McGuigan holiday traditions

The McGuigan brothers have been performing Yesterday and Today, a tribute to The Beatles, at the Omaha Community Playhouse for seven years now; it has become a staple during the OCP holiday season. Although performing in their hometown is a big part of their own holidays, it is not the only tradition they take part in.

What are some of your holiday season traditions? What is your favorite?

• Matthew: Every year we put up a Beatles-themed Christmas tree. It's always fun getting a new ornament to hang on the tree. 
• Ryan: Putting up the Christmas decorations. I think even as an adult, you feel like a kid. 
• Billy: For me, December and the holidays mean the Omaha Community Playhouse. For over 10 years, I’ve spent every December in the Howard Drew Theatre getting to perform in shows that I love, while spending time with audiences that come back year after year. My favorite part is meeting the audience members after the show. It’s like an annual high school and family reunion all in one!

What do you look forward to during the holiday season?

• Matthew: Spending quality with my wife, Christine, and son, Lennon. After touring all year, it's always nice to be home in December. 
• Ryan: I look forward to the full month of Yesterday and Today at OCP. It's nice to be working from home during the holiday season. 
• Billy: I love the holiday season energy that seems to be in the air. People hustling in the mall, families making holiday meal plans in the grocery store and bells ringing in the cool air. There’s just something about it that is unique to this time of year.

Are there any traditions that you have continued from your childhood?

• Matthew: We always open presents on Christmas Eve. It's always hard to not give each other gifts before Christmas. 
• Ryan: The Carpenters Christmas, a McGuigan staple. Almost as much as The Beatles 
• Billy: The Christmas Mouse story! This is a story that our dad and his brothers used to tell us every year! It’s really just an odd story about a mouse that sees Santa and becomes his helper…my brothers and I told that story to my kids when they were little. You gotta love a passed-down family tradition!

Are there any traditions from your past that you miss?

• Matthew: Probably just the excitement of being a kid, anticipating what gifts you will receive. I will say it's more fun being a parent around the holidays and seeing the joy on my son's face when he sees all the gifts he's about to receive. 
• Ryan: I miss the times of sitting around the Christmas tree with all the lights in the house off except for the tree and all of us sitting there listening  to
  The Carpenters Christmas and being in awe of the illumination. It's probably the only time the McGuigan household was ever calm or placid. 
• Billy: Growing up, our Christmases were always spent in Florida with our grandparents. This not only meant great weather for the holidays, but it always meant huge family gatherings. About 25 to 30 of us would cram into a living room and an older family member would act as obnoxious Santa Claus and yell everybody’s name while we would all laugh and tell stories. Such a fantastic time!

Make Yesterday and Today part of your holiday tradition, Dec 5, 2014-Jan. 4, 2015 at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Thursday-Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday shows are at 6:30 p.m. with a performance at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14. Tickets are $38 for single tickets and $32 for groups. There will also be a 7 p.m. performance and a 10 p.m. performance on Dec. 31. Cake and punch will be served on New Year’s Eve with a champagne toast at midnight; tickets will be $50 for the 7 p.m. show and $75 for the 10 p.m. show. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (402) 552-0800, click here or visit the Box Office located in the southeast corner of the Omaha at 6915 Cass St.

Story by Madison Denkinger

Students part of Yesterday and Today

Yesterday and Today is an annual tradition at the Omaha Community Playhouse. For years, Billy McGuigan and his brothers Ryan and Matthew have brought The Beatles to life in a one-of-a-kind tribute show. The songs are picked by the audiences, with stories about what that song means to them personally, so every single show is different. This literally-stand-up-out-of-your-seat entertainment can't be missed.

This year's performances will be taking a fun new spin on some of the Beatles' classic songs: the McGuigan brothers have invited local children's choirs to join them on stage! Coming from all around the Omaha area, these kids get the opportunity to learn classic Beatles songs with Billy and his brothers, who know them best.

Though they won't be working with the kids until the actual night of the show, Billy says they have given the students' choir teachers all the necessary music to learn. Working with the kids "is something that all of us in the band are really looking forward to," Billy said.

Billy and his brothers were raised on The Beatles from the time they were very young. "I was most likely minutes old when my dad started singing Beatles songs to me," Billy said. "My first word wasn't Mom or Dad, it was 'lellow' --- from 'Yellow Submarine'. Their music was always around, always present in our household. Our dad always led us to believe The Beatles were our long lost uncles who just never sent money."

