( CHICAGO, IL ) The live concert experience of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas returns to the Auditorium Theatre for the second year for two special Halloween screenings on October 31 and November 1. The Chicago Philharmonic brings the film to life as they perform Danny Elfman's classic score, including iconic songs like "This Is Halloween" and "Jack's Lament."
"As we celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Auditorium, we are excited to establish new traditions like the annual showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas here at the theatre," says C.J. Dillon, Auditorium Theatre Chief Programming Officer. "It is an unforgettable experience to hear the songs and music from this beloved movie performed live on the Auditorium Theatre's stage alongside the film. We invite all of Chicago to join us for this unique Halloween celebration!"
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to participate in Halloween activities in the theatre's historic ( and perhaps even haunted! ) historic lobby spaces. Guests can go trick-or-treating around the theatre; stop by and create a drawing at a coloring station; and pose for photos in front of an Auditorium-themed backdrop with special Nightmare props, including a life-sized Jack Skellington. The Auditorium Theatre also hosts a costume contest, with prizes including restaurant gift cards and Nightmare merchandise. Winners of last year's costume contest included a family dressed up as the cast of Little Shop of Horrors, Edward Scissorhands and Kim, and Oogie Boogie from Nightmare ( complete with Lock, Shock, and Barrel in tow ). For a VIP experience, guests may purchase box service, an option that sold out in 2018 and includes seats in the Auditorium's upper boxes, an open bar, and Halloween and movie snacks.
The Auditorium Theatre participates in the Arts in the Dark parade on State Street on October 19 from 6PM to 8PM with a Nightmare Before Christmas float, featuring Jack and Sally and songs from the Nightmare soundtrack. Volunteers interested in dressing up in their Nightmare finest and walking in the parade may sign up here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, based on an original story by Tim Burton, follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's resident Pumpkin King, as he adventures to Christmas Town. Bored with his perennial role as the frightening Pumpkin King, Jack is determined to shake things up. With the help of three mischievous trick-or-treaters, Jack devises a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take over the job of delivering gifts to the children of the world. His plan goes awry, and Jack must rescue Santa Claus from the clutches of the evil Oogie Boogie in order to restore harmony. The movie is rated PG.
About the Chicago Philharmonic
The Chicago Philharmonic has been called "one of the country's finest symphonic orchestras" by the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Bernstein and beyond. Founded nearly 30 years ago, the Chicago Philharmonic currently serves as the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet, continues its 25-year association with the Ravinia Festival, is a resident company of Harris Theater Chicago, and performs regularly at the Auditorium Theatre, Symphony Center, and other the great concert halls of the Chicago and North Shore area. In 2018, the Illinois Council of Orchestras awarded the Chicago Philharmonic "Orchestra of the Year."
Event Information
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Thursday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $30 and are available online at tickets.auditoriumtheatre.org/calendar/2468/nightmare-before-christmas , by phone at 312.341.2300, or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office ( 50 E Ida B Wells Dr ). The Nightmare Before Christmas is part of the Auditorium Theatre's American Music Series subscription, which offers a 25% discount on tickets and also includes Get Out with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Celebrates Sondheim!, and Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more people are also available.
Box seats may be purchased at $95 ( adult ) or $78 ( under 18 ) and include a seat in an upper box, an open bar, and Halloween/movie snacks. Box service may be purchased online here with the promo code BOXSEAT.
The Auditorium Theatre also offers $20 student rush tickets to full-time college students and $5 tickets to young people ages 13-19 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program. The Auditorium Theatre's ADMIT ONE program offers complimentary tickets to Chicago-area community groups.
Upcoming Events at the Auditorium Theatre
September 21: Get Out with the Chicago Sinfonietta
September 24: National Geographic Live — Between River and Rim: Hiking the Grand Canyon
October 4: Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater + Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
October 16-27: The Joffrey Ballet — Jane Eyre
October 31+November 1: Disney in Concert: The Nightmare Before Christmas
November 7-9: 93XRT Presents The String Cheese Incident
November 10: Sleeping Beauty Dreams
November 16: Chicago Celebrates Sondheim!
November 21: An Evening with David Sedaris
November 30-December 29: The Joffrey Ballet — The Nutcracker
About the Auditorium Theatre
The Auditorium Theatre, located at 50 E Ida B Wells Dr at Roosevelt University in Chicago, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark, and was recognized by the League of Historic American Theatres as the Outstanding Historic Theatre for 2019 for its programming, restoration, and community engagement.
The Auditorium Theatre 2019-20 Season is made possible in part with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. Chicago Magazine is the official magazine sponsor. For more information about programming, volunteer, and donor opportunities or theatre tours, please call 312.341.2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org . For a complete listing of events at the Auditorium Theatre, please click THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE PRESENTS DISNEY IN CONCERT:
TIM BURTON'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS ON HALLOWEEN AND NOVEMBER 1
Featuring the Chicago Philharmonic Performing Danny Elfman's
Classic Score Live to Film
Halloween Activities, Including Trick-or-Treating and a Costume Contest, Hosted in the Theatre's Historic Lobbies Before the Show
and During Intermission
( CHICAGO, IL ) The live concert experience of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas returns to the Auditorium Theatre for the second year for two special Halloween screenings on October 31 and November 1. The Chicago Philharmonic brings the film to life as they perform Danny Elfman's classic score, including iconic songs like "This Is Halloween" and "Jack's Lament."
