It was ten years ago this day
That these boys got the chance to play
Some great music that will make you smile
And forget about life for a while.
So may I introduce to you
The act you’ve known for ten great years?
The McGuigans and their rockin’ Beatles band!!!!!
It’s the tenth anniversary run of Yesterday and Today and it’s playing at the Omaha Community Playhouse.
Now it’s possible that there are some reading this review and wondering, “What is Yesterday and Today?” Well, allow me to enlighten you. Yesterday and Today is the tribute of three brothers (Billy, Ryan, and Matthew) to the music of the Beatles and to their late father who passed on his love of the Fab Four to his sons.
There’s no gimmickry with this band. They don’t ape the Beatles. They just play the music of rock’s greatest group, but fuel it with their own special energy for one amazing night of entertainment.
It’s also never the same show twice. This is a request show where the audience chooses the night’s numbers. Pick anything you like because this band can play them all from their biggest hits to their obscurest tunes.
Two years ago, I had the honor of reviewing this show and I felt privileged to come back and review its 10th anniversary run. As a writer, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What new insights might I glean to share with the public?” As it turns out, I had very little to fear because, as the Beatles did, this show just continues to evolve and grow with each passing year.
Not only did the audience get a new, simplified two tiered stage from Jim Othuse, but a slight change in the formatting of the show put more control in the hands of the audience than ever before. As Billy correctly states, “If you’re not having fun, it’s your own fault.”
This band plays the music of this legendary group with a reverence and passion no mere tribute band could ever hope to match. I have seen this show in many, many incarnations over the years and I assure you, tonight’s performance was the best I have seen yet. Not only were the performers beyond on, but this audience picked some of my all time favorite Beatles tunes.
Billy McGuigan
Billy McGuigan is your Sgt. Pepper of the evening. Using his magical wit and charm, Billy serves as the band’s spokesperson as he banters with the audience and shares a few heartfelt stories along the way. He also dazzled the crowd with his skill on guitar and keyboard. He got the night off to a fiery start with “Get Back”, sang a catchy cover of “When I’m Sixty-Four”, and paid heartfelt tribute to his father with his favorite Beatles song, “Let it Be”.
Ryan McGuigan
Ryan McGuigan was a force to be reckoned with in tonight’s show. Proving he may well be the second coming of John Lennon as he possesses the same beautiful, raw tenor singing voice; Ryan sang lead on quite a few numbers, blasting all of them out of the park. Some of his standout performances were his harmony part on “It Won’t Be Long”, his haunting rendition of “A Day in the Life”, and an unbelievably nuanced take on the ethereal and stream of consciousness “Across the Universe”.
Matthew McGuigan
Matthew McGuigan lent a hand with his top notch bass playing and own formidable tenor. He got the crowd rocking with “Hey Bulldog”, took us back to yesteryear with “Eight Days a Week”, and poured his heart into “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
And let us not forget the rest of the talented group. Jay “Superman” Hanson blew the crowd away with his fluid and difficult guitar work and got a moment in the spotlight with the sweet “Here Comes the Sun”. Rich Miller’s drumming kept a steady beat and his own baritone voice was put to good use in “Yellow Submarine”. Tara Vaughan had great presence with her animated tambourine and keyboard playing and was splendid with a solo in “Oh, Darling!”. Aaron Slagle satisfied the audience’s need for more cowbell in “A Hard Day’s Night”.
This show is fantastic for any Beatles fan from the casual to the ultrafan and from the young to the young at heart. I defy anyone who watches it not to feel like they’re flying ten feet off the ground when the night is over. My only disappointment is that two hours feels like two minutes and I (and the rest of the crowd) could have easily spent all night rocking out with the band.
The opening night production was completely sold out, so if you’ve never seen this show, get a ticket right away. And if you are a fan, you better have a ticket because I don’t see them lasting very long. Find out why Yesterday and Today is the hottest show this holiday season. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
They’re the McGuigans and their Beatles band,
You’re going to enjoy the show.
The McGuigans and their Beatles band,
You’ll be sorry when it’s time to go.
The McGuigans and their
The McGuigans and their
The McGuigans and their rockin’ Beatles band!!!!
Yesterday and Today plays at the Omaha Community Playhouse through Dec 31. Showtimes are 7:30pm Thurs-Sat and 6:30pm on Sundays. There will be an extra performance at 2pm on Nov 26 and no performances on Nov 30 and Dec 24. Tickets cost $40 a person. On Dec 31, there will be performances at 7pm ($50 tickets) and 10pm ($75 tickets). For tickets, contact the Omaha Playhouse at 402-554-553-0800 or visit www.TicketOmaha.com or www.omahaplayhouse.com. The Omaha Playhouse is located at 6915 Cass Street in Omaha, NE.
(Photography provided by Sonia Keffer)
Chris' Corner 