Beatles on Broadway

Picture taken by Astrid Kirscherr. From left Pete Best, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Stu Sutcliffe in his famous sunglasses.

The Beatles are back, but this time, back on Broadway.

Backbeat is the stage adaptation of the 1994 film (with the same name), chronicling the Beatles' early pre-Ringo career in Hamburg, Germany. An entertaining piece, Backbeat not so much focuses on the musical endeavors of John, Paul, George, drummer Pete Best and bassist Stu Sutcliffe, but rather the love triangle between Stu, his music and his love for photographer Astrid Kirscherr, who capitulates the epitome of the beat generation.

You see, Stu was forcibly glued to the band as Lennon’s best friend from art school. Although he snatched the role as bassist from Paul, (who was shafted to guitarist and, coincidentally or not, hated Stu at the time) he fostered a love for art. Once arriving in Hamburg, this was something Astrid saw and immediately fell in love with. Stu eventually quit the band to pursue his own interests.

Once 1962 rolled around everything was looking great for the Beatles. They recently hired manager Brian Epstein and their first single, “Love Me Do,” was released with semi-amazing results. However, things were not looking great for Stu. He suffered frequent migraines, and would often experience raging and violent episodes followed by an unconscious black out. He died later that year of a brain aneurysm.

If you want to read more about the Beatles’ early history, click here to see a great biography. I read it a while ago and fell in love.

Backbeat cannot be seen on Broadway for a while, but don’t worry, it is springing up all over! The show originally ran at Glasgow Citizens Theater in February 2010, and then stormed London’s West End from September 2011 through February 2012. It will open in Toronto next month, and will make its American premiere at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles on January 16, 2013 through February 24. Then (finally), it will come to the Big Apple.

The show includes rock-era classics, and songs the Beatles grew up with and first covered, including “Money,” “Please Mr. Postman” and “Twist and Shout.” Here are some clips from the movie; do you think they even compare to the Beatles?

"Good Golly Miss Molly"

"Twenty Flight Rock"

"Long Tall Sally"

"Rock and Roll Music"

"Money"

"Please Mr. Postman"

"Twist and Shout"