Being in the city of actors, writers, movie studios, and splashy premieres, the Hollywood Bowl is the perfect place to celebrate your favorite movies.
Most recently, Classical Tuesdays featured a screening of the technicolor musical Singin’ in the Rain: Live in Concert. Led by one of the Bowl’s stalwart conductors, composer David Newman, the night displayed the movie on a giant screen over the stage while the LA Philharmonic played the score live to the film.
These nights are popular for Bowl enthusiasts. Past films with live scores include the original “Star Wars” trilogy, the “Harry Potter” films, and the Steven Spielberg remake of “West Side Story,” conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, who also conducted the orchestra on the film’s actual soundtrack.
While you don’t spend a lot of time watching the orchestra, every once in a while, you remember that the score you’re hearing isn’t the movie’s original soundtrack. And the fact that the LA Phil is performing the score so perfectly to the film on screen is pretty jaw-dropping.
On Friday, August 30th, and Saturday, August 31st, superhero fans can get their powers on with the Marvel Studio’s Infinity Saga Concert Experience. With Dudamel conducting, the night will feature the global premiere of a brand new concert featuring 23 films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The entire Avengers Infinity Saga will be told through images and music, from Iron Man to Captain America, Black Panther, Black Widow, and more. Not only that, there will also be light-up PixMob wristbands (to illuminate the Bowl audience in an array of colors), fireworks, and a few additional surprises. My guess… we might see some of our favorite superheroes live on stage! Or at least the actors who play them.
Lastly, on Saturday, September 21st, is the annual Bowl favorite: Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long. The night features the film projected on a huge screen, while words and a bouncy ball allow guests to follow along with the lyrics to each and every classic song. Audience participation is highly encouraged and a fun gift-pack of treats allow fans to play along as the movie plays. Hiss at the Baroness, “boo!” Ralph the Nazi, and swoon when the Captain and Maria fall in love.
There is also a costume parade led by actress and comedian Melissa Peterman an hour and a half before the movie begins. It’s always a treat to see the inventive costumes that fans have created.
But one of the best things is when the Captain launches into the beautiful ballad “Edelweiss” while thousands of audience members light up the Bowl with their phone’s flashlight. It’s a quiet, beautiful moment that will be a memory you don’t want to miss.
For more information on these upcoming movie events or more Bowl shows, visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.
