Singing Beatles Ballads On Flatbush Avenue
The Broadway hit RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles is about to make its Brooklyn debut at Flatbush’s own Kings Theatre for just two nights — Friday, March 4th and Saturday, March 5th.
The show celebrates 50 years of music from what is arguably the most influential band in rock and roll history.
Paul Curatolo, who plays Paul McCartney in RAIN and who will be singing his heart out on Friday night, talks about what performing the Beatles’ music means to him.
How did you first come into contact with the music of the Beatles? Not this show specifically, but the band and their music.
I was born with the Beatles music all around me.
What, if anything, did the music of the Beatles mean to you prior to working on this show?
The Beatles meant home, good music, and comfort.
How did you first become involved with this show? Did you have any experience with it before you started working on it? How did you wind up playing a Beatle?
My father and I had begun playing Beatles songs together at home. I had experience playing in bands but not portraying any characters.
I would say that it’s a family business. I’ve grown up watching my father portray McCartney with RAIN. He asked me one day if I would be interested in training for the part and the rest is history.
How would you describe your preparation for playing Paul in the show? What was your preparation, if any, like?
The pre show prep for becoming sir Paul is that of mind and body. I stretch to get nice and loose/relaxed, then plenty of vocal warm ups. I then transform using makeup and costuming.
Do you think you look like him?
My transformation into his likeness is all the fun!
What has it been like, playing Paul? What is the biggest challenge to playing such a recognizable, iconic person? What is the most fun part?
Playing sir Paul is a dream come true! The most challenging part for me would be sounding like him (vocally) the most fun part is the feeling of beatlemania that we create and that I feel every night on stage.
What kind of preparation did you have to do to sound like him (singing and speaking)?
A lot of one on one training with Joey Curatolo (musical director).
What do you think the music of the Beatles meant to the previous generation, when the Beatles first appeared on the scene? What does their music mean to the new generation, young music fans today? How has that meaning changed?
I feel like the Beatles have a universal meaning for all of our generations. Hope, freedom, love, and happiness. Their music is classic and we’ll be “cool” forever.
Why and/or how is the music of the Beatles still relevant today? What is it about their music that makes it so enduring?
Their music is timeless. Whether you just broke up with your first love, or are trying to express your feelings about the current politics. Their music was so diverse there’s a song for everyone to relate to.
In what way is Rain a show that nonBeatlesfans should see? What will they get out of it?
They would enjoy a colorful display of live performance, special effects, and throwback footage. They’ll be a Beatles fan when we’re done with them!
What will the experience be like for people who are already big fans of the Beatles?
I hope that they really enjoy the hard work and attention to detail that goes into this production. The show is new and better than ever.