Sunrise Picture of the Day

Waiting for the Second Act

Photos from the Missoula Children's Theatre Production of Pinocchio (And Preview for The Frog Prince)

On July 16th, children from around the Treasure Coast performed a musical adaptation of the classic tale Pinocchio. The Missoula Children's Theatre made this play possible, taking the role of Geppetto to craft the week-long program that helps these kids learn the art of theater and gain the confidence they'll need for the future. We took our cameras to the performance to show you the results of their hard work.

The next play in our summer partnership with the Missoula Children's Theatre is The Frog Prince this Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $10, and you can order by clicking here.

The Fab Four Comes to the Sunrise

Since the 2009 release of The Beatles’ digitally re-mastered catalog and The Beatles: Rock Band video game, a new generation has connected with the band that defined modern music. It was apparent at the Sunrise Theatre last Sunday, where people both young and old came in Beatles regalia to watch tribute band The Fab Four.

The Fab Four's selling point is its pitch-perfect recreation of Beatles tracks. The show started with a voiceover by Penn Jilette of Penn & Teller fame, who assured the audience that all voicals and music were performed on stage. Afterward an Ed Sulliven impersonator came on stage and reenacted the show that led to The Beatles’ first performance on American TV. Finally the Sulliven impersonator announced the band: John Lennon (Ron McNeil), Paul McCarthy (Ardy Sarraf), George Harrison (Gavin Pring), and Ringo Starr (Rolo Sandoval). From then on The Fab Four went on a journey from the Beatlemania days through the psychedelic era and ending at the twilight of the band's history.

As in the original band Lennon/McNeil and McCarthy/Sarraf sung most of the songs, but Harrison/Pring and Starr/Sandoval also chimed in with signature songs “Here Comes the Sun” and “With A Little Help From My Friends.” All the members stayed in line with the original recordings and avoided placing emphasis on different notes from the first Fab Four.

The band sung like The Beatles, but they also needed to show they could play like The Beatles as well. An arsenal of guitars and violins sat on stage, and The Fab Four switched instruments on the fly with no tune-up time needed.

Things got trickier during the concert’s second half, as later Beatles songs weren’t performed on tour and thus were not restricted to guitars and drums. The Fab Four’s solution was to place two keyboards placed at either side of the stage. Aside from piano notes, the group used them to synthesize instruments like the horns in “Yellow Submarine” and the chaotic crescendos of “A Day in the Life.” As with the vocals, the band stuck with script and didn’t try to add extra arrangements that would take away the sense of The Beatles performing live.

Instead, the band used a giant screen to enhance the experience. "Help!" burst on screen during the chorus of the song of the same name, and groovy images flowed during "Strawberry Fields Forever". Archived footage like a fan who painted a picture of Paul McCarthy aired in between breaks.

The Fab Four also went though several costume changes. The Fab Four started out in the matching suits and bowlcuts of the early years. On the second half, the four came on stage wearing the uniforms from the cover Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Finally, the band played in the casual clothes that marked a lack of uniformity as the original group went their separate ways. Each faux Beatle stayed in character between songs, ribbing on each other and the crowd.

"If you notice any mistakes tonight, it's probably Ringo's fault," McNeil said.

When the concert entered the final phase of Beatles history, McNeil walked in by himself in Lennon’s white suit off the cover of Abbey Road. Before playing “Imagine”, McNeil discussed Lennon’s death and how he had to fight the U.S. government to stay in the country. While a pitch-perfect reprisal the original Fab Four’s catalog is great, recreating the history and spirit of The Beatles generation is just as important for this Fab Four.

Chris Hoadley
Blog Editor

Photos by Michael Poole

Black Box Presents - Quevaughn Bryant from LA

Quevaughn Bryant is this week's comedian for the Groucho's Comedy at the Black Box series. Aside from his TV appearances on Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central, Bryant is a veteran who makes sure everyone in the audience can relate to his brand of social humor.

The show is this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Jacksonville comedian Brian Thomas will also perform this night. Tickets are $15, and you can order them or check out future acts here.

