Praise be the pop culture gods for giving us second chances! In celebration of "The Nightmare Before Christmas'" 25th (!) anniversary, The Hollywood Bowl hosted three shows with Danny Elfman and other members of the original voice cast joining the Bowl's orchestra to perform all of the film's music live as the film played on jumbo screens. Saturday night, the kids and I were at the Bowl (in the way, way, way, way, way back) to revel in it all.
The Bowl was transformed into Halloweentown for the weekend with games, trick-or-treat stations, photo stations, installations and more featuring beloved characters and scenes from the film. Special projections illuminated the stage throughout the night, interacting with the film and bringing an extra wondrous element. In the audience, people were decked out in homemade "Nightmare" costumes and other Halloween finery, some competing in a costume contest held onstage before the movie started. My family had little foam sheet Zero pins I made to accent our Tim Burton-esque ensembles.
I can't properly estimate how many times I've seen "The Nightmare Before Christmas" over the last 25 years. I remember first seeing it in the theater and going to the revival about five years later. I remember the impact of the music, the story and the little world the figures inhabited. Added to that are all the times I've watched the film with the kids, them memorizing the story and growing so attached to the characters, and how that attachment has spilled out into other parts of our lives, including a growing collection of "Nightmare" pieces that fill a Tim-Burton-themed room, as well as many, many trips to "Sally's House" at Disneyland.
This weekend's viewing had to be the most special thanks to the orchestra, the voice talent (including Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, Paul Reubens and Ken Page), getting to watch it on five giant screens, getting to enjoy it with thousands of other people who love the film as much as I do, getting to enjoy it with the kids.
At the start of the night, I told the kids I'd probably end up crying at some point, the whole experience meaning so much to me. Art gives us so much, it inspires, it comforts, it entertains, it connects. Tim Burton's movies and Danny Elfman's music do all that and so much more. It's hard not to be moved by something so special, particularly when I get to share it with two amazing people. I hope to one day be able to let these two men know how very much I appreciate all they've given us.
It was a long night, though, and I credit the kids for doing their best to make it through the overture, film, intermission, curtain calls and encore. I promised something special would happen if they did, and was so thankful to be proven right. Accompanied by Oingo Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek and No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal, Danny Elfman capped off the night with an orchestra-backed rendition of "Dead Man's Party." What more could we ask for? Just for good measure, Danny Elfman brought Tum Burton out on stage so the two collaborators could enjoy the moment together — the packed house, the costumed audience members, the overwhelming love for the film — and take a quick selfie as the lights came up and it was time for all of us to go home.
