Winner of Outstanding Revue 2011 Drama Desk Award RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles is in
Winner of Outstanding Revue 2011 Drama Desk Award RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles
is in
A Tribute to The Beatles is on tour now through the spring of 2011 across North America.
HOUSTON –
What is Rain Like?
Because Rain is such a concert-like experience, it’s a much more laid back
atmosphere than a traditional Broadway show. The audience is invited to
dance and clap along, and if you’re up for a good sing-a-long, this is a
show after your heart.
Is Rain Good For Kids?
Rain is great for music fans of all ages. Though there are plenty of hippie
ideas, they are stripped of sex and drugs references, leaving only rock ‘n’
roll. Kids will enjoy the chance to sing and dance along, so if you’re a
Beatles fan you can enjoy the show, whether you’re old enough to remember
them at Shea Stadium or young enough not to know what Shea Stadium was.
STEVE LANDES performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing
in
(Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Harmonica) A life-long, second-generation Beatles fan, Steve taught himself guitar at 10 listening to Beatles records and by 13 was fronting a Top 40 cover band in his native Philadelphia. At 17 he joined Beatlemania and further developed his musicianship, touring the world with the show. After ‘passing the audition’ with the existing RAIN band members in 1998, his career was set. On one of his travels to England, he found himself at Liverpool’s Casbah Club, owned by pre-Ringo Beatles drummer Pete Best. Encouraged to get on stage, Steve belted out lead vocals to The Beatles rocker “Slow Down,” while Best sat in on drums. As a backup musician, Steve has performed alongside legendary sixties artists Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits), Joey Molland (Badfinger), Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and Tiny Tim. As an actor, he appeared in the films “Wedding Bell Blues,” “For Which He Stands” and Tim Burton’s “Mars Attacks!” Steve writes and records his own original music. www.steve-landes.com
JOEY CURATOLO performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing
in
(Vocals, Bass, Piano, Guitar) Joey grew up in a Brooklyn household where classical music and opera formed the soundtrack. A natural musician, he was infatuated with The Beatles, taught himself guitar at age 10 and played piano by ear at 16. After winning multiple McCartney sound-alike contests, Joey toured with the Broadway production of Beatlemania. He joined RAIN shortly after, and helped transform the band into the multi-media production it is today. In addition, he is an active singer/songwriter and studio musician. His original Christmas song “Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas” is featured on Broadway’s Carols for A Cure Volume 12 (to benefit BC/EFA) as well as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Hope for the Holidays” charity album. When Universal Pictures needed a McCartney sound, they contacted Joey to record the song “Love Take Me Down” for the recently released comedy “Role Models.” For Joey, performing on Broadway is a dream come true.
JOE BITHORN performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Lead Guitar) Joe Bithorn grew up in Manhattan and Long Island where he was exposed to a variety of music including jazz, Latin, classical and more. By age 3, his musical father taught the children how to sing harmony. He was profoundly influenced by the experiences he had at Carnegie Hall through his Mom who worked with the Festival Casals. Thanks to The Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan, Joe took a strong interest in the guitar. Early influences include the band Cream and Joe developed the ability to learn guitar parts by ear by age 14. By age 16, Joe was so proficient that he was recruited for studio sessions. While in high school, Joe and his brother formed The Bithorn Brothers Band, performing the early music of the Allman Brothers Band. Joe heard about an audition for Beatlemania, and was hired for the touring production as George. After touring with the show in North America, Joe joined RAIN in 1983 and has been touring the world ever since.
RALPH CASTELLI performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing
in
(Drums, Percussion, Vocals)Ralph Castelli, was born and raised in southern California, surrounded by a musically talented family, and by age six became passionate about playing drums. On that momentous night in February, 1964 when The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, Ralph was hypnotized and knew playing drums was what he was born to do. Captivated by Ringo Starr and The Beatles that night, Ralph’s excitement continued to grow and his dream would eventually become his reality. After touring and performing with numerous bands and pursuing his acting career, Ralph landed the role of Ringo Starr in the touring production of Beatlemania and was also cast as Ringo in ”Beatlemania: The Movie.” His talent, drum techniques, humor, style and appearance was in his favor. Ralph joined RAIN in 1986 and is thrilled to be on Broadway.
DAVID LEON
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Harmonica) starred in the Broadway and motion picture productions of Beatlemania before signing a record deal with his band Helmetboy on Electra Records. David has performed with The Rembrandts, Evan and Jaron, Rick Springfield, and with 60’s legends Mitch Ryder, Tiny Tim, Three Dog Night, Badfinger, Hermans Hermits, The Box Tops and Dion. David is thrilled to be back on Broadway with RAIN.
