RAIN relives Beatles' 'Let It Be' era at Greensburg's Palace Theatre

“Rain” is the name of a lesser-known Beatles’ song, the B-side to the 1966 hit single, “Paperback Writer.” RAIN — with all capital letters — is the name of a popular tribute act paying homage to the Fab Four.

Currently touring to celebrate the 1969 “Abbey Road” album and The Beatles’ final, iconic rooftop live performance, RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles comes to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7 p.m. March 20.

“This year, we’re showcasing the later era of The Beatles and the brilliant music they created before they split up,” said Paul Curatolo, who portrays singer/songwriter and left-handed bassist Paul McCartney. “We’re shining the spotlight on the rooftop performance from the ‘Let It Be’ film and the ‘Get Back’ film that was just released. In that, we’re also celebrating the greatest hits of ‘Abbey Road.’”

The 1970 documentary, “Let It Be,” charts the recording of that 1969 studio album and includes an unannounced concert on the roof of The Beatles’ London headquarters, their last public performance. “The Beatles: Get Back” is a 2021 documentary series using previously unreleased materials about the making of the “Let It Be” album.

“Abbey Road” was the last album The Beatles recorded, although “Let It Be” actually was released after it.

Because The Beatles’ catalog is so vast, Curatolo said, his favorite songs can change according to what RAIN is currently performing.

RAIN’s previous tour, which hit The Palace in 2018, paid homage to the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album.

“Of course, I’m really, really hip to the rooftop era, the ‘Let It Be’ era, because it’s new and fresh for all of us,” Curatolo said. “All that new footage that was in the documentary is so exciting, and to be able to don a new costume and play new material is really exciting for us.

“I tend to really like the 1965-66 Beatles era, ‘Rubber Soul’ and ‘Revolver,’ the music that came out of that. They looked so cool — they were becoming adults, becoming a studio band and becoming very artistic,” he said. “I think it was really exciting to watch them grow.”

Curatolo grew up with RAIN. His father, Joey Curatolo, preceded him in the McCartney role and now is the musical director for the company.

“I spent all of my youth with The Beatles surrounding me, and I just loved their music,” he said. “It’s an honor to carry the torch of one of the most renowned and honored tribute shows.”

Curatolo imitates McCartney’s vocal inflections and also plays the bass left-handed.

Other members of RAIN include Steve Landes portraying John Lennon; Alastar McNeil as George Harrison and Aaron Chiazza as Ringo Starr.

Landes is also an actor. He has played backup for 1960s-era acts including Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and Tiny Tim.

McNeil played with a Beatles tribute act in his native Hawaii and also performed with other local bands. Chiazza took up drumming at age 5 and has played with jazz, symphonic and percussion ensembles.

While the current RAIN tour focuses on a specific Beatles’ era, it covers the groups’ history from beginning to end.

“The show moves chronologically through The Beatles’ most iconic appearances and album releases. The second act showcases the later years,” Curatolo said.

Costume changes reflect the passing of time.

“It’s been called a jukebox musical, so it’s something between a Broadway musical and a live concert experience,” Curatolo said. “It’s a big, multimedia experience and very crowd-interactive. Within it, there’s footage from the time period that really pulls you in from the moment you walk into the theater.”

RAIN evolved from a band called Reign that started playing original music and Beatles’ covers in Los Angeles clubs in 1975.

“After they started doing Beatles nights, they noticed a spike in interest from their fans, so they started really delving in and just spotlighting The Beatles,” Curatolo said. The name also evolved to reference The Beatles’ song.

Joey Curatolo joined RAIN in 1978.

The group began touring, with the Rain Corp. taking over management in 2001.

The production had a 300-show Broadway run in 2010.

“It’s absolutely astounding to look out in the audience nowadays. I’m seeing upwards of four generations of Beatle fans – all in one family, you’ve got the grandma and grandpa sitting with the grandkids and everybody in between,” Curatolo said. “I see college students and teenagers together in a group trying to get the experience of what it might have felt like to see The Beatles live.

“It really goes to show that their music is timeless and relevant,” he added. “They always spoke of peace and love, and that’s never going to go away. The music just stands the test of time.”

Tickets for RAIN at The Palace are $36-$79, available by calling 724-836-8000 or online at thepalacetheatre.org. The show was rescheduled from dates in 2020 and 2021; all original tickets will be honored.