What Beatles songs should every kid know by age 10?
All Together Now. "It's simple, but has a beautiful meaning and message that's as relevant today as it was in the 60s," said Billy.

The McGuigans decided they wanted to work with young kids this year because they wanted to involve more of the community that has given them so much. "We decided that giving the kids the opportunity to not only learn some Beatles songs but to also partake in the theatrical experience would be the best way to do that," said Billy. "Maybe this one experience will spark a future career in music or the arts. That's our goal!"

"For the show as a whole," said Billy, "we are confident that having the kids participate will bring out the fact that this show is ALL about the audience, the community and all of our experience with The Beatles' music."

Below is a list of the participating schools (who will be sending about 10-14 kids from their choirs to be a part of the shows) and the dates that the choir will be performing:

Saddlebrook Elementary - Dec. 6
Dundee Elementary - Dec. 12
Crestridge - Dec. 13
Russell Middle School - Dec. 14 and 15

Billy and his brothers are emphatic in saying how grateful and thankful they are to call Omaha and the Omaha Community Playhouse home, as they are able to return year after year with their fantastic show.

"We strive to make the show better each year," said Billy, "and make sure that we make some changes each year so that our audience members who come back every year (some have seen the show over 20 times!) always have something fresh to look forward to!"

Come see these talented kids and the Beatles pros, the McGuigans, in the Omaha Community Playhouse's production of Yesterday and Today. The show be running Dec. 6-29, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. performance on Dec. 8. There is also a special performance on Dec. 31;  Tickets are $38 and $32 for groups. There will be special pricing for the performance on New Year's Eve; tickets will be $50 for the 7 p.m. show and $75 for the 10 p.m. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (402) 553-0800, visit the Box Office or click here.
Article by Shannon Kern

Teacher Sees Former Students Excel on Stage in Yesterday and Today

For years, Billy McGuigan and his brothers Ryan and Matthew have thrilled audiences around the country with their all-request Beatles tribute show, Yesterday and Today. Billy has had a successful and fulfilling career as a musician and entertainer, having created three critically acclaimed musical tribute shows. Every year fans are delighted with the return of the toe-tapping, sing along show Yesterday and Today to the Omaha Community Playhouse. One fan in particular, Kent Hanon, has been coming to Yesterday and Today on New Year's Eve for years to celebrate the holiday and watch his former students perform an energetic rendition of The Beatles' music. Kent taught Billy and his brothers drama at Bellevue East while they were in high school.

When asked what Billy was like when he was younger Kent said, “Billy, or Billy Mug, as I used to call him, was one talented and dedicated student. He wanted to be the best at everything he did, but he didn’t have an ego. Billy would be anything I needed him to be whether an actor, a singer, a musician or even a tap dancer.”

Billy wasn’t solely devoted to music as Kent explains, “He was more interested in acting when he was younger. Billy used to do stand-up at the Funny Bone and got cast in several musicals, which is how he eventually got his start in music. He had the natural ability and dedication to do almost anything. I always knew he was destined to do great things.”

Kent continues to describe Billy as “a natural showman who can be anyone you want him to be. Billy’s confidence and talent make him a great performer that audiences love. He has such a great rapport with his audiences because he is energetic, funny and knows how to keep them engaged.”

When asked why he attends the New Year's Eve performance of Yesterday and Today every year Kent explains, “There is no better way to ring in the new year than with Billy and his brothers rocking out to The Beatles music. It never gets old because every show is different. That’s the great part of a request show.” When describing the atmosphere on New Year's Eve, he says, “The show is loud and full of energy. A lot of the same people come back every year, so it’s fun to see familiar faces enjoy the show year after year.”

Kent is planning on attending Yesterday and Today again this New Year's Eve to see Billy and his brothers showcase their talent and their love for the Beatles music.

Be sure to catch this all-request Beatles tribute show as it will have you dancing in the aisles and singing along to every song. Share your stories and relive your memories with your favorite Beatles songs. No two shows are the same and every show is a guaranteed energetic and exhilarating time!

Tickets are on sale now. The show runs from December 7- 31 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets: $38; Groups of 12 or more: $32. Special New Year's Eve Performances at 7 p.m., tickets: $50 and 10 p.m., tickets: $75. There are no Twilight tickets. For tickets, call (402) 553-0800, click here or come in today.

Story by Ryan Murray

Ring in the New Year with Yesterday and Today!

At the end of the year we look forward to new beginnings and celebrate what is to come in the new year. Yesterday and Today and the music from The Beatles inspires us to do just that.

