You know you have made it when people create cover bands and tribute shows in your honor. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery. But it is an even higher accolade when a piece is created to showcase not only your talent as an artist but your value and impact as a social and political figure, and, most important, as a human being.
Tim Piper as John Lennon
John Lennon, it looks like you, sir, have made it.
True Rock Theatre and the Hayworth Theatre are bringing back to LA the critically acclaimed show Just Imagine. It is written and directed by Steve Altman, performed by Tim Piper who shares writing credit. This show takes audiences through a final performance with John Lennon, revealing his outlook on his music career as well as his inspiration for songs and his relationship with loved ones.
“It makes you feel more as if you’re spending an intimate evening with John Lennon,” says Piper. “It is as if he personally takes you through his journey, interacting with the audience as if he really did come back for one more concert.”
A concert, no doubt, that many would give their left arm to attend. But Lennon’s fame was both a curse and a blessing within the development of the show. This desire for authenticity and intimacy with the story of a worldwide icon was the biggest challenge, says Piper. With such a well-known familiar character, audiences might be as quick to dismiss Piper’s Lennon persona as they would an Elvis impersonator. However, Piper knew portraying Lennon went deeper than singing his songs and having a mop-top haircut. He knew he had to give it an extra, unexpected push to really capture their minds along with their hearts.
“The whole world knows the Beatles and John Lennon. Trying to manifest the spirit and feel of such a well-known entity takes a tremendous amount of focus and energy,” says Piper. “We all doubt our best work at times, but I truly feel that with this band and our offering, we provide a worthy experience.” Many others felt this way too.
Just Imagine became much more than a “tribute show” in 2002 when it debuted at the Stella Adler Theater as a “one night only” gig. It soon won critical acclaim and prompted the William Morris Agency to sign the show and tour it nationally. In the past eight years the show has evolved into its present form and has played to international audiences — in India, Japan, South America, Canada, London and even Liverpool itself.
Tim Piper
Piper has made a career out of playing Lennon, but he says that it grew from an immediate, personal fixation. His obsession with the Beatles began when the legendary British rock band came to America in the 1960s when Piper was a mere second grader. He fell in love with their message and their music at a young age. He has remained an avid fan and has let the iconic rockers become a part of his identity.
“The Beatles are part of our DNA, if you will,” says Piper. “To reflect on a time when a generation thought that ‘All You Need is Love’ could really change the world when surrounded by war and revolution — and realize that many years later, some things are basically unchanged — makes you think about the human experience and what can be done to help change the world as we know it.”
This personal connection to the band and its members fuels Piper’s performance and brings a profundity to his passion. While many have the look and skill to pull off a Lennon song, few have the numinous ability to reincarnate both the musician and the person.
Although Piper is the center of the show, he is supported by many talented people. Piper’s brother Greg serves as music director for the show and has helped make it the success it is today. Piper admits working with family has its difficulties but sometimes the familiarity can also be a blessing.
“When you work with someone you’ve known all your life, opinions on the execution of business and performance can be challenging,” he says. “Fortunately we work together well enough. so we use our strength and weaknesses to the ultimate advantage of the production. Growing up with a ‘show biz’ family instilled a professional ethic into our make-up.”
Piper also has been blessed with the recent release of Beatles music on iTunes. Piper believes the digital distribution of this music makes the art even more ubiquitous and younger people even more curious about the musicians behind the songs.
Tim Piper as John Lennon
“It spreads the music to a younger and increasingly international audience. That may spark their interest to see a musical ‘history lesson’ as is offered with our show. And as advanced and immediate as digital technology is today, there’s still nothing that compares to a live musical performance.”
With Lennon’s reputation, Piper’s team, and a new wave of Beatles popularity, Piper believes the show is ultimately powerful because of the story it tells. “John Lennon is an icon for a generation and through the Beatles brought his dream to the world, inspiring millions of others to dream,” he says.
Few artists, or even people, have made the impact Lennon has in the way others view themselves and the world around them. And this makes him not only worthy of admiration but also of imitation and interpretation.
“There are other people and other bands to be sure, but for me in my time, being able to sing the songs that inspired me as a child nearly 50 years later, there is no one more intriguing than John and his short but fascinating time on Earth. He is my favorite bedtime story.”
Just Imagine, presented by True Rock Theatre and the Hayworth Theatre, plays Fri.-Sat., 8 pm; Sun., 3 pm; through April 24. Tickets: $35-$60. Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; 323.960.4442 or plays411.com/justimagine.
