Crowd Goes Wild For Beatlemania

Kicking off Levitt Pavilion's 38th season Sunday night, “The Cast of Beatlemania” drew thousands to the Westport outdoor entertainment venue. In fact, the park was nearly filled to capacity an hour before the 7 p.m. performance.

The Westport Police Department closed off the Pavilion's entrance before the concert began and many people placed lawn chairs in the library's parking lot so they could listen to the show.

For more than an hour, Beatles music — sung by the performers onstage and the audience — resounded over the Saugatuck River. With hands waving in the air and clapping enthusiastically, the “Beatles” encouraged concert-goers to sing their now-timeless tunes.

It was the final song, “Revolution,” that got nearly everyone jumping out of their seats and dancing. The audience, however, was not ready to end their nostalgic musical journey with the “Mop Tops,” as concert-goers kept chanting "one more song" and applauded wildy. The group closed the show with "Let It Be," as the audience swayed back and forth and sung along with the poignant and all-too-familiar lyrics.

Eric Rubin, a native Westporter who now lives in Bethel, said he was excited to share the concert with his wife and two children, Kyra, 8, and Sophia, 3. A graduate of Staples High School's Class of 1985, Rubin recalled attending many shows at Levitt Pavilion when he was a teen. “I'm now starting a new tradition with my kids,” he said.

Kyra said her father has played Beatles music for her on many occasions and that one of her favorite songs is “Here Comes The Sun.”

Because they arrived two hours before showtime, the Rubins were able to sit up front and have a good view of children's entertainer Harrison Kramer's performance. Kramer, a student at Syracuse University, announced that he will juggle and do magic tricks every Wednesday night at Levitt Pavilion before the Children's Progam begins.

Another Staples graduate, Dana Bricken, 21, also returned to Levitt Pavilion to see Beatlemania. “I'm a huge fan,” she said.

When asked to name her favorite Beatles song, Bricken paused, then replied, “At the moment it's 'Hey, Bulldog' but I like so many of the songs.”

From the tables set up throughout the park, it was evident that many friends gathered to celebrate special occasions as well as listen to the music. One birthday celebrant — Ingrid Milne — ran a half-marathon earlier in the day with Zoe Corbo, of Stamford and Louise Dobson. After a brief rest, they reconvened with other friends to eat, drink, dance and sing some Beatles' songs.

Kate Debrino of Westport explained that they celebrated Ingrid's birthday last year at Levitt Pavilion when the musical group Abba performed. In fact, Ingrid and Zoe ended up dancing on stage with the musicians, she recounted.

A native of England, Milne said that her mother went to see the Beatles live in concert in 1963. “It was one of their first concerts and she told me how good it was,” Milne recalled.

Christian Kinne, 9, of Fairfield, had the chance to speak to John Delgado, a Stratford resident, who portrays Ringo in the show. An aspiring musician, Christian said that he's been playing the drums since he was four. He began taking formal lessons only six months ago.

“Ringo” encouraged him to “stay with the music.”

“Play all kinds of music, too,” he added.

Lenie Colacino, who played Paul McCartney, was with the original Broadway show, “Beatlemania.” Carlo Cantamessa, of Wolcott, portrays John Lennon, and Jim Filgate, of New Jersey, performs as George Harrison.

Wearing a Beatles tee-shirt, Barbara Joblin of Ridgefield was seated up front, close to the stage. She arrived early because her son, Blake, 16, is the guitar technician for “The Cast of Beatlemania.”

An aspiring guitarist, Blake received the summer gig because his guitar teacher's brother portrays George Harrison in the show. Joblin pointed out that all of the guitars used are authentic period instruments. “They're very much of the period,” she noted.

The four musicians that make up the cast have been traveling nationally and internationally together.

Carleigh Welsh welcomed everyone to the Pavilion's first show of the 2011 season. This year there will be 60 nights of free entertainment featuring a variety of music, dance, comedy and children's shows. She thanked the support of Melissa & Doug, this show's lead sponsor, which generously provided art supplies to children attending Sunday night's concert.

Levitt Pavilion's Executive Director Freda Welsh estimated there were about 2,000 people inside of the park and another 200-300 sitting along the River Walk.

"We were prepared for a successful opening night but we didn't expect so many people," she said.

Welsh, who was a member of the Pavilion's Governing Committee from 1980 to 1990, and took over the Executive Director position in 1995, said that Sunday's crowd seems to be the largest in the Pavilion's history.

"The first Dave Mason concert also had a large turnout but I think this was even bigger," Welsh said.

A mutual decision was made by the Westport Fire Marshall, Police and Welsh to close the park entrance around 6:30 pm.  She said she deeply regretted having to turn people away.

"Many people asked me afterwards to bring the group back next year and that is certainly a possibility," she added.

Two exciting benefit concerts are scheduled this summer to help support the programs offered at the Levitt Pavilion: On July 10, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will take the stage at 7 p.m., and on July 28 the Doobie Brothers will take stage at 9 p.m. with a pre-show cocktail reception for premier ticket holders scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Levitt Pavilion is located at 40 Jesup Road. For more information visit the Levitt Pavilion's Facebook page; Twitter page @LevittWestport; or website at www.levittpavilion.com.