In their production of
"Rain: The Beatles Experience", this show is a multi-media,
multi-dimensional event which features 5 different scene and costume
changes, 3 video screens, and live camera projection, combining
television commercials and historical video footage from the '60's. As
anyone who has witnessed Rain in concert will attest, the music is
first and foremost, and is recreated with the utmost care and
integrity. Rain distinguishes itself by focusing on details, and
delivers a perfect note for note performance. All the music is
performed live, with no pre-recorded tapes or sequences.
First Set - 1964 Ed Sullivan Show
The first set is an
astonishing recreation of the Beatles stage set from the 1964 Ed
Sullivan show, with the band dressed in the authentic Saville Row
custom tailored suits, Beatle boots, and donning hair styles to match
the likenesses of John, Paul, George and Ringo. The set, combined with
black and white camera work instantly takes you back in time to that
historic first night that the Beatles appeared on American television.
Second Set - Shea Stadium
After a brief interlude
of songs from their movie era featuring selections from "A Hard Days
Night", the band is suddenly transported to Shea Stadium via helicopter
where nearly 56,000 fans witness the group's highest attended concert
to date. Live video technology provides views of the band through
close- ups and different angles, as members of the audience are
projected onto the main screens for a completely interactive experience.
Third Set - Sgt. Pepper Era
The third set features
the music and colorful costumes of the "Sgt. Pepper" era. Behind the
band, a huge backdrop of the Sgt. Pepper album cover is shown. Or so it
seems. Upon closer inspection, you'll see that the band has cleverly
interspersed their own photos to completely re-create the famous album
cover. With the use of sophisticated sound and lighting, audiences will
experience the music, energy and excitement of seeing the Beatles live
in concert - something that the Beatles themselves never did during
this period.
In fact, the Beatles stopped touring after 1966 and never performed the music of Sgt. Pepper live.
Fourth Set - Flower Power
After a quick
intermission, the fourth set opens to the strains of Indian music where
a brief description of the "Summer of Love" and the group's new-found
interest in meditation transports us back to that memorable time. The
curtain opens to reveal the band attired in costumes reminiscent of the
flower power era, as they perform the music of the years 1967-68. Of
special note here is the performance of an acoustic set, revealing to
the audience what the Beatles' actual song writing processes may have
been like.
Fifth Set - Abbey Road
The Abbey Road period
brings the show to its fifth set. A re-creation of the famous "Abbey
Road" album cover provides the backdrop, while stage props such as the
doorway to EMI studios add to the visual effects that accurately
reflect this period. The transformation to this era is complete with
yet another costume change, reflecting the style of the Beatles during
1969-70. The visual effect is such that you think the band has stepped
out of the album cover. The music within this set includes selections
from the "Golden Slumbers" medley through "The End" -- the Beatles'
swan song of their short but magnificent career.