If you’ve ever dreamed of hearing The Nightmare Before Christmas live — with Jack Skellington’s hijinks underscored by a full symphony — now’s your chance.
Composer Danny Elfman is bringing his delightfully dark and whimsical world to Benaroya Hall this fall with Danny Elfman’s Music From the Films of Tim Burton, performed by the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Symphony Chorale.
Tickets are already on sale via StubHub.
The concert celebrates Elfman’s 25-year creative partnership with filmmaker Tim Burton, whose gothic-meets-playful style has enchanted audiences since the late ’80s.
Together, the pair have created some of cinema’s most instantly recognizable soundscapes, from the mischievous organ bursts of Beetlejuice to the haunting lullabies of Edward Scissorhands and the brooding brass of Batman.
Expect to hear highlights from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more, all while visuals of Burton’s original sketches, drawings, and storyboards light up the big screen.
The performance runs just over two hours, with an intermission to catch your breath (or your ghost, depending on the number).
The Man Behind the Music
Before he was Hollywood’s go-to composer for the fantastically odd, Elfman was the frontman for the quirky new wave band Oingo Boingo.
Since scoring Burton’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, Elfman has penned more than 100 film and TV scores, picking up Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award nominations along the way.
His credits include Men in Black, Good Will Hunting, Spider-Man, and the unmistakable theme to The Simpsons.
If You Go
- Dates: Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.
- Location: S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium – Benaroya Hall
- Running Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes with intermission
- Doors Open: 1 hour, 30 minutes before showtime
Whether you’re a Burton superfan, an Elfman enthusiast, or just someone who enjoys your symphonies with a side of spooky fun, this concert promises to be a night where music, movies, and imagination collide.
Tickets are already on sale via StubHub.
