Danny Elfman, The Pumpkin King

Last night was supposed to be the first live U.S. performance from singer/composer Danny Elfman in 18 years, but because the Halloween show of Danny Elfman’s ‘Music From the Films of Tim Burton’ at the Nokia Theater sold out faster than the Avon lady, two shows were added prior to the original performance. That frustration aside, all the true fans came out on All Hallows’ Eve to spend the night with the master spooky composer, cloaked as their favorite Tim Burton characters. It was a gothic cinematic extravaganza!

Animated conductor John Mauceri commanded the stage with a playfulness as if Danny Elfman was moving Mauceri’s arms himself. Along with the amazing Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and Page LA Choir playing the scores to Burton favorites including, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton’s personal sketches from the films were projected onto screens.

Danny Elfman belted out songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas, teasing us with his skeletal mystique. I think everyone was hoping for a least one Oingo Boingo song, but, nevertheless, it was still a dead man’s party.

What’s this? Yes, the voice of Sally (Catherine O’Hara) graced the stage singing Sally’s Song. Later, Tim Burton walked out to a screaming crowd, congratulating Danny Elfman on his body of work. Halloween is over.

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