“BACKBEAT”
THE BIRTH OF THE BEATLES
AT THE
CENTER THEATRE GROUP/AHMANSON THEATRE
Opening is
Jan. 30 and Performances Continue Through March 1, 2013
Previews begin this Sunday, January 20, for the U.S.
premiere of “Backbeat,” the dramatic new play with music about the birth of one
of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands in history, the Beatles. “Backbeat” begins performances January
20 and continues through March 1, 2013. The opening is set for January 30.
Featuring the all-time rock ‘n’ roll classics
that the Beatles cut their teeth on – “Money,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Twist and
Shout,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Please Mr. Postman,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Music”
and more, “Backbeat” is set in 1960 when John Lennon,
Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best (the drummer before Ringo Starr
joined the group) and Stuart Sutcliffe (the band’s original bassist) embarked
on their journey from the docks of Liverpool to the red light district of
Hamburg. There they worked in the clubs of the tawdry Reeperbahn, performing
rock ‘n’ roll covers night after night, all the while honing what would become
the Beatles’ sound.
“Backbeat”
is also the compelling story of Sutcliffe, who falls in love with the striking
German photographer Astrid Kirchherr, and must choose between being with her
and resuming his painting, or staying with his best friend, John Lennon, and
playing in the band. This
triangular relationship became an intrinsic part of the Beatles story, and the
decisions made and the music played put them on an unstoppable trajectory onto
the world stage.
The cast will feature Nick Blood (as Stuart Sutcliffe), Leanne Best (Astrid Kirchherr),
Andrew Knott (John Lennon), Oliver Bennett (Pete Best), Daniel Healy (Paul
McCartney) and Daniel Westwick (George Harrison). Rounding out the rest of the cast are ensemble members Edward
Clarke, Josie Dunn, Sam Ford, Mark Hammersley, Perry Ojeda, Charlotte Palmer,
Phil Pritchard, Dominic Rouse, Louise Shuttleworth, Adam Sopp, Charles Swift,
James Wallace and Miranda Wilford.
“Backbeat”
is co-written by Iain Softley and Stephen Jeffreys, based on the 1994 Universal
Pictures film by Softley, Michael Thomas and Stephen Ward. “Backbeat” is
directed by five-time Tony Award nominee David Leveaux.
Design for “Backbeat” is by Andrew
D. Edwards from an original concept by Christopher Oram, lighting design is by
Howard Harrison and David Holmes, and sound design is by Richard Brooker.
“‘Backbeat’
is a backstory to cherish,” said Fiona Mountford of The Evening Standard.
Michael Coveney of Whatsonstage.com called “Backbeat” a “. . . beautifully
wrought . . . evocation of an era,
and a particular place, as the Beatles found their inimitable voice through the
grit and virility of the pounding music they loved still to play even as their
own more lyrical, musically complex compositions poured forth over the next
decade. For once, you really do
feel like dancing in the aisles at the end.”
“Backbeat”
is presented by Karl Sydow in association with Glasgow Citizens Theatre, where
it first opened in February 2010.
“Backbeat” made its West End debut in London in October 2011. It will open in Toronto in July
2012. Following the presentation
at the Ahmanson in early 2013, “Backbeat” will move to Broadway.
Tickets for “Backbeat”
are available by calling (213) 972-4400, visiting online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or in person at the
Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $20
- $110 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located
at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.
