THEATRE REVIEW: "Backbeat" at the Ahmanson Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)

      In January of 2013, my dad and I saw a matinee performance of "Backbeat: the Birth of the Beatles" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.  Prior to the Los Angeles engagement, which ran from January 20th through March 1st, 2013, "Backbeat" had its World Premiere at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, then made its West End debut at London's Palace Theatre.  Then from July 21st through September 2nd, 2012 "Backbeat" performed at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.  So the production my dad and I saw was the U.S. Premiere.  

    "Backbeat" tells the story about when there were five Beatles--the fifth being Stuart Stutcliffe.  During that time, they were performing songs such as "Twist and Shout," "Love Me Do," "Long Tall Sally," "P.S. I Love You," "Rock and Roll Music," and "I Saw Her Standing There."  In fact, those were the majority of the songs featured on the show's track list.  They didn't get to the Beatle's song until the end of the show (after Stuart died), and when they did it was more of a medley.  Then again, none of the songs in the show were performed in full.  Anyway, the cast of this show included Nick Blood, Leanne Best, Andrew Knott, Oliver Bennett, Daniel Healy, and Dan Westwick.  Most of the cast was also in the North American Premiere in Toronto.  Unfortunately, the Ahmanson Theatre was the last stop for "Backbeat."  It just wasn't that good.  It was nice of my dad to rent a car so we could drive up to the theatre from San Diego.  We probably should have seen whatever National Tour was playing at the Pantages...or better yet, at the San Diego Civic Theatre. 

     When I told Kathryn that my dad and I were seeing  "Backbeat," she started laughing and said that she thought I said "Back Seat."  So, of course, her and I started making up lyrics to "Back Seat: the musical."  The only lyrics I remember involves the boys ensemble yelling "Where's the compass?!  Where's the compass?!" at which point, the girls ensemble responds, "I dunno!  I dunno!"  I think this was around the time Kathryn and I made up lyrics to the movie "Case 39."  But that is a whole other story.

A scene from "Backbeat" (photo by Craig Schwartz).

     "Backbeat" wasn't considered a musical, but rather "a play with music."  It seemed a lot like a musical--a jukebox musical really.  But, from what I remember, the actors would be in the middle of a conversation and then would break into song.  The songs themselves would be abridged significantly.  I guess the length or duration of the songs were not the point.  It seemed like the song excerpts were included as to move the plot along and transition into the next scene.  It's odd though... the song "How Much is that Doggy in the Window" can only be shortened so much.