BritBeat: A Tribute to the Beatles Comes to the Marcus Center!

MILWAUKEE, WI – BritBeat – ‘A Multimedia Concert Journey Through Beatles Music History’ tells the story of the Beatles from their early days at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, their dynamic debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, the attendance busting concert at Shea Stadium, onward to the psychedelic Sgt. Pepper era and finally the later years of Abbey Road and the White Album. The entire concert plays to the backdrop of immersive and captivating moving multimedia that intertwines with the moods and emotions of the Beatles’ iconic music catalog.

The tour comes to the Marcus Center’s Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall for one night only on Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 3 at 12:00 pm and are available in person at the Marcus Center Box Office (929 North Water St, Downtown Milwaukee), by phone at 414-273-7206 or online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more should call Group Sales at 414-273-7121 x210 or x213.

The show progresses through Beatles music history from its beginnings, to its ultimate end in 1969, with dynamic set changes and multiple costume changes. The constantly evolving show is designed to evoke the excitement and passion of the Beatles influence on the shapes and sounds of the 1960s. The show is fun, thought provoking, energized and a captivating journey of the Beatles evolution and impact on pop culture in the turbulent sixties.

BritBeat Band is Chris Getsla as Paul McCartney, Eli Echevarria as John Lennon, Jeff Isoe as George Harrison, Greg Austin as Ringo Starr and Matt Kooi as Keyboardist

BritBeat was born in a high school vision by Chris Getsla as a freshman at Glenbrook South High School, after being honored on national television by President Bill Clinton at the 1997 State of the Union Address. In a private White House ceremony following the address Chris met with President Clinton and the two discussed their passions for music, the President with his saxophone and Chris with his voice and guitar. After that meeting and inspired by words from the President, Chris came back to Glenview, Illinois determined to start his own band, BritBeat, and pay tribute to his favorite group, the Beatles.

From its humble beginnings as a high school variety show band onto its first professional shows after high school, BritBeat has become, over 15 years, an international touring show with over 1000 performances worldwide. BritBeat has performed to a vast array of audiences and been privileged to perform on many stages with a virtual who’s who of sixties rock history.

BritBeat’s current cast have been together for six years and is comprised of Chris Getsla as Paul McCartney, Eli Echevarria as John Lennon, Jeff Isoe as George Harrison, Greg Austin as Ringo Starr, Matt Kooi as keyboardist and Fred Whitfield in his optional role as Ed Sullivan.

BritBeat has spent countless hours to create a show that tells the story of the Beatles that is compelling, accurate, thought provoking, fun and filled with the passion, moods and emotions of the sixties. Every detail has gone in to the creation of BritBeat – A Multimedia Concert Journey through Beatles Music History. Each era of the Beatles history is recreated on stage covering the early days at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, The Ed Sullivan Show, the Shea Stadium Concert, the psychedelic Sgt. Pepper era, the Magical Mystery Tour and Abbey Road Studios recording sessions with six costume changes. Dedicated to offering a unique and different look into the music and history of the Beatles, BritBeat is more than a tribute band, it is a theatrical event.

Highlights of BritBeat’s touring history include performing with Herman’s Hermits, The Buckinghams, The Rascals, Jefferson Starship, Micky Dolenz, Blood, Sweat & Tears, The Beach Boys, The Guess Who, The Grass Roots and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. As well, one of the Beatles actually performed with BritBeat at U.S. Cellular Field for the 40th Anniversary of the Beatles at Comiskey Park. That Beatle would be Pete Best, the drummer for the Beatles before he was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962.

In 2014 BritBeat was chosen by the State of Indiana to recreate the 1964 concert by the Beatles at the Indianapolis State Fair. In the same building, on the same stage, with the same microphones used by the Beatles, BritBeat performed a 50th Anniversary Concert at the Indianapolis State Fair Coliseum for thousands of fans in attendance, many of whom had attended the 1964 concert there 50 years earlier. It was quite a moment for a band paying tribute to their musical icons.

BritBeat is dedicated to bringing audiences of all ages a trip back in time. To feel, remember, relive and experience the sight and sounds, moods and emotions of the Beatles influence on music and pop culture of the 1960s. The band invites those interested in the history and music of the Beatles and the 1960s to visit their website at www.BRITBEAT.com.

This engagement is part of the Off Broadway at the Marcus Center series and is sponsored by The Fitz at the Hotel Ambassador.

ABOUT THE MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Established in 1969, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is the premier performing arts community gathering space in Southeastern Wisconsin. As the Marcus Center moves into its 48th year, it continues to build bridges between diverse members of our community through high-quality arts entertainment in the region and the state. The touring Broadway series, sponsored by Associated Bank, is recognized as bringing the best of Broadway entertainment to Milwaukee for the past 20 years and provides opportunities to educate, entertain and engage audiences. The Marcus Center is also the home to the Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine Opera, First Stage plus a variety of other important community and family events throughout the year. For more information about events visit the Marcus Center website at www.MarcusCenter.org.  The Marcus Center is a private non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation and is a dedicated veterans memorial in Milwaukee.

ABOUT THE FITZ AT THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL

The Fitz, located in the iconic Ambassador Hotel, is one of three reimagined dining entities opened in late June 2017.  The Fitz joins Gin Rickey and Deco Café as part of the Ambassador’s “Trifecta of Dining Excellence”.  The Fitz features a menu of bold, creative flavors, crafted with influences from yesteryear by the culinary expertise of award winning Chef Jason Gorman. The Fitz’s name is a nod to F. Scott Fitzgerald and his energy and creative storytelling throughout the roaring twenties, the decade during which The Ambassador Hotel was founded. The Fitz offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, each of which celebrates the rich history of the hotel with Gorman’s contemporary take on the classics.  Guests of the Ambassador Hotel, the Fitz, Deco Café’ and Gin Rickey are all welcome to take advantage of complimentary parking at the hotel and complimentary shuttle service to and from the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.