JOE BOLOGNA
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Drums, percussion, vocals) a Beatles fan by the age of 4, played drums at 8 and formed his first rock band at 13. Joe was influenced by Ringo, Nigel Olsson, Gene Krupa, Clive Bunker, Dale Griffin, and Keith Moon. He continued writing his own songs and has played with a variety of original and cover bands. He spent 10 years playing bass, drums and piano with a southern gospel group for Daywind Records.
TOM TEELEY
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Lead Guitar, Guitar Synth, Sitar) A native New Yorker, Tom made his stage debut as George Harrison in the original Broadway production of Beatlemania, and also appeared in Dick Clark’s Rock “N” Roll! The First 5000 Years, portraying John Lennon, Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. His film credits include the role of George in Beatlemania The Movie and Peggy Sue Got Married; performed with Joe Jackson, Sophie B Hawkins, Marshall Crenshaw; collaborated with Alice Cooper, Tommy James, The Monkees, Desmond Child. Tom released a solo album ‘Tales Of Glamour And Distress’ (A&M Records) and can be heard on as lead vocalist on the recent TV theme for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. www.tomteeley.com
CHRIS SMALLWOOD
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Keyboard, Percussion) grew up in Kentucky. He fell in love with Beatles music as a young kid, but didn’t fall onto a piano bench until high school, when he broke his leg. Just two years later, he was invited to Kentucky’s prestigious Governor’s School for the Arts Program. In 2008, Chris received a bachelor of music from Belmont University in Nashville, and in 2010 earned his master of music from the University of Louisville. Chris and his wife, Nicki, live in Nashville. www.mockingbirdmusicians.com
DOUGLAS COX
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Drums, percussion, vocals) was born in Kansas City and raised in Texas. Through his parents’ records he discovered Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly but was profoundly moved by one, The Beatles “Ticket to Ride.” Doug has drummed for 16 years in Dallas’ top Beatles tribute A Hard Night’s Day. He has many memories pounding those “pagan skins” in Las Vegas, Liverpool, in London recording videos with VH-1 in Abbey Road Studio 2, and backing Tony Sheridan in Hamburg’s Kaiserkeller. Musicians back home say Doug has always naturally had that signature Ringo style, even as a 12 year old learning the trap set.
JIM IRIZARRY
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Harmonica) is from Chicago, IL and began singing and playing the music of his favorite band, The Beatles, at the age of 12. He performed in local Chicago Beatle bands and learned the harmonica to master some of his early Beatle favorites. Years later Jim visited Liverpool for Beatle Week and made several appearances at the Cavern Club. He naturally captures the look and sound of Lennon and transforms himself through all eras of The Beatles as well as recreating John’s famous humor and onstage antics.
MARK LEWIS
Founder and Manager of RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is
showing in
(Founder, Manager, Original Keyboardist) As the managerial and creative mind that transformed Rain from a 1970s southern California bar band doing Beatles covers into an ultra-professional group, Mark Lewis recruited the excellent musicians who would gel into Rain’s long-standing line-up. He traces his love of the Fab Four to the Sunday night of February 9, 1964 when his generation was smitten by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. Originally called Reign, the band gained national fame, changed its name to Rain and cut the soundtrack to the made-for-TV movie Birth of the Beatles (thanks to Dick Clark). An accomplished pianist at 13, having studied since age 5, he began his career playing the Farfisa organ in teenage rock bands around his native Los Angeles. It was Mark, the original keyboard player with Rain, who worked out all of the musical parts and sounds that enabled Rain to bring many songs that The Beatles themselves never performed live, to life.
JIMMY POU
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Lead Guitar, Guitar Synth) was born in Miami, Florida into a Cuban family surrounded by rhythmic music. Seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show inspired him to become a guitarist. He played “George” in Beatlemania in Los Angeles, Chicago and world tour; joined “1964 the Tribute” performing at Carnegie Hall; created his solo show “An Evening With George;” performed with “Beatlemania Now” and has recorded three CDs of his own original music. Jimmy is thrilled to be part of RAIN and playing with his buddies from the Beatlemania days. www.jimmypou.com
MAC RUFFING
performs in RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Vocals, Bass, Piano, Guitar) hails from Cleveland, Ohio. He started playing the drums as a teen, but found a Hofner bass and had to have it. Relocating to Southern California, he played in several original and cover bands, eventually touring worldwide. Mac is naturally right-handed, but taught himself to play left-handed. He also plays the piano and guitar. When the chance came to join RAIN, Mac immersed himself in the role and looks forward to recreating the magic of The Beatles at every show.
MARK BEYER Keyboards and Percussion for
RAIN: A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES which is showing in
(Keyboards, Percussion) began piano lessons at age 8; at 12 was given special acceptance into a local University music school where he was privately trained in piano and music theory. At 14, he began experimenting with electronic keyboards and synthesizers of the 1970s, and played professionally in a progressive rock band. As keyboard technology advanced, Mark became known for his uncanny reproductions of elaborate sound textures, exotic instruments, and simulating full orchestras.