological trip through their music, and the culture of the time. It's a thoroughly enjoyable ride, with a group of highly talented musicians expertly recreating the famed "Beatles sound".
BWW Review: The Beatles Experience with RAIN Rocks at Waterbury's Palace
If you're a Beatles fan, you'll enjoy the music-jammed two and a half hours (with an intermission). The music and vocals are good. It's the next best thing to seeing Paul, George, John and Ringo in person. Four generations were represented in the audience who sang and clapped along with the music.
RAIN Beatles Concert Returns to San Diego, Now thru Jan 6
Experience the Beatles with RAIN is the internationally acclaimed Beatles concert that returns to San Diego by popular demand! Fans have their chance to visit the San Diego Civic Theatre for this cheerfully nostalgic production running tonight, January 4-6, 2013.