THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS: 25 YEARS – IN CONCERT LIVE TO PICTURE
Music composed by Danny Elfman
Conducted by John Mauceri
“Jack Skellington” performed by Danny Elfman
“Oogie Boogie” performed by Ken Page
Special violin performance by Sandy Cameron
Special guest vocalists: Randy Crenshaw, Greg Proops, Angie Jaree, Fletcher Sheridan and Baraka May
Performed by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
May 25, 2019
Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo, Japan
PART 1: A PLEASANT SURPRISE ON THE WAY TO WORK
It was by complete serendipity that I found out that a live-to-picture performance of THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS would be happening in Tokyo.
I was passing through Shinjuku station on a business trip when I chanced upon a huge advertising poster. What immediately caught my eye was the picture of Danny Elfman and the words “JACK IS BACK!” Intrigued, I looked a little closer at the Japanese text which stated that Elfman himself would be singing live!
Bursting with excitement, I took a photo of the poster and sent it immediately to the missus asking if it was OK for me to go – fortunately, she approved pretty quickly 😊
PART 2: CONCERT REPORT
Highly esteemed conductor John Mauceri got the concert started with the fabulous “Overture.” Dark and slippery sounds filled the hall followed by a short medley of instrumentals of the soundtrack’s main songs. It perfectly set the mood for the ghoulish night ahead.
The “Opening” came next with the short narration to set the scene. Used to the narration on the CD voiced by Patrick Stewart, this voice sounded different, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on who it was.
I would later find out that it was in fact Danny Elfman himself voicing the narration backstage! You can see a video of it that he uploaded to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=416685352249962
The iconic “This is Halloween” soon followed, and this was marked by the special guest vocalists coming out and lining up on stage to give an insanely infectious take on the song. Again, and unbeknownst to me at the time, Elfman provided additional vocals backstage: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=607841646387574
I remember being quite surprised to see Greg Proops on stage as I only knew him as one of the talented comedians from WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? Who knew he was also a talented singer!
Anyway, after a few excellent set pieces came the song everyone was waiting for, “What’s this?” Performed with endless charisma and passion in a splendid pin-striped suit, Elfman captivated the audience as soon as he stepped out on stage. What struck me most about seeing Elfman live on stage was his impeccable sense of timing – he was facing the audience and playing to them the whole time, not even once looking at the screen or conductor. He really was perfectly in synch and perfectly hamming it up to his adoring audience.
The intermission was followed by a very special performance by famed violin virtuoso, Sandy Cameron, and select members of the Tokyo Philharmonic. In a striking but cute goth outfit, she belted out a short medley of the film’s themes in a wild and fun arrangement while prancing around the stage.
A few songs later in an eye-catching bright green shirt, Ken Page, the original voice of Oogie Boogie in the film, gave a tremendous crowd-pleasing performance of “Oogie Boogie’s Song.” I’m sure I wasn’t the only one in the audience tapping my feet and secretly rooting for the bad guy!
By the time we got to the end of the film, I must admit that I was hoping for Catherine O’Hara, the original voice of Sally in the film, to sing the duet in the finale (“Finale/Reprise”) with Elfman. While this was not to be, Baraka May had done a bang-up job as “Sally” throughout the night. For the finale, she absolutely stunned the audience with her gorgeous, sincere, and deeply emotive performance. I could see people around me dabbing away tears, so touching was her performance and this final song.
PART 3: A FUN ENCORE
After the fun “End Title” suite, Elfman returned to the stage for his own deliciously sinister take on “Oogie Boogie’s Song.” Moving his body around the stage as if he was Oogie Boogie himself, Elfman had the audience in raptures.
While this was all happening, the conductor – John Mauceri – suddenly donned a Santa hat and assumed the role of Santa Claus, complete with spoken lines! I just couldn’t contain my laughter at this point – it really was a perfect and riotous end to this fantastic evening with Elfman and all the fabulous musicians that night.
PART 4: CONCERT MERCH
Goods galore!
As with all Disney concerts in Japan, there were truckloads of concert merch on offer at the concert. I only bought the things that were “concert” branded – the generic stuff could be bought elsewhere (and certainly much cheaper). I ended up getting a 25th anniversary t-shirt, tote bag, program, and A4-sized clear file.
One other very special merch item was being offered at the venue: an official “Disney Concerts” Mickey Mouse pin badge! You could only get this if you downloaded the Disney (?) app and showed it to the hall staff.
Very cool and I imagine quite rare now.
PART 5: CONCERT FLYER
Here are scans of the original A4-sized concert flyer.
PART 6: OTHER REVIEWS
For plenty of official photos of the concert and a review (in Japanese), click here.
I also had the pleasure of seeing the Burton/Elfman Halloween concert in 2016 at the same Tokyo venue. Please click here if interested in reading my report.
PART 7: OVER TO YOU
Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?
And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.
