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Live at Hollywood Bowl | Tenth Anniversary
October 31st, 2025 Review by Shane Pase
After years of wanting to cover this show, I finally made it to the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday October 25th for the tenth anniversary of Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas concert. This isn’t just another movie-with-orchestra event – it’s become something special that feels uniquely Los Angeles, uniquely Halloween, uniquely magical, and absolutely Danny Elfman.
The evening kicked off with the now-traditional costume contest, and let me tell you, the fans don’t mess around. About fifteen contestants made their way onto the legendary Bowl stage, each bringing their A-game in Nightmare Before Christmas character attire. Greg Proops, who voiced the Harlequin Demon, Devil, and Sax Player in the original film, served as MC with his trademark wit and energy.
The winners were pretty spectacular: an inflatable Mayor that had the crowd cracking up, a Jack Skellington who had traveled all the way from Japan for this show (talk about dedication), and someone whose Harlequin Demon costume was so detailed and well-crafted it could have been pulled straight from the movie.
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
October 25th, 2025
Then the main event began, and if you’ve never experienced this live, it’s genuinely something to behold. As Tim Burton’s beloved film played on screens throughout the Bowl, conductor John Mauceri led the full orchestra through Danny Elfman’s intricate score.
The musicians were absolutely flawless – every cue, every dynamic shift, every delicate moment perfectly executed. Mauceri has been conducting these performances since they began, and his familiarity with both the material and the unique demands of performing live to picture really showed.
But the real magic happens when Danny Elfman takes the stage. Watching the composer perform his own creation, singing Jack Skellington’s parts while the character moves across the screen, creates this weird and wonderful disconnect between reality and animation that never gets old. Elfman’s voice has aged gracefully, and he still inhabits Jack with the same manic energy and precise timing that made the originals so memorable and beloved.
The supporting cast brought their own strengths to the evening. John Stamos, Riki Lindhome, and Danny himself handled Lock, Shock, and Barrel with playful energy that captured the mischievous spirit of the trio.
Keith David stepped into the considerable shoes of Oogie Boogie and delivered a performance that was both respectful to the original and distinctly his own. His deep, menacing voice filled the Bowl, and he seemed to genuinely enjoy hamming it up during the villain’s big moment.
The chorus and backup vocals were handled by a talented ensemble including Greg Proops, Randy Crenshaw, Angie Jaree, Baraka May Williams, and Fletcher Sheridan. These performers don’t just fill in the gaps – they help create the full sonic landscape of Halloween Town, bringing energy and personality to every crowd scene and group number.
Special mention has to go to violinist Sandy Cameron, whose solo work was a genuine standout. Her virtuosic playing added an extra layer of elegance to an already rich musical tapestry, as did her rockstar like persona and antics on stage.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came after the film ended. Elfman returned to the stage to pay tribute to Ken Page, the original voice of Oogie Boogie, who passed away last year. Danny spoke with genuine emotion about the loss, mentioning that this was the first time they’d performed the show without Ken. He then performed “Oogie Boogie’s Song” solo, and while it was clearly difficult for him, it was also quite beautiful – a proper send-off for someone who had been part of this Nightmare family from the beginning.
But wait, there’s more. Because what would a Halloween show with Danny Elfman be without a little Oingo Boingo? Danny brought his current band to the stage, including drummer Ilan Rubin and, as he jokingly introduced him, “some young musician they were testing out” – fellow Boingo member “little Stevie Bartek.”
Anyone familiar with the band’s history knew exactly what was happening, and the crowd’s reaction was explosive.
They launched into “Dead Man’s Party” and “No One Lives Forever,” and suddenly the Bowl transformed from a concert hall into a Halloween dance party.
Watching Elfman switch from film composer mode to rock frontman mode was pure joy, and the energy in the venue was infectious.
The visual production deserves special recognition. Beyond the multiple screens playing the film and the Bowl’s atmospheric lighting that shifted with the movie’s moods, the real showstopper was the projection mapping on the Bowl’s iconic façade.
Throughout the performance, the face of the venue displayed ever-changing Nightmare Before Christmas imagery that perfectly framed the action on stage. It wasn’t just decoration – it was integral to creating the immersive experience that makes these shows feel like stepping into Halloween Town itself.
Ten years in, this has clearly evolved from a novelty into a genuine Los Angeles institution. The production values are top-notch, the performers understand their roles perfectly, and there’s a sense of celebration that goes beyond just nostalgia for a beloved film. It’s become a place where film music, live performance, and community come together in a way that feels both sophisticated and wonderfully silly.
If you’ve been on the fence about attending one of these shows, don’t wait. They sell out consistently for good reason, and experiencing this live is genuinely different from just watching the movie at home.
It’s theatrical, it’s musical, it’s visual, and most importantly, it’s fun in a way that reminds you why you fell in love with this strange little Halloween fairy tale in the first place.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Shane Pase Photography
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SID 251032 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
