Local high school string quartet to join touring Beatles musical

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Oct. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- When the touring show "In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles" comes to the Carpenter Center on November 19, be on the lookout for two quartets -- not just one.

The Wilson 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 L.A. Times at one point declaring, "The show delivers where it counts, which is to say, the hits keep coming." The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.

The string quartet: Wilson High seniors Sarah Birong, Koby Taing, Devyn Ellis and Olivia Salaben 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.

All quartet members performed with the WHS Symphonic Orchestra last year, which earned the Outstanding Orchestra Award at the Regional Heritage Music Festival and was selected as being just one of 13 high schools to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. All members play with the All-District Honors Orchestra and consistently receive superior ratings at solo and ensemble festivals.

How the "Beatles" connection was started: The producers of "In My Life" approached WHS Co-Director of Music Michelle Ellislooking for a talented ensemble which 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.

Quartet for hire: The quartet, called "Belmont String Quartet," perform at weddings and other community events. They may be contacted through Michelle Ellis at MREllis@lbschools.net

The quartet's Beatles fans: Ellis and Salaben are the quartet's Beatles fans.

"I remember in elementary school Beatles music was playing at my home while everyone was rushing to get ready for work or school," said Ellis. "As a little kid, my favorite song was "Day Tripper."

Salaben has been a Beatles fan since the age of eight when she began to play Fab Four tunes on the guitar. Her favorite Beatles song is "Strawberry Fields."

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 and features 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 multi-media musical performs at the Carpenter Center on Saturday, November 19 at 8 pm. Tickets are $45 and may be purchased online at www. (http://www.rrtheater.org)carpenterarts.org, by phone at (562) 985-7000 or at the Theatre Box Office. The Box Office is open Monday - Friday: 11am-6pm
and two hours prior to each performance date. The Carpenter Center is located at 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (near Palo Verde on the CSULB campus).  The show is appropriate for all ages.