Nazareth College Arts Center Presents "Just Imagine," a critically acclaimed John Lennon tribute, February 23

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Tim Piper as John Lennon in "Just Imagine," coming to Nazareth College Arts Center on Saturday, February 23, 2013

ROCHESTER, NY (01/10/2013)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College Arts Center is pleased to present Just Imagine, on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at 8 p.m. in the Callahan Theater. Just Imagine, starring Tim Piper as John Lennon, weaves spoken narrative, live music, and archival footage to create a multi-media tribute to Lennon's life and music. Entertainment Today, Variety, LA Weekly, Las Vegas Review, and others have praised the performance, with one reviewer from KABC in Los Angeles saying, "Tim Piper is John Lennon!"

Prior to the performance, Piper will lead a pre-performance lecture at 7 p.m. in the Peace Theater (room A14), located in the lower level of the Arts Center.

Visit http:// artscenter.naz.edu/newsroom/media-resources for photos.

The Performance

In Just Imagine, Tim Piper and the band behind him, Working Class Hero, have created an imagined final John Lennon performance by weaving together Lennon's music, spoken narrative, and archival footage from before and after Beatlemania. According to Piper's website, Just Imagine is America's longest-running Beatles show.

Naturally, the score features many of Lennon's best-loved Beatles and solo hits. What is surprising is the uncanny resemblance between Piper and the star, both in appearance and vocals. Throughout the evening, Piper's music and dialogue create a theatrical event that appeals not only to die-hard Beatles fans, but also to music lovers and theater audiences in general. During performances, Piper often strolls through the audience with an acoustic guitar taking requests, and post-show he mingles with them, still in character.

Just Imagine serves as a theatrical biography of the man and his music, from his tumultuous childhood, to his explosion into worldwide superstardom. Piper's exhaustive research gives the audience insights into one of the world's most popular and enduring bands, the pressures of stardom, and Lennon's personal relationships, as well as stories and inspiration behind his music and song writing. Few topics are off limits as Piper delves into early losses of Lennon's mother and best friend, the breakup of his first marriage and resulting neglect of eldest son Julian, his heroin use, and his relationship with the love of his life, Yoko Ono.

The Performers

A multi-faceted musician, actor and songwriter, Tim Piper has traveled the world performing music made famous by The Beatles. From his early teen years in Southern California, Piper played in numerous original and Top-40 cover bands, while honing his skills as a guitarist, bass player, singer, and songwriter. In addition to being a member of various Beatles tribute bands, including Revolution, Piper has distinguished himself as the pre-eminent John Lennon with roles in the CBS' The Linda McCartney Story; E!'s John Lennon Story and Beatle Wives; and, more recently, as the singing voice of John Lennon for the NBC TV "Movie of the Week," In His Life: The John Lennon Story. With his band, Piper has performed at numerous celebrity special events, including a pre-screening performance for the re-release debut of Yellow Submarine and the John Lennon 20th anniversary memorial gathering in Central Park.

Supporting Piper is a live band, Working Class Hero ("Working Class Hero" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band). The band consists of Greg Piper (musical director/producer/bass guitar), Don Butler (lead guitar), Morley Bartnoff (keyboards), and Don Poncher (drums/percussion).

Other Just Imagine crew include Casey Piper (sound), Paul Gentry (lighting design), and Steve Altman (director/writer/producer).

Tickets

Tickets to Just Imagine are $30-$60. For tickets, call – or visit – the Box Office: 585-389-2170 or order online: artscenter.naz.edu.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday- Friday, 11am – 5pm and 11am until curtain time on performance days.

Sponsor Information

The Nazareth College Arts Center's 2012-2013 Subscription Series is sponsored by M&T Bank, Wendy's Restaurants of Rochester, and the New York State Council on the Arts. Just Imagine is sponsored by Kathleen and Jim Leo, Mrs. Dawn and Dr. Jacques Lipson.

About the Nazareth College Arts Center

For more than 40 years, the Nazareth College Arts Center has served as a venue and educational resource for students, educators, visual and performing artists, and audiences to create, study, and experience all areas of the arts. These cultural programs support the College's curriculum in music, art, and theatre arts, and provide area residents with opportunities to experience exceptional dance, children's theatre, and international entertainment.

The Nazareth College Arts Center:

• is a nonprofit institution;
• attracts more than 80,000 adults and children annually;
• is the premier presenter of world-class dance, children's theatre, and international entertainment in Rochester;
• is the performance home of Rochester City Ballet and world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance, as well as the home of Rochester Children's Theatre and Bach Children's Chorus;
• houses the Nazareth College departments of art, music, and theatre arts, which present exceptional theatre productions, musicals, operas, recitals, and art exhibitions each year (events are open to the public);
• serves as a venue for auditions, art classes, music lessons, recitals, fundraisers, lectures, community theater productions, camps, workshops, and graduations;
• provides access to master classes, school performances, and subscription series shows for underserved youth;
• presents an annual Dance Festival.

For more information, visit artscenter.naz.edu.

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