BREMERTON — When the touring show “In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles” returns to the Admiral Theatre on Oct. 13, be on the lookout for two quartets, not just one.
The Olympic High School String Quartet has the privilege of joining the professional actors on stage to add an element of orchestral texture to the evening.
Here’s the rundown:
The show:
“In My Life” is the musical retelling of the Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and features the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road. The band features Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Nathaniel Bott (“John”), Zak Schaffer (“George”) and Axel Clarke (“Ringo”). Brian Epstein is played by Murphy Martin. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments.
It has toured for years, with a critic for the Orange County Register at one point declaring, “If you see one tribute show, see this one — smart and loads of fun.”
The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades and has performed to capacity audiences at the Admiral Theatre in 2013 and 2014.
The string quartet:
Olympic High senior Julia Macazo, juniors Cecilia Alvarado, Megan Gardner and Myron David will join the band for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “Yesterday,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye” and “Hey Jude.” In a special touch, “Yesterday” is played as a scene in which the Paul McCartney character plays the song for the first time for Beatles producer George Martin, with the songwriter explaining that he envisioned a string-quartet accompaniment.
In addition to performing with Olympic High’s most advanced orchestra, quartet members play with prestigious area ensembles. including the Bremerton Youth Symphony and the All-Honors Orchestra. The young musicians have received excellent ratings in solo and ensemble competitions. Macazo, Gardner and David played with a string quartet which was rated excellent at last year’s county solo and ensemble festival and was selected as the first alternative for state competition.
OHS music department’s other achievements:
Olympic High School supports a full orchestra, chamber orchestra, jazz band, marching band and wind ensemble. The school’s ensembles consistently score superior and excellent ratings at the state’s Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
String quartet for hire: The quartet performs at weddings and other events. Those interested in hiring the quartet may contact Julia Macazo at julia macazo@yahoo.com.
How the “Beatles” connection was started: The producers of “In My Life” approached Olympic High School Instrumental Music Director Paul Williams, looking for a talented ensemble who could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly uses a local quartet to augment the production while on tour, and hired the OHS String Quartet to perform this show last year at the Admiral.
“When we find a strong program like the Olympic High School Orchestra, we seek them out year after year,” said Andy Nagle, the show’s producer.
The quartet’s Beatles fans:
Macazo, Gardner and David are the quartet’s Beatles fans.
Macazo’s favorite Beatles song is “Eleanor Rigby.”
“I’m looking forward to playing this song at the Beatles musical,” she said.
Gardner is a lifelong Beatles fan.
“I remember being a little kid and driving with my dad, who is a huge Beatles fan, listening to his Abbey Road album CD,” she said.
David’s favorite Fab Four tune is “Hey Jude.”
The details:
In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein, featuring the live music of renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The smash hit production returns to the Admiral Theatre on Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 pm
Tickets are $25 to $55 and may be purchased online at www.admiraltheatre.org, by phone at 360-373-6743 or at the theatre box office, located at 515 Pacific Avenue, in downtown Bremerton. The show is appropriate for all ages.
Additional information about the OHS Quartet:
Julia Macazo, 17, plays the violin, ukulele and guitar. In addition to playing with the OHS Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, Macazo played with an All-Honors Orchestra and sings with the OHS Vocal Jazz Choir.
“I enjoy playing with the orchestra and being able to perform music together with such a diverse group of people,” she said. “We work well together.”
Macazo is the school’s ASB Executive Vice President, a member of Key Club, Honors Society and swims on the OHS girl’s team. She enjoys competitive cheerleading.
The senior aspires to attend the Naval Academy after graduation.
Cecilia Alvarado, 16, has been playing the violin for ten years. She performs with the OHS Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra as well as the Bremerton Youth Symphony.
“I love the music that the violin creates,” said Alvarado. “It helps me express my feelings.”
Megan Gardner, 17, has been playing the viola for six years. Gardner plays with her high school’s chamber orchestra, the Bremerton Youth Symphony and has received excellent ratings at state Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
The senior is a member of her school’s Writing Club and Garden Club. The junior plans to attend college and major in creative writing.
She is a lifelong Beatles fan. “I remember being a little kid and driving with my dad, who is a huge Beatles fan, listening to his Abbey Road album CD,” said Gardner. “More recently I enjoy the “White Album” and when I was younger my favorite album was “A Hard Day’s Night.”
Gardner was a member of an OHS quartet which performed with the “In My Life” show last year at the Admiral Theatre.
“I enjoyed seeing how a touring show operates behind the scenes,” she said. “I like the people in this year’s quartet and I think we’ll have a lot of fun at the show.”
Myron David, 16, has been playing the cello for seven years. He is a member of the OHS Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra and has played with the Bremerton Youth Symphony for six years.
“I love playing songs together with people in orchestra who love music as much as I do,” said David.
David is working on his final project to become an Eagle Scout and has been in scouting organizations since he was six years old. The junior plans to attend college and major in computer science.
David is a Beatles fan. His favorite Fab Four tune is “Hey Jude.”
— Edited by Michelle Beahm