The Beatles-singing brothers, Billy, Ryan and Matthew McGuigan, share some of their New Year’s Eve traditions and memories, as well as what they anticipate for 2012:

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2012?
Ryan: My New Year’s resolution would be to read more.

Billy: To remain positive and proactive in the face of adversity!

What are you looking forward to this year? What goals do you wish to accomplish?
Matthew: Another great year with Yesterday and Today! I hope we make Yesterday and Today the most talked about Beatles show in the country.

Ryan: “I’m looking forward to the Cubs winning the World Series in 2012. As far as goals or accomplishments, I would love for my band, Moses Prey, to record and release another album this year.

You throw a pretty big New Year’s Eve party. Are you surprised at how popular it has become?
Matthew: Yes and no. I would say yes, because you never really know what to expect when performing on NYE. The fact that people want to spend their time with us is awesome! I can’t think of anything I would rather do. The reason I’m not surprised, is because the love that people have for the Beatles music. I’m sure that someone in the audience has a great memory of NYE, that has a Beatles song tied to it.

Billy: I’m completely shocked by the NYE show’s success. I remember when we approached the Playhouse about trying a NYE show in 2003. It was something that the Playhouse had never tried, but with Rave On’s success that year, we decided to give it a try. It was a huge success and here we are still doing it for almost 9 years now. I do think that Yesterday and Today is more suitable for the NYE atmosphere—the requests and open format of the show lend themselves perfectly to having a unique and exciting evening.

Growing up did you have any New Year’s traditions that you celebrated with your family?
Billy: Our main New Year’s Eve traditions always involved gathering around the television to watch Dick Clark live in Times Square. We would then talk about our goals and resolutions and about who would be the first to break them! Nothing too special, but a good memory nonetheless.

Do you think the show this year will be a better alternative to watching Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
Billy: No need to sit at home and watch Ryan Seacrest tell you what’s cool to listen to or watch. We’ve got a Ryan (who’s much cooler) and I’ve got the Seacrest haircut, and at Yesterday and Today, you get to tell us what song you want to hear.

Matthew: Most definitely! We give you one of the best options for celebrating the New Year. Music, dancing, champagne. What more could you ask for?

Is there a Beatles song you can think of that best sums up what 2011 was like for you? What is your 2012 Beatles anthem?
Matthew: I would say “Getting Better” would be next years anthem. Like the song says, “it’s getting better all the time. It can’t get no worse!” Great words to live by.

Billy: "The Long and Winding Road" for 2011 and "Getting Better" for 2012!

Ryan: Beatles song of this year, “Here, There, and Everywhere.” Beatles anthem of 2012, “All You Need is Love.”


Yesterday and Today runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse December 2-31, 2011 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $38 ($32 for groups of 15 or more) with two special New Year's Eve performances: 7 p.m. ($50) and 10 p.m. ($75). Both New Year's Eve performances include complimentary cake and champagne punch with a champagne toast at midnight for the 10 p.m. show. For tickets, click here or call (402) 553-0800.


Article by Natalie McGovern

Goodbye 2010! Hello 2011!

"You say goodbye and I say hello!" Say goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011 with the music of The Beatles!



Do you have plans for New Year's Eve? Spend it at the Omaha Community Playhouse rocking to The Beatles! On Friday, Dec. 31, there will be two special New Year's Eve performances of Yesterday and Today, the all-request, audience interactive Beatles experience.

7:00 p.m., $50
10:00 p.m., $75

Complimentary champagne punch and cake served prior to each performance with a champagne toast at midnight!



Every Yesterday and Today show is different. Audience members have the chance to request Beatles songs before the show and at intermission and include their special memory or dedication with their request. The McGuigan brothers and their backing band play the songs and have audience members on their feet dancing by the time the show is over.

For tickets to these special New Year's Eve performances or other Yesterday and Today performances, call (402) 553-0800.

Interview with Billy McGuigan on Family, Influences and John Lennon

Yesterday and Today, an interactive Beatles experience, returns to the Omaha Community Playhouse this year with a special focus on remembering John Lennon. On December 9, a special production in the month-long run of Yesterday and Today will be dedicated to Lennon, falling on the day after the 30th anniversary of his assassination. Billy McGuigan, the front man of the show, reflects on the influences of John Lennon in his own life and in pop culture.



