Just Imagine / Hayworth Theater / Los Angeles / Runs until April 24th
Reviewed by Ethan Silver
Some
of our readers are lucky enough to have seen John Lennon perform, either as part
of The Beatles or after his departure from the famous group.
Others, like me, have only videos to watch as
we reminisce about a time of which we may not have been a part.
But, in
Just Imagine,
John Lennon returns and is given “…one more chance to see life from a different
perspective.”
The audience, in turn, is given a chance to
experience the life story of one of the most iconic men in the history of music,
as told through the eyes of actor / producer/ Lennon impersonator, Tim Piper.
From start to
finish, the production wows the audience with a combination of live music, video
animation and actual footage, which creates such a surrealistic 60s vibe
that one can not help but feel in the moment.
With so much music and an incredible number of
songs included in the set list, it is amazing that the production lasts only 90
minutes.
Although many songs are played in full, the
band keeps it moving by playing only the meat and potatoes of certain
selections, being sure to include the well-known hooks from the biggest hits.
This has it all, from early Beatles to
Lennon’s work with Yoko.
Just Imagine
is indeed a concert, but it is
also theater.
Between songs, Lennon (Tim Piper) spellbinds
the audience with stories about his life from his tumultuous beginning, to the
formation of the Beatles, to his last days.
The dialogue is full of actual Lennon quotes
which are seamlessly integrated into the script and delivered as if for the
first time, including the Yoko Ono controversy (cue the jeers from the crowd)
and the last days with the Beatles complete with the resulting media backlash.
This comes from an entirely different point of
view than one could gain from an outside-looking-in perspective and it through
this dialogue that the audience is allowed a glimpse of a uniquely human John
Lennon.
One of the
unexpected elements of the show is the ten minutes or so when Lennon gives the
band a “union” break, takes out his guitar and heads into the audience asking
for requests, which he plays without hesitation, resulting in an all-out
audience sing-along.
It is obvious that this production is a labor
of love for those involved, as evidenced by the actors / musicians onstage.
Greg Piper (Bass / Musical Director /
Producer), Don Butler (Lead Guitar), Don Poncher (Drums) and Morley Bartnoff
(Keyboardist) are all fascinating to watch as each visibly enjoys his work.
The highlight of the night comes as the band
plays “I Want You” in a style that rivals any version this writer has seen
performed either live or recorded.
In a
refreshing change of pace, the show steers clear of discussing Lennon’s untimely
death, except for a brief newspaper headline at the opening.
Instead, we are allowed to experience a
celebration of his life, music and message in a hybridization of a Pink Floyd
concert and an episode of
MTV Unplugged.
All in all, this is a fun and unique journey
into the history of John Lennon and perhaps the most famous rock group of all
time, The Beatles.
Just
Imagine is the show to see for die-hard
fans and anyone who loves rock and roll.
What a great time!
Just Imagine
plays at the Hayworth Theatre in