Fresnans young and old will get a double dose of Beatlemania when two of the largest Beatles tribute shows take separate stages on back-to-back nights.
"Rain," a Broadway in Fresno production, will be at the Saroyan Theatre (700 M St.) tonight. Abbey Road returns to Fulton 55 (875 Divisadero St.) on Saturday for a 21/4-hour set.
Both shows are more than your typical Beatles tributes.
Steve Landes, who plays Beatles' frontman John Lennon in "Rain," says the Broadway show interacts with the audience while recreating different periods of Beatles history.
"The show delves into the Beatles' career through song and film," he says.
Old film clips highlight the Beatles' involvement in global politics and are complemented by recreated scenes of the "Ed Sullivan Show" and the "Let It Be" rooftop gig, Landes said.
Abbey Road is back in Fresno again after playing the sold-out Beatles vs. Rolling Stones tribute show last May at the Tower Theatre.
The Saturday show is less theatrical than its Friday counterpart, but it, too, pays homage to the Fab Four with thick Liverpudlian dialects and numerous costume changes.
Axel Clarke portrays Ringo Starr in Abbey Road and says the band enjoys returning to Fresno's Fulton 55 because the mixture of young and old fans.
"The first time we played there actually surprised us," Clarke said. "The place really packed out with people from 60 to 20 years old."
Older fans will have a chance to relive their youth through popular Beatles songs such as "Twist and Shout," "Eleanor Rigby" and "Penny Lane."
Andy Nagle, booking agent for Abbey Road, says Fresno embraces the Beatles' movement by supporting the shows, which is why the band decided to extend its set.
"At Fulton 55, we'll open our Facebook page and take requests in real time or on the spot," he says.
The band usually performs a 90-minute set but will play an extra 45 minutes for special requests for Beatles hits that the fans don't usually hear at tributes, such as "Helter Skelter."
Both shows should give Beatles fans a recollection of the 1960s through timeless hits and a dip into the Beatlemania culture.
Show information
"Rain," Saroyan Theatre, 700 M St. Tickets: $35.50, $50.50, $60.50, Fresno Convention Center box office or
ticketmaster.com magicspace.net/fresnoAbbey Road, Fulton 55, 875 Divisadero St. Tickets: $15-$20. Details: (559) 412-7400, fulton55.com
The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6165 or amoreno@fresnobee.com.
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