New Philharmonic kicks off season with 'Halloween Spooktakular' Oct. 2-3
New Philharmonic kicks off their season with a "Halloween Spooktakular" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the McAninch Arts Center.
Join Maestro Kirk Muspratt as he conjures up witches, sorcerers, and poltergeist with only his baton, and of course with the help of New Philharmonic orchestra - in costume!
Your Halloween musical treats include Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov's "Night on Bald Mountain" and Berlioz "Witches Sabbath" from "Symphonie Fantastique" and the march from "The Damnation of Faust." The fright fest continues with music from some of your favorite Halloween films such as "Dracula," "The Addams Family," "Psycho," and "The Mummy Returns!"
Tickets are $53 or $51 for seniors. Visit atthemac.org/events/halloween-spootakular/ for tickets and more information.
The season continues on Nov. 13-14 with "Dvorák's New World," conducted by Maestro Kirk Muspratt.
Audience favorite David Taylor, the assistant principal violin for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, returns to the MAC stage to perform one of the most technically challenging pieces of the violin repertoire, Sarasate's challenging "Fantasy" on Bizet's opera "Carmen." The music continues with one of the most popular of all symphonies, the "New World," composed in 1893 by immigrant Antonin Dvorák, while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. Dvorák stated that he was influenced by Native American music and Black spirituals evident in the melodies within his new home country. The concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.
For the holidays, New Philharmonic is joining in the production of Salt Creek Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at The MAC. Salt Creek Ballet's enchanting production is everything you hope for with stunning costumes and magical effects. With a jaw-dropping Christmas tree that grows nearly 60 feet tall, 125 exquisite costumes, internationally recognized guest soloists and live music by New Philharmonic, this magical production offers all of the grandeur of the timeless tale you've come to love.
Ring in the New Year with New Philharmonic as they welcome back baritone Ted Allen Pickel, who sang the title role from their production of "The Mikado." The New Year's Eve concerts will be at 1:30, 5 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, at The MAC. Muspratt will lead the orchestra in Viennese classics, music favorites, champagne and more. There will be special Gold Circle table seating for $77, which includes a glass of bubbly, premium seats, and party favors. The concerts will feature waltzes, polkas, arias, light classical and pops.
On Jan. 15-16, enjoy a "A Night at the Movies" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Maestro Muspratt will conduct your favorites from award-winning films: "Gone with the Wind," "Band of Brothers," "Beauty and the Beast," "Midway," "Independence Day," "Jurassic Park," "Seahawk," and more.
The season will wrap up with "West Side Story" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at the MAC. Leonard Bernstein's music and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics capture this contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" that won two Tony Awards and 10 Oscars on the stage and screen. The New Philharmonic and four soloists sing all of your favorites including: "Jet Song," "Something's Coming," "Maria," "Tonight," "America," "Cool," "One Hand, One Heart," "I Feel Pretty," "Somewhere," "Gee, Officer Krupke," and "A Boy Like That."
The McAninch Arts Center is on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. For information on season subscriptions or single-ticket sales, contact the box office at (630) 942-4000 or themac@cod.edu.