‘Beatles,’ back by popular demand
Camden — On Feb. 7, 1964, The Beatles arrived at JFK Airport in New York City on PanAm Flight 101 with thousands of screaming fans clogging every inch of the airport in order to catch just a glimpse of the young lads from Liverpool. Two days later, The Beatles made their first U.S. television appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” an event viewed by 73 million people, or approximately two-fifths of the American population. This invasion, dubbed Beatlemania, is the inspiration behind the hit multimedia stage show that will take the stage of the Camden Opera House Friday through Sunday, July 20 through 22.
The locally produced show, “A Day in The Life: A Beatles Experience,” is a multimedia celebration of the most successful band of all time. The production made its world premiere in Camden last year to sold-out houses and is back by overwhelming demand to present a brand new show. Performances will Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 22 at 2 p.m.
The Beatles' groundbreaking career from Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road will be highlighted with stunning multimedia backdrops as the cast performs more than 30 Beatles songs, completely live, with meticulous attention to detail. Audiences can experience a multi-sensory journey back to the turbulent and hopeful decade of the 1960s through the use of authentic costumes, instruments and accurate recreations of classics such as “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Twist and Shout,” “Yesterday,” “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “I Am The Walrus,” “Come Together” and many more.
The cast features producer and University of Maine student Morgan Cates (vocals, bass, piano, guitar); Camden Hills Regional High School students Alex Wilder (vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, harmonica), Orion Krause (drums, vocals) and Sam McKenna (keyboards, percussion); and Rockland resident Ben Whitney (vocals, lead guitar). Costume design is by Emily Widdoes; lighting design, by Brandon Koons; sound design, by Vince Gabriel; and set design and stage management by Vanessa Bemis.
Seating will be general admission; the show runs two-and-a-half hours with intermission. Tickets are $21, $16 for students, in advance and will be $25/$20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at HAV II in Camden, Grasshopper Shop in Rockland and online at ADayInTheLifeShow.com.
Courier Publications' A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at 207-594-4401 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.
