TORRINGTON, CT (04/28/24) – When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Warner Theatre on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00 pm, the Torrington High School String Quartet will join the professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this homage to the British Invasion.
The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The string quartet will perform six songs with the bands.
Here’s the rundown:
The show: The two greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time face off in Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the nation’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They engage in a “showdown” of the hits with Stones tribute band Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments. It has toured for years, with a critic for the Los Angeles Times at one point declaring: “this is the most unique tribute show in decades.” The show sold the Warner Theatre to capacity last year.
The string quartet: Torrington High students Rosangel Baez-Batista, Aisley Harrison, Chloe Bayat and Emily Tacuri Penaranda will join the bands for the songs “Eleanor Rigby,” “A Day in the Life,” “Hello Goodbye,” “Hey Jude,” “Gimme Shelter” and “Ruby Tuesday.”
Quartet members have auditioned for and have been selected to perform at this year’s Connecticut Music Educators Association Northern Region Orchestra (CMEA) and New England Music Festival (NEMFA). Members have also participated in Hartt’s Community Division Group: Opus ’89. All students are members of the award-winning Torrington High School Orchestra, and Chamber Strings and play with the pit orchestra during school musicals.
How the “Beatles” and “Stones” connection was started: The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached Torrington High Orchestra Director Wayne Splettstoeszer looking for a talented ensemble of high school students which could hold their own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly reaches out to local high school orchestras, making donations to their school music programs in exchange for student participation. The Beatles vs. Stones show hired a Torrington High quartet for a show last year at the Warner Theatre.
“When we find a strong program like Torrington High Music, we always come back to them,” said Beatles vs. Stones producer Andy Nagle.
“Wayne Splettstoeszer has one of best programs in the country.”
The details: The two greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time face off as the Warner Theatre hosts tributes to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Renowned tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show engage in a musical showdown of the hits. The show performs at the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium onWednesday, May 8 at 7:00 pm The show is appropriate for all ages.
The quartet’s Beatles or Rolling Stones fans:
Baez-Batista’s favorite Beatles song Is “Eleanor Rigby.”
Penaranda’s favorite Rolling Stones tune is “Gimme Shelter.”
And here is some additional information about Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown:
Alternating mini power sets with the two bands coming together on stage for an amazing encore makes this show a once-in-a-lifetime event.
For the past decade with more than 1800 performances across the country and abroad, this unforgettable production has been delighting audiences with their talent, warmth, humor and passion for the music of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. A critic for the Los Angeles Times called it “the most unique tribute show in decades.”
The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance.
Calendar: Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown returns to the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $35 – $65, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased at the Theatre Box Office, by phone at 860.489.7180 or online at http://www.warnertheatre.org. The Box Office is open Thursday and Friday from 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday – Wednesday, 10 AM – 2 PM and two hours before performances. The Box Office may also reached by email at boxoffice@warnertheatre.org. The Warner Theatre is located at 68 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790. The show is appropriate for all ages.
QUARTET PHOTO TAGS: “Torrington_stairwell” shows (l-r) Rosangel Baez-Batista, Aisley Harrison, Chloe Bayat and Emily Tacuri Penaranda