Imagine what was going through John Lennon’s mind as his life was passing before him after being shot. The play “Lennon, Through A Glass Onion” is all about that concept. The show is now playing at the Union Square Theatre in New York.

Photo Credit: Hulton Archive Via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive Via Getty Images
loading...

Last week, I got to speak with John Waters who plays Lennon. He delivers the role without any makeup, wearing only black jeans, a t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. His gray hair gives you the idea that this is something John could have been doing right now, if he was still alive. Waters captures John’s essence and singing voice effortlessly, as he uses anecdotes, opinions, and reflections to set up the songs that we know oh so well.  Think of it as “John Lennon Unplugged.”

When we first see Waters as Lennon, he’s talking about how much he loves just being able to walk the streets of New York and how there’s this guy he sees lurking around. ‘He’s got a paperback in his pocket…”Catcher In The Rye” that’s esoteric.'  Then we hear shots, then we’re taking on a life reflection that starts with “A Day in The Life, and moves through 31 Lennon and Lennon/McCartney accompanied only by Stewart D’Arrietta on piano. Between the songs there is a bonding with the audience as Lennon tells you how he really felt about what was going on around him. You'll hear a newer, more honest version of “HELP” that Lennon said he had wanted to record.

Hearing the song “Beautiful Boy,” which is about being patient while waiting for Sean to grow up, was especially heartbreaking knowing that Lennon would never actually live to see it happen.

In the end, Lennon even gets a few jabs at his assassin saying "He’s probably had me in his house half his life coming out of his speakers.”

If you’re a Lennon fan, I would highly recommend seeing “Through a Glass Onion.” It really makes you feel like this is what John would actually be doing if he were, as Paul would say, “Here Today.”

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM