In their production of "Rain: The Beatles Experience", this show is a multi-media, multi-dimensional event which features 5 different scene and costume changes, 3 video screens, and live camera projection, combining television commercials and historical video footage from the '60's. As anyone who has witnessed Rain in concert will attest, the music is first and foremost, and is recreated with the utmost care and integrity. Rain distinguishes itself by focusing on details, and delivers a perfect note for note performance. All the music is performed live, with no pre-recorded tapes or sequences.
First Set - 1964 Ed Sullivan Show The first set is an astonishing recreation of the Beatles stage set from the 1964 Ed Sullivan show, with the band dressed in the authentic Saville Row custom tailored suits, Beatle boots, and donning hair styles to match the likenesses of John, Paul, George and Ringo. The set, combined with black and white camera work instantly takes you back in time to that historic first night that the Beatles appeared on American television.
Second Set - Shea Stadium After a brief interlude of songs from their movie era featuring selections from "A Hard Days Night", the band is suddenly transported to Shea Stadium via helicopter where nearly 56,000 fans witness the group's highest attended concert to date. Live video technology provides views of the band through close- ups and different angles, as members of the audience are projected onto the main screens for a completely interactive experience.
Third Set - Sgt. Pepper Era The third set features the music and colorful costumes of the "Sgt. Pepper" era. Behind the band, a huge backdrop of the Sgt. Pepper album cover is shown. Or so it seems. Upon closer inspection, you'll see that the band has cleverly interspersed their own photos to completely re-create the famous album cover. With the use of sophisticated sound and lighting, audiences will experience the music, energy and excitement of seeing the Beatles live in concert - something that the Beatles themselves never did during this period.
Fourth Set - Flower Power After a quick intermission, the fourth set opens to the strains of Indian music where a brief description of the "Summer of Love" and the group's new-found interest in meditation transports us back to that memorable time. The curtain opens to reveal the band attired in costumes reminiscent of the flower power era, as they perform the music of the years 1967-68. Of special note here is the performance of an acoustic set, revealing to the audience what the Beatles' actual song writing processes may have been like.
Fifth Set - Abbey Road The Abbey Road period brings the show to its fifth set. A re-creation of the famous "Abbey Road" album cover provides the backdrop, while stage props such as the doorway to EMI studios add to the visual effects that accurately reflect this period. The transformation to this era is complete with yet another costume change, reflecting the style of the Beatles during 1969-70. The visual effect is such that you think the band has stepped out of the album cover. The music within this set includes selections from the "Golden Slumbers" medley through "The End" -- the Beatles' swan song of their short but magnificent career.
Watch it on Tuesday, August 5th at 8pm on viewer-supported KUAT6
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