Gibbs and Main Become “Penny Lane”
Rochester, NY – Reprising its sold-out 2008 Beatlemania Pops concerts, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik “comes together” again with original band members of the Classical Mystery Tour in Beatlemania! on Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 pm at the First Niagara Center City Pavilion. This nostalgic program at the RPO’s summer venue at East Main and Gibbs Streets features The Beatles’ most popular tunes, including A Hard Day’s Night, I Saw Her Standing There, Twist and Shout, and Yellow Submarine.
The four Beatles look- and sound-alikes, Tony Kishman, Jim Owen, Tom Teeley and Chris Camilleri – as Paul, John, George and Ringo, respectively – will take the First Niagara Center City Pavilion by storm with the RPO to perform some of The Beatles’ greatest hits as they were intended: with a combination of rock and classical instruments. Nearly 30 Beatles tunes will be sung, played, and performed exactly as they were written. The music follows the group from the early 1960s through the solo years, and will feature the performers in memorable flashy costumes with colorful stage lighting. Audiences will hear Penny Lane with the famous solo trumpet, experience the mystery of Eleanor Rigby with the RPO string section, and enjoy the combination of rock and classical influences on the hard edged I Am the Walrus.
Inspired by the Broadway show “Beatlemania,” Classical Mystery Tour has been a hit with both critics and fans since 1996, when it began making appearances with symphony orchestras throughout the United States. The Los Angeles Times called the show “more than just an incredible simulation…the swelling strings and soaring French horn lines gave the live performance a high goose-bump quotient…”
Jim Owen performs as John Lennon on rhythm guitar, piano, and vocals. He began studying the piano at age six, taking up the guitar two years later after hearing The Beatles. At 18, he began touring internationally with various productions of Beatlemania. His 1996 idea for a new show with orchestra resulted in Classical Mystery Tour.
Singer-songwriter Tony Kishman performs as Paul McCartney on bass guitar, piano, and vocals. In 1979, after playing in several successful rock bands, he toured for six years in both the national and international tours of Beatlemania on bass and guitar.
Thomas P. Teeley has starred as George Harrison in the Broadway production of Beatlemania as well as the film version. His vocal impersonations of numerous other rock icons have been featured in many television ads as well as other Broadway productions. He has written songs for artists such as Alice Cooper, and has toured the world as singer-guitarist for Joe Jackson, Sophie B. Hawkins, and many others.
Chris Camilleri performs as Ringo Starr on drums and vocals. A founding member of the Beatles cover band Liverpool, he began performing at the Beatlefest National Conventions in 1979, an extended engagement which continues to this day. As a member of Beatlemania, he has performed in Singapore, Colombia, Malaysia, China and the Philippines, as well as in tours throughout the United States.
Tickets for these performances are $30-$60, available online 24/7 at www.rpo.org; by phone (454-2100); in-person from the main RPO Box Office (108 East Avenue) 10:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday, and on the following Saturdays: July 11, 18, 25, and August 1. Summer series subscriptions also are available, including RPO Rocks, a mini-subscription including Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Beatlemania at a 20% discount.
On concert nights, the Box Office will be open one hour prior to concert start. For convenience, an additional Box Office – located at the Pavilion site – also will be open one hour prior to performance for Will Call or to purchase tickets for that evening’s performance. Tickets also can be purchased seven days a week at area Wegmans. A convenience fee may apply.
This series is presented by First Niagara; the City of Rochester, and Senator Jim Alesi; and by the Elaine P. and Richard U. Wilson Foundation. For more information on the First Niagara Center City Pavilion, visit www.rpo.org/pavilion.
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