Review: RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles OR How to Travel to England Without Needing a Passport

Last June 2015, I was sitting in The Woodlands with a crowd of thousands as Paul McCartney brought the house down at Firefly MusicFestival.  I was twitter pated to be in the presence of Sir Paul.  Fast forward to March 9, 2016.  I was hearing Beatle tunes at Warner Theatre.  “Rain - A Tribute to the Beatles” was on the marquee.  These artists were skilled at performing.  “Performing” isn’t accurate enough.  They were channeling the Beatles.

The “Fab Four” (okay five counting keyboardist, Chris Smallwood) included:

Steve Landes - John Lennon

Paul Curatolo - Paul McCartney

Alastar McNeil - George Harrison

Aaron Chiazza - Ringo Starr

The performance is a musical conversation with the audience.  Everyone is encouraged to cheer, clap or dance.  Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles is much more than a show.  It is a love song to The Fab Four, musical time travel, a magical light show and a gift to the audience.  If you haven’t already seen “Rain”, go buy your tickets now!  You can check tour dates by visiting raintribute.com.

This was a show within a show within a show.  The lighting was spectacular.  The acoustics were incredible.  The images drove us through Liverpool.  I walked on Abbey Road.  I sat in the audience while Ed Sullivan introduced the Beatles.  I danced with Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club band.  I got by with a little help from my friends.  When I lived in London, I honored the Beatles by visiting Liverpool.  I felt as if I had returned.  I traveled to England without needing a passport.

My husband and I ushered at Warner Theatre for 10 years just to experience the arts.  During “Rain,” I swam in notes and did the back stroke through guitar chords.  These performers are so authentic that Paul Curatolo taught himself how to play the guitar with his left hand, just like McCartney.  During the performance, we met the Beatles as they were starting their career and we cheered them goodbye as they morphed into their older selves.

It was not lost on the crowd that uber producer, George Martin had just passed away at age 90.  The band dedicated, “Yesterday” and “In My Life” to the often credited “Fifth Beatle.”

It is hard to pick just one favorite moment during the show.  Some of my special tunes included, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Hey Jude.”  During “Across the Universe,” I closed my eyes and had my own little church service for a minute.  My dad was a preacher so I know what I am talking about!

All you need is love, and a ticket to @raintribute.