Sunrise Picture of the Day

Train Crossing

Sunrise Theatre Presents - The Fab Four: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute

Fun Fact: In The Beatles film Yellow Submarine, the band members don’t voice their animated counterparts. The band's only appearance in this tale of psychedelic seas and Blue Meanies came in a live-action cameo at the end of the film.

Cut to 2010: The Year of the Remake. Director Robert Zemeckis is making a new Yellow Submarine. He has actors to voice John, Paul, George, and Ringo. He has the original catalog to use for songs. But Zemecks wants to use motion-capture technology for The Beatles' look and playing style, and a lot has changed since Jeremy the Nowhere Man.

But who can recreate the Fab Four?

Why not The Fab Four, the best Beatles tribute band on the circuit? More than a dead ringer for the group, The Fab Four takes the audience on a journey through each phase of the band's seminal career. And you can catch them at their day job when they perform on the Sunrise’s stage this Sunday.

Check out more about The Fab Four on their official site, and you can also read an interview with Ron McNeil, who plays John Lennon, on TCPalm.com. Click here to order tickets.

Sunrise Theatre Presents - Missoula Children's Theatre Production of Pinocchio

Sometimes life is like going into a cold pool. You want to go in, but the chill strikes you as soon as you dip your toe into the water. You try again and again, but all you got for your trouble is a wet foot. You know you should jump in and get it over with, but something still holds you back.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is a cannonball into a cold pool. Right now this company is teaching local kids from around the Treasure Coast how to produce a musical version of Pinocchio. The children are in charge of everything from acting to lighting and direction. And they only have four days to prepare for their show this Friday on the Sunrise stage. Not only is the MCT giving children a chance to perform, but it's also giving them life lessons in confidence and teamwork. No dilly dallying necessary.

You can be a part of the experience by coming to the MCT's play this Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are only $10 and are available on this page. For more information on the Missoula Children's Theatre, check out their Web site.

Sunrise Picture of the Day

Marina Parkway

Black Box Presents - Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy is a St. Petersburg-based comedian known for his sex-and-alcohol-themed humor (“adult” for the uptight) that has earned him the nickname “The Comedy Barbarian.” As a member of the Irish Comedy Tour, his humor also touches on his Irish-American upbringing in Boston. This Saturday, McCarthy and fellow comedian Amy Dingler will perform at the Black Box as part of our Groucho’s Comedy at the Black Box series.

The show is this Saturday at 8:30 p.m. for $15 a ticket. For more information and to order tickets in advance, click here.

Sunrise This Month - July 2010

Tuesday, July 6th - Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Jams
Live music by local jazz musicians
7-10 p.m., Black Box
Tickets: $5

Saturday, July 10th - Mike McCarthy "The Comedy Barbarian"
Stand-Up Comedian
8:30 p.m., Black Box
Tickets: $15

Friday, July 16th - Missoula Children’s Theatre Presents Pinocchio
Musical adaptation of the story of a puppet who wants to be a real boy. Local children perform the play after learning their parts over the course of the week. Call (772) 461-4775 if you have children over 13 who are interested in serving as an assistant director.
7:00 p.m., Sunrise Theatre
Tickets: $10

Sunday, July 13th - Soundstage Live Presents The Fab Four: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute
Tribute to arguably the most-influential band in modern music.
7:00 p.m., Sunrise Theatre
Tickets: $35 - $55

Tuesday, July 20th - Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Jams
Live music by local jazz musicians
7-10 p.m., Black Box
Tickets: $5

Saturday, July 24th - Quevaughn Bryant with Brian Thomas
Comedian
8:30 p.m., Black Box
Tickets: $15

Friday, July 30th - Missoula Children’s Theatre Presents The Frog Prince
An adaptation of the classic fairy tale, performed by local children. Local children perform the play after learning their parts over the course of the week. Call (772) 461-4775 if you have children over 13 who are interested in serving as an assistant director.
7:00 p.m., Sunrise Theatre
Tickets: $10