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When I was about 12 years old, and seriously into acting, I sang and possibly tap-danced in budget community production of Schoolhouse Rock Live!. My big number was “The Preamble“; my brother Dan, who was always roped into doing these things with me, contributed the infamous “I’m just a bill.” It was silly, and kind of cheesy, but we had grown up watching Schoolhouse Rock on television, and the music seemed infused with happy memories.

The Society Hill Playhouse‘s production of She Loves You! works in a similar manner, except for their actors”"and producers, and costume designers, and event staff”" are much, much better.

On the surface, the show is a two-hour medley of Beatles hits, strung together with bits of commercials and live news footage from the era. But it’s the energy, enthusiasm and keen attention to detail that really bring the production to life.

The cast was gathered from Beatlemania actors, television stars, and major recording artists. They’re great, every one of them. Not only do they replicate the vocal and instrumental parts of their doppelgangers”"they look”"and even act”"like them. Alan LeBoeuf’s Paul McCartney is fresh-faced and enthusiastic, David Leon’s John appropriately hard-to-read; John Brosnan’s George is dark-haired and mysterious and Carmine Grippo’s Ringo is just a little bit goofy.

The costumes seem lifted from the pages of history themselves, from the narrow suits worn by the band on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 to perfect recreations of the covers of Sgt. Pepper’s and Abbey Road.

Two large LCD screens mounted on either side of the stage and a full-sized scrim are used to show vintage commercials, including a very funny bit from Heinz Pickles (don’t click if you want to be surprised!) As the show moves forward, the images brilliantly move from black and white to Technicolor, culminating in footage from Martin Luther King, the 1968 Democratic National Convention, and a cartoon animation of “Yellow Submarine.”

Both the music and media move chronologically through time, from 1964 to 1969. I count 25 songs, from “I want to hold your hand” to “Hey Jude.” There are some unusual choices (such as Chuck Berry’s “Roll over Beethoven“, from With the Beatles) a bunch of hits, and a few of my favorites like “A Day in the Life” and “Something.” Most of the songs are shortened to about 2 minutes, but the singing and mood are so spot-on, you barely notice.

Is seeing She Loves You! like seeing the Beatles live, back when they were kings of rock? No, of course not. But no production could ever capture the raucousness and earth-shattering-ness of their reign, and She Loves You! doesn’t attempt to. Rather, the production offers an expertly executed, light-hearted and nostalgic cultural tribute to the band that forever changed rock music.

Leaving the theater on Friday night, I had a huge smile on my face, and I think everyone else did too. This production officially gets all my lovin’.

She Loves You at the Society Hill Playhouse, through December 28
507 S. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-0210
www.shelovesyouyeahyeahyeah.com