Rewind to December 8, 1980. Were you alive then? What were you doing when you found out about John Lennon’s death? Billy was a mere five years old, yet he can recall that day very clearly. His father, a huge fan of The Beatles, woke him up one morning with tears in his eyes. He remembers his father trying to explain the significance of what had happened, but in his childhood he could not acknowledge it. Billy described that this experience to his father was similar to losing a family member. His family was quite poor, but his father owned every album of The Beatles, and for entertainment the family would stay at home and sing and play Beatles songs. Years later, when Billy’s father passed away, Billy and his two brothers, Ryan and Matthew, decided they would create a Beatles tribute show in memory of their father’s love of The Beatles. Yesterday and Today was born.



Lennon undoubtedly made a big impact on Billy; in fact, he said that Lennon’s influence was like that of a parent to him, musically and in his career. Billy has always been the “John” guy of his brothers, as they all found that they could relate to a certain member of the band. He especially appreciated Lennon’s fight against the status quo and his lyrical style, identifying “Come Together” as his favorite Beatles song. Billy is reading Lennon’s biography at the moment, and explained that Lennon was the first pop star who did not want to be a pop star. He said Lennon fought for peace in a time period in which it was not the cool thing to do. Lennon’s political activism defined him, and his influences can be found throughout the music world.

Billy loves that The Beatles are on iTunes now, and thinks this digital edition of classic Beatles music will be a great update to those who love The Beatles. He is even passing The Beatles tradition to his kids, as he named his daughter Cartney after Paul McCartney. He proudly mentioned that his 2-year-old son knows around one hundred Beatles songs already. Ryan and Matthew have also spread The Beatles tradition to their children: Ryan’s son is named Harrison and Matthew’s newborn son as of October is named Lennon.



Yesterday and Today is an entertaining and interactive show in which the audience members get to choose the songs they hear. With each request, audience members are encouraged to share their memories, stories and dedications. At the beginning of each song, Billy and his brothers announce the diverse requests, incorporating the audience members into the show and guaranteeing that every performance is unique.

This year, Yesterday and Today will be refreshing as well, with the addition of new band members and repertoire. Billy describes Yesterday and Today as a dream show that he’s just lucky to be a part of and hopes to share the joy of The Beatles’ music once again this December with Omaha. Yesterday and Today runs at the Omaha Community Playhouse through December 31, 2010 in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are on sale for $38 through December 30; the New Years Eve 7:00 p.m. show is $50 and the 10:00 p.m. show is $75. For tickets, call (402) 553-0800 or click here.

Article by Lindsay Nystrom

35 Reasons to Have a Holiday Party at the Playhouse

The Omaha Community Playhouse is the perfect place to have your holiday party. Enjoy the festive decorations and holiday atmosphere followed by a production of A Christmas Carol or Yesterday and Today—the all-request Beatles show. Need more reasons?

Here are 35 reasons to have a pre-show party for the 35th annual production of A Christmas Carol:


1) Get into the Holiday Spirit BEFORE the show.
2) Custom parties for your friends, family or coworkers.
3) You make the reservation; we’ll take care of the details.
4) Discount tickets for parties of 15 or more.
5) Reward your employees.
6) You can eat, drink and be merry.
7) Private space.
8) Our halls are already decked.

9) Themed Parties.
10) Two words: cocktail hour.
11) You can exchange gifts before the show.
12) We celebrate more than twelve days of Christmas.
13) Arrange a behind the scenes tour.

14) You can have it catered.
15) Reserve early and receive premium seating.
16) Affordable rental rates.
17) We’ll clean up the wrapping paper.
18) Hot cocoa.
19) Jack Frost is NOT invited.


20) Play games.
21) Invite Santa Claus to your event.
22) Last year, you burned the fruit cake.
23) After dinner you can walk to the show.
24) We put the Ho Ho Ho in dinner before the show.
25) Spread holiday cheer.
26) Have carolers sing to you.
27) Smaller appetite? Have hors d’oeuvres or lunch instead of dinner.
28) It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
29) We don’t have a naughty list.
30) Enjoy a night of great theatre.
31) A gift the whole family will love.
32) Our nights really aren’t that silent.
33) Wear festive attire.
34) Spend time with your loved ones.
35) Good time guarantee. After 35 years, we know how to throw a party!

The 35th year of our annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, or our Beatles request show, Yesterday and Today, will once again put you in the spirit of the season!

Select dates are available for a pre-show dinner or cocktail reception. Have your company party, family dinner or get together with friends to enjoy incredible scenery, beautiful costumes and melodious music at the show.

For reservations, group tickets and rental rates, contact Megan Karbowski, Director of Sales, at (402) 553-4890, ext.147 or email mkarbowski@omahaplayhouse.com.