Blade Runner Live? Don’t worry, it’s not a musical adaptation of Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic. It’s the inaugural film in The Auditorium Theater’s new series, Auditorium Philms, in which five films will be live scored by the Chicago Philharmonic. Performances are scheduled throughout the year and include a special 35th anniversary presentation of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns as well as Francis Ford Copolla’s 1992 version of Dracula.
Likely inspired by the success of Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s live scored film events, The Auditorium’s new series offers a unique way to enjoy classical music performance. In many ways, Hollywood film composers have kept the spirit of classical music alive, or at the very least made orchestra music more accessible to the masses. And who doesn’t sometimes put on their favorite film scores to get some work done?
The Chicago Philharmonic brings a small troupe of performers to the grand stage of The Auditorium, but however small they’re just as mighty. The score leaps off the stage and into the highest rafters of the enormous, gilded hall. Huge shows of percussion give an audience the feeling that the score is as big of a character as either Harrison Ford or Daryl Hannah. A musician also doubles as the vocalist, bringing a three dimensional element to the action-packed score.
Auditorium Philms creates a new hybrid movie theater-going experience. They’re blending the traditional theatre model (including a short intermission) with the “Imax” type rollercoaster ride audiences seem to clamor for with every passing superhero movie. The pandemic further cemented people’s love for not just film, but for also the sense of community that certain films create. Think ComicCon. Blade Runner, Batman, etc there’s a fan-base that loves to cosplay and generally get to know each other. This series will provide a perfect place for film, theatre and music lovers to “nerd out” among like-minded folks.
Auditorium Philms run throughout 2024, check out the schedule here.
What the hell is pantomime anyway? Will I be reviewing a game of Charades? Google to the rescue! But I…
The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its first production of the 2025 season, The Complete…
Chicago theatres will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance, and comedy offerings this holiday season. In support,…
Steep Theatre will kick off the new year with the Chicago Premiere of David Harrower's A Slow Air, directed by Steep…
The Driehaus Museum and the African American Museum of Performing Arts (AAMPA) announce the casting for A Nativity Tribute, an adaptation of Langston Hughes' gospel…
Overall Citadel Theatre’s ‘Dames at Sea’ has a smashingly great cast of singers and dancers, perfect for a musical comedy…
When Francesca Zambello, director of The Glimmerglass Festival, commissioned an opera about race in America, the country was reeling from…
Even 40 years later, the AIDS crisis continues to shape American life. Long before Hollywood brought AIDS stories to the…
I thoroughly enjoyed Drury Lane's enchanting stage production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid from start to finish. While few are…
Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 38th Annual Young Playwrights Festival, January 5 - 26,…
Get ready to dive into the holiday spirit like never before on December 7th and 8th with A Christmas Cabaret…
“Every Brilliant Thing,” places unusual demands on its lead character, Narrator. Jessie Fisher delivers a carefully calibrated performance from a…
Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2024–2025 season with Louisa May Alcott's…
Music Theater Works is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the final production of its 2024 season, Legally Blonde:…
After pausing its operations last year to reorganize and create a new business model, Chicago's Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company, in association…
BrightSide Theatre has announced that it will perform the long-running hit Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE in a concert presentation…
Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to open its 2024/25 Season with the 25th anniversary edition of Artistic Director David Cerda's* holiday classic Rudolph…
Sometimes history has a way of repeating itself and it’s not always for the better. Try as we might to…
Throughout our busy lives we often seek out the new. It is easy to see the allure. Beginnings offer a…
I've always had a deep fondness for the two timeless films Holiday Inn and White Christmas. These movies feature outstanding…
Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre is pleased to announce Jane Lynch's A SWINGIN' LITTLE CHRISTMAS has added a sixth and final performance to its nearly sold-out…
The Joffrey Ballet's critically acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker by two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, returns to the Lyric Opera House, 20 North…
Lifeline Theatre brings their first MainStage production of the 2024-25 season to the stage with Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol. Tom Mula's holiday tale…
Individual tickets for SHUCKED, the Tony Award® winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls "flat out hilarious," will go on sale on…
Invictus Theatre Company’s latest production of The Tragedy of Macbeth, adapted and directed by Sarafina Vecchio, delivers a potent, intense…
Ngozi Anyanwu’s Leroy and Lucy, in its electrifying world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre, takes the legendary tale of Robert Johnson’s…
I’ve delighted in Babes with Blades since they began in 1997, and they are never more delightful than when slashing…
Chicago Tap Allstars, a collective of Tap dance artists and organizations brought together by M.A.D.D. Rhythms and Chicago Tap Theatre, is proud to…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 49th season with the world premiere of Ngozi…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.