 "Photo: April Buck")
Last winter, Billy McGuigan brought Buddy Holly to life in the musical Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. Now McGuigan and his band are breathing new life into old favorites in Yesterday and Today: A Musical Tribute to The Beatles.
Yesterday and Today is unique. The band never tries to give the impression they are The Beatles. There are no wigs, mop tops, matching suits, or fake accents. They don’t even stick to being a fab foursome - there are six members of the band. And they let the audience know they are from places as mundane as Omaha.
In the lobby, prior to the show and during intermission, there are tables set up to take requests. Each slip of paper gives a name, a song and what that song means to you. The requests allow for a custom show every time, and the comments about why a song is chosen range from incredibly touching to downright funny.
Those little slips of paper are just the beginning of audience participation in the show. From the time the band takes the stage, until the very end, they bring the audience in, clapping, singing, and even dancing in the aisles.
The band recreates every nuance of the Beatles' sound. McGuigan contributes vocals, guitar and piano. Lead guitarist Jay Hanson produces a range of sounds and haunting chords and vocals. Matthew McGuigan, plays bass, sings, and provides humorous banter with his brother. Rick Avard plays keyboard and contributes vocals and some foot stomps, Dr. Tomm Roland drums, stomps, and sings. And Darren Pettit amazed with vocals, saxophone, and a nifty electronic wind instrument (EWI).
The group nails the hard rocking tunes as well as the sweet harmonies encompassing a full gamut of the Beatles’ sound.
McGuigan's obvious love and reverence for the songs transform a tribute show into something far more original. The audience’s feeling of inclusion built a feeling of intimacy within the walls of the Wilson Mainstage Auditorium.
Whether you are enjoying McGuigan performing as Buddy Holly; in his Beatles tribute; with his group, Me2; or simply Billy as Billy - McGuigan draws the crowd in with his high energy. He jumps around, dances, shouts, pumps his fist into the air, claps his hands up high and holds the microphone out to the crowd encouraging them to join in the fun.
Yesterday and Today played at The South Bend Civic Theater from January 15 through January 25. You can find Billy McGuigan online at www.billymcguigan.com, and on MySpace or Facebook.
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