Stage Door: Lennon Through A Glass Onion

Australian actor John R. Waters, with a strong assist from Stewart D’Arrietta, brings his version of John Lennon’s artistry to Lennon Through A Glass Onion. The show, now at the Union Square Theater, has been a touring mainstay for the two for 20 years. The premise: Lennon as aging rocker ruminating on his past; there’s no through line or chronology. He just muses on fame, religion, revolution and Yoko — alongside 34 of his beloved songs, such as “All You Need Is Love,” “Revolution,” “Nowhere Man” and “Woman.” The effect, however, is more rueful than raging. The real John Lennon, evident in snarky, occasionally hostile interviews, often came across as the quintessential angry young man. Yet, he was also charming, wickedly clever and compelling — and it’s difficult to capture such a potent brew. Waters dons a Liverpool accent, and recreates Lennon (and McCartney) classics, but in a voice more reminiscent of Dylan than the provocative Beatle. Admittedly Lennon is a tough act to follow, which makes Through A Glass Onion, though sincere, hard to pull off.