Want to go?
WHAT: Beatlemania Now!
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
WHERE: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin
COST: $10 to $35
INFO: 419-448-8544 or visit Ritztheatre.org
Funcoast talked to “Beatlemania Now!” performer and producer Scot Arch (who sings the role of John Lennon) about the act’s upcoming show in Tiffin on Oct. 27 at the Ritz Theatre.
Funcoast: First of all, why in your opinion, are The Beatles still popular nearly 50 years after they first debuted on “The Ed Sullivan Show?”
Scot Arch (SA): The Beatles’ music and the Beatles themselves highly influenced the ‘60s, which was certainly one of the most notable decades of modern times. They dictated style and as it got later on people followed their politics. It’s hard to mention the ‘60s without thinking of The Beatles. And even though the music began with simple love songs, it became to be much, much more.
Funcoast: Setlist-wise, how deep do your shows dig into The Beatles’ catalog?
SA: We usually do “Helter Skelter” and that’s somewhat obscure, I guess.
Funcoast: So you don’t do the psychedelic “Tomorrow Never Knows?”
SA: We have done that but it’s not one that people really enjoy hearing, I have to say.
Funcoast: Not that there’s anything wrong with it but your show is basically a night of greatest hits?
SA: Right. It is. We do things like “I Am the Walrus,” which is not necessarily a greatest hit but one that people will know for sure. And “Strawberry Fields Forever.” We do songs from each and every period right on through A to Z. Certainly the earlier ones and the later ones are the most easy to sing along to. That middle section had a lot to do with drugs and crazy stuff going on.
Funcoast: How has the show changed over the years?
SA: The video portions are updated, and so are the songs. And if we see something that we feel states what we want to state at that time in the show, then we change it.
Funcoast: Considering how outspoken he was, what do you think John Lennon would say about “Beatlemania Now!?”
SA: Gosh, that’s a good question. It’s hard to say. He probably would not have liked it, I’m thinking. He was one for breaking barriers and writing songs about what he felt and sort of moving on. We’re not doing that, so in that respect he probably wouldn’t have liked what we’re doing.
Funcoast: OK, what would Paul McCartney say?
SA: I think Paul would like it certainly better than John because he would realize it’s great music and there’s no reason that people shouldn’t continue to enjoy it. In fact, in his live shows he continues to play a lot of Beatles hits, even songs he wouldn’t have sang in the Beatles. So I have a feeling he’d appreciate it.
Funcoast: Finally, what will the people in Northwest Ohio say after seeing the show?
SA: I’d think they’d go away singing the songs.
