When a work trip forced me to relinquish my tickets to “RAIN,” I wanted to make sure they fell into the right hands. My friend Kim Honore was up to the challenge: a whirlwind night of seeing the show (which is a tribute to the Beatles), followed by a lightning-fast blog entry. My only concern was that Kim was a little too excited to see the show – take a look at the video below of her that goes to show how much she loves the Beatles. Could I trust her to give an unbiased account of the evening?
Kim Looks Surprisingly Like a Little Boy Here
Kim has met the challenge with open arms and, I have to say, she’s giving me a run for my money on this blog. Readers, promise me you won’t start leaving comments asking me to hand over the reins to Kim. How about I just promise to have her guest blog again? With no further ado, Kim Honore’s account of last night!
When it comes to my love of The Beatles, I was a late bloomer. In fact, I am pretty sure I was legally able to drink the first time I really listened to their music, hanging on to every note and soaking in each word that was said (or rather sung). I can’t help but wonder what my childhood would have been like if I had their music as my soundtrack; if I had learned early on that, “All You Need is Love?” Instead, my memories are littered with the disturbing, yet somewhat hilarious, image of my parents singing, “Solid as a Rock” on repeat in our minivan.
But – I digress…I mentioned all the above to stress the fact that as a said late bloomer, I feel as if I’m on a constant journey to prove that I’m a real Beatles’ fan. Needless to say, when I was offered the chance to cover, “RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles,” at the Fox Theatre last night – I jumped on the opportunity as if my life depended on it. You would have sworn I was going see the actual Beatles play!
When we arrived at the theatre, I was surprised to see that the audience spanned several generations, not just Baby Boomers trying to reclaim the good ole days. While they were definitely present, so were kids that looked like they would be better suited at a Justin Bieber concert, college co-eds that had ditched the latest frat party, young professionals celebrating the start of the weekend and more – every demographic seemed to be present.
As soon as the cast of RAIN took to the stage, they engaged us all, young and old, on a journey that spanned The Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, to their strung out studio years (think Abbey Road). In fact, the members of RAIN have been together longer than the band they pay tribute to, and during that time they have meticulously studied each member’s nuances and intricacies. This level of commitment and dedication to mastering the look and feel of The Beatles shows in every single one of their performances.
With no pre-recorded tracks, one can’t help but marvel at the high level of musicianship each member possesses. They are so on point, that you suddenly forget you’re at a tribute concert in the year 2010, and rather feel like you have been transported back to the 60s. It’s as if the cast of RAIN has discovered the technology behind time machines, and took us all along for a ride through the most poignant time in music’s history.
RAIN is definitely more of a concert than a theatrical performance, which means that all you ladies out there who can’t ever get your man to go to the theatre with you actually have a standing chance here; in fact, they may even thank you. I mean, who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re witnessing history, as if they were actually lucky enough to be amongst the sea of people in Shea Stadium in 1965, screaming like a school girl? And, I must say, you actually feel like you’re on some kind of acid trip during RAIN’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band rendition (not that I know what an acid trip feels like), but with the lights, the smoke and the cartoon caricatures moving about the background, you’re definitely transported to a realm that seems unworldly.
Make sure you see RAIN with someone you actually like, though, because on more than one occasion you’re holding hands while singing favorites such as “Yesterday,” “Let it Be,” and the crowd favorite, “Hey Jude.” Actually, now that I think about it, why not take someone you hate? By the end of the show you’d be best friends, because who could possibly experience the splendor that is the Beatles and not come out of it feeling renewed, as if everything and anything is possible?
My only criticism lies in that fact that RAIN didn’t play either of my two favorite Beatle’s songs. I wasn’t too surprised by the lack of “Helter Skelter,” but I was aghast at the fact that they didn’t perform, “All You Need is Love.” At the conclusion of the concert I stood there as the crowd piled out trying to convince my friend that there was no way they weren’t singing it – No Way! I’m sure that everyone had one song that they were waiting anxiously to hear only to be let down, but how could RAIN possibly play every great song the Beatles ever wrote?
The bottom line is that RAIN is definitely a show you shouldn’t miss, especially if you’re a Beatles fan. There’s an indescribable feeling tied to the experience, and the fact that RAIN is able to bring to life the magic of a band that was together for a decade, yet accomplished what could span a century, is awe inspiring.
RAIN’s next venture back to the sixties will be today, September 18th, at The Fabulous Fox Theatre (2:00 and 8:00 p.m.) and Sunday, the 19th (1:30 and 7:00 p.m.). Check it out before it’s too late – it’s only here for the weekend!
