'Beatles' musical adds 3 shows

LA HABRA - Due to enthusiastic response to "Ticket To Ride", a musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein, the La Habra Depot Theatre announced the addition of three shows. The show runs through May 3 on Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 and 5 p.m.The Saturday, May 2 4 p.m. show is sold out. Tickets are $20. Frank Mendonca, who plays "Paul McCartney" for premiere Beatle tribute act "Fab Four" will join the band for all remaining shows. Other members of the Las Vegas based "Fab Four" will be substituting in during the run to help cover the added matinees. "The theatre is doing this show as fundraiser for an outstanding summer youth program," said Mendonca, who lives in Henderson, Nev. "We decided it was a great cause and we're supporting it wholeheartedly," he continued. More than a basic Beatles tribute concert, "Ticket To Ride" takes the audience back to the pivotal moments and locales of the Beatles' career. Beginning at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool where they meet their manager, Brian Epstein, the audience continues their journey to venues that include the Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium's 50,000-plus screaming fans, the Abbey Road recording studios and their final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp office building. The character of Brian Epstein, played by Greg Wilmot, serves as narrator throughout the show. "We understand this retelling of the Beatles story through the eyes of Brian Epstein is a first for theatre," said P.M. Howard, who played George in the original Broadway "Beatlemania" production. "This show gives the audience a behind-the-scenes look at the Beatles with 25 of their smash hits." "The show was at near capacity for the opening weekend and our ticket sales for the remaining shows are overwhelming," said producer Andy Nagle. "We added the matinees to make sure everyone who wants to see the show will be able to," he continued. Since 1997, Hard Day's Night has been thrilling audiences with tight harmonies and flawless note for note instrumental renditions of Beatle hits. With more than 1,000 performances, Hard Day's Night plays 200 dates per year in North America and Europe. The band has honed the show to become one of the most musically and visually satisfying Beatle tribute acts in the world. The show is a fundraiser to support the La Habra Depot Theatre's summer youth program, with the Hard Day's Night band playing the three-week run for a nominal fee. The Depot is the one of the lone community theatres in Southern California that does not charge children to participate in youth shows. Some Orange County theatres charge children up to $850 per child to join a youth show.

********** Published: April 24, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 1