"As we celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Auditorium, we are excited to establish new traditions like the annual showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas here at the theatre," says C.J. Dillon, Auditorium Theatre Chief Programming Officer. "It is an unforgettable experience to hear the songs and music from this beloved movie performed live on the Auditorium Theatre's stage alongside the film. We invite all of Chicago to join us for this unique Halloween celebration!"
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to participate in Halloween activities in the theatre's historic ( and perhaps even haunted! ) historic lobby spaces. Guests can go trick-or-treating around the theatre; stop by and create a drawing at a coloring station; and pose for photos in front of an Auditorium-themed backdrop with special Nightmare props, including a life-sized Jack Skellington. The Auditorium Theatre also hosts a costume contest, with prizes including restaurant gift cards and Nightmare merchandise. Winners of last year's costume contest included a family dressed up as the cast of Little Shop of Horrors, Edward Scissorhands and Kim, and Oogie Boogie from Nightmare ( complete with Lock, Shock, and Barrel in tow ). For a VIP experience, guests may purchase box service, an option that sold out in 2018 and includes seats in the Auditorium's upper boxes, an open bar, and Halloween and movie snacks.
The Auditorium Theatre participates in the Arts in the Dark parade on State Street on October 19 from 6PM to 8PM with a Nightmare Before Christmas float, featuring Jack and Sally and songs from the Nightmare soundtrack. Volunteers interested in dressing up in their Nightmare finest and walking in the parade may sign up here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, based on an original story by Tim Burton, follows the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's resident Pumpkin King, as he adventures to Christmas Town. Bored with his perennial role as the frightening Pumpkin King, Jack is determined to shake things up. With the help of three mischievous trick-or-treaters, Jack devises a plan to kidnap Santa Claus and take over the job of delivering gifts to the children of the world. His plan goes awry, and Jack must rescue Santa Claus from the clutches of the evil Oogie Boogie in order to restore harmony. The movie is rated PG.
"Filling in Danny Elfman's whimsical score was the Chicago Philharmonic, costumed for the occasion and playing every note beautifully live." — Picture This Post
"These talented musicians truly brought to life the spooky magic of
legendary Danny Elfman's music." — Chicago Stage Standard
About the Chicago Philharmonic
The Chicago Philharmonic has been called "one of the country's finest symphonic orchestras" by the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of over 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of classical music, from Bach to Bernstein and beyond. Founded nearly 30 years ago, the Chicago Philharmonic currently serves as the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet, continues its 25-year association with the Ravinia Festival, is a resident company of Harris Theater Chicago, and performs regularly at the Auditorium Theatre, Symphony Center, and other the great concert halls of the Chicago and North Shore area. In 2018, the Illinois Council of Orchestras awarded the Chicago Philharmonic "Orchestra of the Year."
Event Information
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Thursday, October 31 | 7:30PM
Friday, November 1 | 7:30PM
Tickets start at $30 and are available online here, by phone at 312.341.2300, or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office ( 50 E Ida B Wells Dr ). The Nightmare Before Christmas is part of the Auditorium Theatre's American Music Series subscription, which offers a 25% discount on tickets and also includes Get Out with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Celebrates Sondheim!, and Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more people are also available.
Box seats may be purchased at $95 ( adult ) or $78 ( under 18 ) and include a seat in an upper box, an open bar, and Halloween/movie snacks. Box service may be purchased online here with the promo code BOXSEAT.
The Auditorium Theatre also offers $20 student rush tickets to full-time college students and $5 tickets to young people ages 13-19 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program. The Auditorium Theatre's ADMIT ONE program offers complimentary tickets to Chicago-area community groups.
Upcoming Events at the Auditorium Theatre
September 21: Get Out with the Chicago Sinfonietta
September 24: National Geographic Live — Between River and Rim: Hiking the Grand Canyon
October 4: Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater + Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
October 16-27: The Joffrey Ballet — Jane Eyre
October 31+November 1: Disney in Concert: The Nightmare Before Christmas
November 7-9: 93XRT Presents The String Cheese Incident
November 10: Sleeping Beauty Dreams
November 16: Chicago Celebrates Sondheim!
November 21: An Evening with David Sedaris
November 30-December 29: The Joffrey Ballet — The Nutcracker
About the Auditorium Theatre
The Auditorium Theatre, located at 50 E Ida B Wells Dr at Roosevelt University in Chicago, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark, and was recognized by the League of Historic American Theatres as the Outstanding Historic Theatre for 2019 for its programming, restoration, and community engagement.
The Auditorium Theatre 2019-20 Season is made possible in part with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, and the Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. Chicago Magazine is the official magazine sponsor. For more information about programming, volunteer, and donor opportunities or theatre tours, please call 312.341.2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org . For a complete listing of events at the Auditorium Theatre, please click tickets.auditoriumtheatre.org/ .
