Rainy Day Beatles

Do we really need to see a Beatles revue with period costumes, flashy lights and video backdrops? Well, yeah, yeah, yeah — at least in the case of Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, the touring Broadway spectacular that kicks off a local run tonight at 8 p.m. at the Temple Buell Theatre, in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Rain stands apart from other tribute shows in a variety of ways, beginning with its historical span, which follows the Fab Four through various time frames and numerous costume changes, from their early breakthrough live performances on the Ed Sullivan Show and at Shea Stadium to the more-artful, recorded-music era of Abbey Road. And secondly, the veteran band really sounds like the Beatles and delivers a true, as well as authentic, concert experience.

“They began playing right after the Beatles broke up, so they’ve been at it for decades. Plus, they never perform a song live until they’ve analyzed it over and over again,” says Center Attractions publicist Genevieve Miller. And the buzz on this show is nothing but good. “People get up and dance in the aisles,” she adds. “They really get into it.” Interspersed television commercials and other visuals of the era add to the overall effect.

Performances of Rain, which offer a perfect opportunity for older fans to introduce the timeless music of the Beatles to their kids, continue at the Buell through September 27; get tickets and a complete schedule at www.denvercenter.org or call 303-893-4100.
Sept. 22-25, 8 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 26, 2 & 7 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 27, 2 & 7:30 p.m., 2009