(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 10, a string quartet comprised of students from two Toms River high schools will join the professional musicians on stage to lend some local talent to this homage to the British Invasion. The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands.
Here's the rundown:
The show: The two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time face off in Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown. Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the nation's top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles' career. They engage in a "showdown" of the hits with Stones tribute band Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion. The production includes multimedia, period costumes and vintage instruments. It has toured for years, with a critic for the Los Angeles Times at one point declaring: "this is the most unique tribute show in decades." The Lakewood show is part of a 125 city tour of the U.S., Canada and Australia.
The string quartet: Toms River High School North seniors Cole Calavano and juniors Sean Payba and Michael Tresvalles and Toms River High School South senior Jenna Aldo will join the bands for the songs "Eleanor Rigby," "Yesterday," "A Day in the Life," "Hello Goodbye," "Hey Jude," "As Tears Go By," and "Ruby Tuesday."
Quartet members belong to prestigious area ensembles, including the New Jersey All-State Orchestra, the New Jersey State Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Garden State Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Cane Preparatory Orchestra.
Members compete in solo and ensemble festivals, consistently receiving superior ratings.
How the "Beatles" and "Stones" connection was started: The producers of Beatles vs. Stones approached Toms River Regional School District Orchestra Director Susan DeGoey looking for a quartet who could hold its own with a rock band in front of an audience. The show commonly hires a local quartet to augment the production while on tour.
The quartet's Beatles or Stones fans: Jenna Aldo is the quartet’s sole Beatles fan.
“I like the Beatles! ‘Help’ has to be my favorite song,” Jenna said.
The details: The two greatest rock 'n' roll bands of all time face off as the Strand Center for the Arts hosts tributes to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Renowned tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show engage in a musical showdown of the hits. Beatles vs. Stones - A Musical Showdown will perform at the Strand Center for the Arts on Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35 - $55, plus ticket fees, and may be purchased by phone at (732) 367-7789, at the Strand Box Office or online at www.strand.org. The Box Office is open on Fridays between 2 pm – 6 pm and two hours before every show. The Strand Center for the Arts is located at 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. The show is appropriate for all ages.
And here is some additional information about the string quartet:
Cole Calavano, 18, has been playing violin for nine years. He is a member of the New Jersey All-State Orchestra, the New Jersey State Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Cane Preparatory Orchestra.
“I love making music and being able to put emotion in it.”
Cole has competed at competitions with the New Jersey Youth State Orchestra, receiving superior ratings.
The Toms River High North senior plans to attend a conservatory and continue studying music.
Jenna Aldo, 17, has been playing violin for eight years. She is a member of the Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the All-South Jersey Regional Orchestra.
“Violin is something that allows me to disassociate with what is going on in the world, and is something I am really passionate about.”
Jenna is a member of Toms River High School South’s Tennis team and participates in the Mock Trial Club.
The Toms River High South senior plans to attend college to study Political Science.
Sean Payba, 16, has been playing viola for seven years. He is a member of the Garden State Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
“All my siblings played instruments growing up, so I picked up viola so I could join them.”
Sean is a member of the school’s Chess Club.
The Toms River High North junior plans to attend college for computer science upon high school graduation.
Michael Tresvalles, 16, has been playing cello for eight years. He is a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra.
“Live music hits a lot harder than recordings, so getting to play classical music is a plus to playing cello.”
Michael is in the school’s theatre company and is a member of the Asian National Thespian Society.
The Toms River High North junior aspires enroll medical school after college.
PHOTOS (TOP) 1 - From left to right, Cole Calavano (Violin I), Jenna Aldo (Violin II), Sean Payba (Viola) and Michael Tresvalles (Cello); Quartet photo taken by Susan DeGoey
2 - Chris Paul Overall ("Paul"), Nate Bott ("John"), Axel Clarke ("Ringo") and Jesse Wilder ("George"); photo taken by Michelle Fairless
3 - Bott, Clarke, Overall and Wilder; "Sullivan" shows Bott, Clarke, Wilder and Overall; photo taken by Michelle Fairless
4 - Chris LeGrand ("Mick") and Trey Garrity ("Keith Richards"); photo taken by Michelle Fairless
