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Photo Flash: Opening Night at BACKBEAT at CTG's Ahmanson Theatre
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 31, 2013
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, opened last night, January 30, 2013, and continues through March 1, 2013. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening curtain call and celebration below!
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 features 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 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.
Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Actor Julian Sands watches the curtain call
The audience dances during the curtain call
The audience dances during the curtain call
The audience dances during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
The cast performs during the curtain call
Musician Mindi Abair poses during the arrivals
Musician Mindi Abair
Actor James Kyson
Actress Jane Kaczmarek
Actress Charlayne Woodard
Musician Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick and Karen Neilsen pose during the party
"Backbeat" Music Supervisor Paul Stacey and "Backbeat" writer Iain Softley
Musician Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick, "Backbeat" Producer Karl Sydow and "Backbeat" Music Supervisor Paul Stacey
"Backbeat" writer Iain Softley
Songwriter Richard Sherman
Actor Julian Sands
Actor Stephen Dorff from the "Backbeat" film
Actor Stephen Dorff and "Backbeat" writer Iain Softley
Actor Stephen Dorff and "Backbeat" writer Iain Softley
Cast member Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe)
Cast member Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney)
Cast member Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr) and "Backbeat" Music Supervisor Paul Stacey
Cast member Andrew Knott (plays John Lennon) and "Backbeat" Producer Karl Sydow
CTG Producing Director Douglas C. Baker and "Backbeat" Producer Karl Sydow
Cast members Dominic Rouse and Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney)
Cast members Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best), Dominic Rouse and Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr)
Cast members Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr) and Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best)
"Backbeat" writer Iain Softley and cast member Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr)
Pauline Sutcliffe, sister of Stuart Sutcliffe, and Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe)
"Backbeat" Producer Karl Sydow and cast member Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe)
Actor Stephen Dorff (played Stuart Sutcliffe in "Backbeat" the movie), cast members Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr) and Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe)
Actors Stephen Dorff and Julian Sands
Music Supervisor Paul Stacey, cast members Josie Dunn and Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr) and Company
Cast member Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe), "Backbeat" writer Iain Softley and actor Julian Sands
Cast members Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe) and Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr)
"Backbeat" writer Iain Softley, cast member Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe) and actor Julian Sands
Cast members Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe), Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best), Dominic Rouse, Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney) and Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr)
Cast members Andrew Knott (plays John Lennon), Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr), Dan Westwick (plays George Harrison), Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best) and Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney)
Cast members Andrew Knott (plays John Lennon), Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr), Dan Westwick (plays George Harrison), Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best) and Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney)
Cast members Leanne Best (plays Astrid Kirchherr), Nick Blood (plays Stuart Sutcliffe), Dan Westwick (plays George Harrison), Oliver Bennett (plays Pete Best), Daniel Healy (plays Paul McCartney), actor Stephen Dorff and cast member Andrew Knott (plays John Lennon)
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