Students to perform in musical tribute to Beatles
After performing last year with Rolling Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash, Corona del Mar High School students are tackling another iconic music group: the Beatles.
Four members in the Corona del Mar High School string quartet have been selected to participate in five songs in the touring musical “In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles,” coming to the Irvine Barclay Theatre on Thursday, March 17. The musical will feature the live music of tribute band Abbey Road.
“In My Life” producer Andy Nagle contacted Corona del Mar High School’s orchestra director, Val Jamora, looking for an ensemble to play with a rock band in front of an audience.
“When I learned of this opportunity, I jumped at the chance,” Jamora said. “It’s a bigger production and we’re very excited.”
The quartet helping the Fab Four are freshmen Rita Debbaneh and Wesley Davies, junior Robert Garrett and senior Ellie Pietsch. Together they will join the band for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye” and “Hey Jude.”
The award-winning musical will look at the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein starting in February 1964, when Americans saw the mop tops for the first time on the “The Ed Sullivan Show” playing “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
The show will follow the group’s musical stages, including the psychedelic era of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and the creation of “Yesterday” and “Revolution.”
“We look forward to playing a Beatles show,” Wesley said. “We’re going to be famous.”
“In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” will be performed at 8 p.m. The Irvine Barclay Theatre is at 4242 Campus Drive. Tickets are $35 to $55. For more information, call (949) 854-4646 or visit thebarclay.org.
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Kathleen Luppi, [email protected]
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
