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Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Returns To Disney In Concert

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 10:55 PST, Sep 30, 2016

Fans who missed Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas live at the 2015 Hollywood Bowl have a second chance to see the musical concert. Disney In Concert announced, through a press release, that the live show will return to the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 28, Oct. 29, and Oct. 30, 2016. The concert features Danny Elfman as Jack Skellington, Catherine O’Hara as Sally, Paul Reubens as Lock, and Ken Page as Oogie Boogie. Each performer reprises their original film role. Danny Elfman not only voices Jack Skellington, but is the film’s composer and wrote the songs’ music and lyrics. The concert, which features the singers performing with a live orchestra while the film plays on a separate screen, was a tremendous success last Halloween. Demand for a 2016 performance was so great that an additional date was added to the schedule.

Danny Elfman released a statement regarding the concert’s return to the Hollywood Bowl.

“Being able to perform ‘Nightmare’ live last year, in synch to the movie with a full orchestra was such a thrill. But having Catherine O’Hara, Ken Page and Paul Reubens to perform with me really made it a unique and magical experience. I’m happy to bring it to our amazing Los Angeles audience one more time.”

Social media response to the show’s return has been great and many fans have expressed excitement about seeing the performers live. Fans on Facebook continue to reveal the draw the film has with its audience beyond the holiday season. The Nightmare Before Christmas was created with a budget of $18 million and to date has grossed more than $75 million.

Disney released Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Chrismas in 1993. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1994.

According to the press release, those attending the show are encouraged to dress in character as there will be pre-show activities including a costume contest. John Mauceri is the conductor and director of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He will lead the choir and orchestra as they provide music and vocals throughout the concert.

The press release described the events scheduled.

“Named ‘#1 Concert of 2015’ by the Orange Country Register, Halloween at the Hollywood Bowl, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Live to Film will transform this legendary venue into Halloween Town with special pre-show activities including an audience participation costume contest, unique photo opportunities and trick-or-treating stations. Tim Burton-inspired costumes are encouraged.”

Catherine O’Hara, who voices Sally, released a statement regarding the upcoming concert performance. Those unfamiliar with Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas might recognize Catherine O’Hara from her work in Home Alone, Frankenweenie, and Beetlejuice. Frankenweenie and Beetlejuice are also Tim Burton films.

“I’m proud to once again be part of such a fun evening celebrating Danny’s musical genius.”

Paul Reubens may be known to many as Pee-Wee Herman, but he’s Lock to The Nightmare Before Christmas fans. Herman shared a statement expressing his excitement about returning to the Hollywood Bowl.

“The thrill from last Halloween of being onstage at the Hollywood Bowl singing with Catherine O’Hara and Danny Elfman has lasted a whole year! Of course I’m back!”

Ken Page, who voices Oogie Boogie, also released a statement.

“There is nothing that I can compare with stepping out onto the Hollywood Bowl stage to a sold out house with the great LA musicians playing Danny Elfman’s brilliant score of The Nightmare Before Christmas and happily recreating Oogie Boogie’s song ‘Live’… except doing it again!”

It’s unclear whether The Nightmare Before Christmas Live in Concert will become an annual Hollywood tradition. According to a report by the L.A. Times, when producer Laura Engel was asked last year if the show would become a yearly tradition, she responded they would take it one year at a time. With the overwhelming response and excitement surrounding the event, it seems that many would love to see an annual Hollywood Halloween event embracing the characters created by Tim Burton. The excitement has spread far beyond Los Angeles and appeals to Burton’s fans worldwide.

[Featured Image by Touchstone Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images]

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