(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents Home Alone with live orchestral accompaniment on December 5 and 6 in Newark and New Brunswick, respectively. Conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos returns to lead the NJSO in John Williams’ full film score as the holiday classic screens above the stage. The performances—the second of this season’s NJSO POPS offerings—mark the 25th anniversary of Home Alone’s release. The New Jersey Youth Chorus joins the NJSO to bring the film score’s celebrated songs like “Somewhere in My Memory” to life.
Performances take place on Saturday, December 5, at 8 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Sunday, December 6, at 3 pm at the State Theatre in New Brunswick. The December 6 performance is presented in collaboration with the State Theatre.
Home Alone, dubbed a “carefree and wry” comedy by The New York Times, features Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an 8-year-old boy who is accidentally left behind when his family leaves for Christmas vacation and must defend his home against two bungling thieves.
Composer John Williams writes: “Ever since Home Alone appeared, it has held a unique place in the affections of a very broad public. Director Chris Columbus brought a uniquely fresh and innocent approach to this delightful story, and the film has deservedly become a perennial favorite at holiday time.
“I took great pleasure in composing the score for the film, and I am especially delighted that the magnificent New Jersey Symphony Orchestra has agreed to perform the music in a live presentation of the movie. I know I speak for everyone connected with the making of the film in saying that we are greatly honored by this event … and I hope that audiences will experience the renewal of joy that the film brings with it, each and every year.”
Of the film itself, Variety writes: “A first-rate production in which every element contributes to the overall smartly realized tone, [Home Alone] boasts wonderful casting, with Culkin a delight as funny, resilient Kevin, and [Catherine] O’Hara bringing a snappy, zesty energy to the role of mom. [Joe] Pesci is aces in the role of slippery housebreaker Harry, who does a Two Stooges routine with lanky side-kick [Daniel] Stern.”
NJSO Accent festivities include carol sing-alongs beginning one hour before each concert. Additional information about this season’s NJSO Accent events is available at www.njsymphony.org/accents.
At both concerts, patrons can bring new, unwrapped toys to donate to the NJSO’s annual Toys for Tots drive.
The program is the second in the 2015–16 NJSO POPS series. The NJSO’s five-concert pops series in Newark and New Brunswick opened with the return of Cirque de la Symphonie’s troupe of acrobatic performers in October. Upcoming pops concerts feature Broadway and television stars Megan Hilty and Cheyenne Jackson (the former in a Valentine’s Day-weekend program of music from the American Songbook and the latter in a program featuring music of the “Mad Men” era), as well as a retrospective of five decades of music from the films of James Bond. The new two-concert series in Red Bank includes the programs Hilty and Jackson will headline. Full series information is available at www.njsymphony.org/pops.
Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org, by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or in person. The NJSO Patron Services and Sales office is located at 60 Park Place, 9th floor, in Newark; tickets are available by phone or in person Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Tickets for the December 6 performance are also available from the State Theatre ticket office online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org, by phone at 732.246.SHOW (7469) or in person. The State Theatre ticket office is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick—hours are Monday–Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday, 1 to 5 pm, and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified.
