Rain Will Continue on Broadway Into 2011, Following Change in Venue | Playbill

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News Rain Will Continue on Broadway Into 2011, Following Change in Venue The limited Broadway run of Rain, the Beatles tribute show at the Neil Simon Theatre, is not so limited after all. Producers will move the show to another theatre in February for at least 16 more weeks.

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Rain stars Joe Bithorn and Steve Landes Photo by Joan Marcus

The producers of the new musical Catch Me If You Can had already booked the Simon for spring. Rain, which began in October, will close Jan. 15, 2011 (a week later than previously announced), and then re-open at the Brooks Atkinson Feb. 8, 2011.

Rock of Ages, currently at the Atkinson, will move to the Helen Hayes Theatre in March.

After seven weeks of performances, Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles on Broadway sold enough tickets to recoup its $2 million Broadway capitalization, according to the New York Times.

Musicians Joey Curatolo, Joe Bithorn, Ralph Castelli, Steve Landes and Mark Beyer conjure the iconic British rock group the Beatles in Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles on Broadway, which opened Oct. 26 at the Neil Simon Theatre.

The popular touring production's extended 12-week Broadway engagement began Oct. 19 and was first announced to run to Jan. 9, 2011. Theatre owner and producer James L. Nederlander said in a statement, "We are very happy with the outcome for both shows. We were amongst the earliest Rock of Ages fans and are proud to have had them in the Brooks Atkinson for nearly two years — this show surprised everyone and has exceeded all expectations. The production is such a fun time and it will play wonderfully at the Helen Hayes. Rain has been another great experience for us and is doing very well at the Neil Simon. We’re glad to have found a solution to allow this crowd-pleasing show to deliver the power of the Beatles’ music, live, to New York audiences beyond its limited engagement. The collaboration between the Nederlander Organization, producers of both shows and the ownership at the Helen Hayes to solve this complex equation has been a rare and wonderful thing for Broadway or any industry — a win-win-win-win situation."

"After consistently being one of the top 20 grossing U.S. concert tours for the past three years, we were thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Rain – A Tribute to The Beatles on Broadway," stated Lee Marshall and Jeff Parry, producers of Rain. "Audiences in North America have been extraordinarily enthusiastic and now the response and demand for Rain on Broadway has been overwhelming. We are extremely pleased to be able to extend even further at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. So much of The Beatles' story is intertwined with New York and New Yorkers feel a tremendous bond with them. The Broadway community has been incredibly supportive and we are delighted to be re-opening Rain in February and to be able to pay tribute to The Beatles historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show on Feb. 9, 1964."

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The tribute show features Curatolo, Bithorn, Castelli, Landes and Beyer, who not only don a series of signature Beatles looks, but play the iconic British rock band's songs live, note-for-note. Audiences are treated to a series of Beatles costumes, replete with bell bottoms, mop tops and Nehru jackets.

Beatles songs featured in the concert event include "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "Hard Day's Night," "Yesterday," "Twist and Shout," "With A Little Help From My friends," "Eleanor Rigby," "Strawberry Fields," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Hey Jude," "When I’m 64," "I Am The Walrus," "Revolution" and "Come Together."

According to producers, "From the early days of their appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964 through Sgt. Pepper and on to the Abbey Road years, Rain performs it all. The multi-media concert recaptures the era through all phases of The Beatles astounding musical career including Shea Stadium, the psychedelic late 60s and The Beatles long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. A fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups."

Certain performances of Rain also feature Graham Alexander, Joe Bologna, Doug Cox, Jim Irizarry, David Leon, Jimmy Pou, Mac Ruffing and Tom Teeley.

Rain is presented on Broadway by Annerin Productions, Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions and Nederlander Presentations, Inc.

For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com. The Neil Simon Theatre is located at 250 West 52nd Street.

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Joey Curatolo, Ralph Castelli, Joe Bithorn and Steve Landes Photo by Joan Marcus
 
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