Charter's Fab Four performs Beatles show Friday
Courtesy photo Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy musicians (left to right) Sydney Merrifield, Louisa Bresee, Kayliani Powlison and (in front) Marie Zaragoza will lend their musical talents to the traveling show, “In My Life — A Musical Theatre Tribute to The Beatles,” in the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
A string quartet from Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy will get by with a little help from their friends, and their instruments, during a Beatles-centric production Friday.
Violinists Louisa Bresee, 16, Marie Zaragoza, 17, and Kayliani Powlison, 18, with cellist Sydney Merrifield, 15, will join professional actors on stage to add an orchestral element to "In My Life — A Musical Theatre Tribute to The Beatles" in the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox at 7:30 p.m.
"In My Life" is the award-winning, multi-media musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein. It features the live music of Abbey Road, the renowned Beatles tribute band.
The young musicians have extensive experience and longevity with their instruments, as well as a fondness for the Fab Four.
"My favorite Beatles song is 'Eleanor Rigby,'" Louisa said. "I'm very excited that we get to play that song in the Beatles show."
Marie's favorite Beatles song is "Yellow Submarine," Kayliani enjoys "Hey Jude" and Sydney also favors "Eleanor Rigby."
The show, which has toured for years, features Chris Paul Overall as Paul, Nathaniel Bott as John, Zak Schaffer as George and Axel Clarke as Ringo. Brian Epstein is played by Murphy Martin.
With period costumes and vintage instruments, the show gives audience members an opportunity to "be there" at pivotal moments in the legendary career of the Beatles. It takes the audience back to February 1964, when Americans saw the Beatles for the first time on "The Ed Sullivan Show," playing "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Progressing through their various musical stages, the audience re-experiences the psychedelic era of "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band," the creation of the haunting "Yesterday" and the raucous rock and roll of "Revolution."
The Charter musicians are looking forward to lending their talents to this production, which sold out when it came to the Bing Crosby Theater in 2015.
"In orchestra, you get to come together with other musicians and make something you can't do by yourself," Marie said.
"I love playing the cello for other people and to see their smiles," Sydney said.
Tickets to "In My Life" are $35-$65 and may be purchased online at www.ticketswest.com, by telephone at 800-325-7328 or at the theater box office. The show is appropriate for all ages.
The Fox Theater is located at 1001 W. Sprague Ave. in Spokane.