Sony Centre
#INTERVIEW: EVAN MITCHELL ON “CASINO ROYALE IN CONCERT” AT SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
By George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong
For the first time ever in Canada, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts will be the home to CASINO ROYALE IN CONCERT on October 11 and 12, 2018. The audience will be able to experience the James Bond experience accompanied by the power of a full symphony Orchestra performing live and in-sync with the Film. Best known as Daniel Craig’s debut as the heroic and dashing 007, this promises to be an exciting, not-to-be-missed opportunity. I had the great fortune to meet and chat with the Conductor, Evan Mitchell, who comes to the project with an impressive resume and credentials. Not only was he the Musical Director of the Kingston Symphony Association for three years, he also led orchestral collaborations with the Barenaked Ladies, Judy Collins and Pink Martini. Needless to say, my first question was how daunting it was to conduct an Orchestra as the Movie screens and how many times he’s watched CASINO ROYALE.
“You don’t want to know how many times I watched the Movie!”, Mitchell answered with a smile and went on to explain that it is the most time-consuming of the projects he takes-on and it took him a while to realize that he must “lose control” and “let the musicians play themselves”. He added, “The upside is that conducting a pre-established Score is consistent, but the downside is that it is relentless.”. He enjoyed the work and effort it took to ensure everything is in-sync. The more he watched the Movie, the more he saw when and where the live music goes “off-track”.
As to putting his own stamp on the Score, Mitchell explained that Action Movies are harder to work with as there is a constant drive and energy that must be addressed appropriately when compared to the more emotional, quieter sequences and narratives where the Music “can lag second or two behind.”. The many “smash cuts” in CASINO ROYALE made the experience daunting and rewarding. He loved the portions of the Movie that featured actress Eva Greene as the Music was more lyrical and she even had her own theme. “I had a little more room to play”, he explained.
When asked how different this Project was as opposed to his musical collaborations with artists, Mitchell explained, “With Artists like Judy Collins, Pink Martini and the Barenaked Ladies, you are there to support their visions and they are leading the charge. That said, there are adjustments all over the place. With Film, there are no adjustments. The inflexibility is more of a challenge, but also more rewarding.”.
I asked Mitchell what the audience should be expecting from this Concert. He says, “First of all, CASINO ROYALE is a great Film. It’s my favourite Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. They will see an excellent Film with an excellent Score and they will be drawn into the Music. It will heighten all of the action. You will also forget that there is a live Orchestra playing and that is the magic too.”.
I could not end our chat without asking what his favourite Bond movie. We talked about what a huge fan is he of Daniel Craig in all of his Movies and especially how “you can see in his eyes the turmoil he is going through” and how beautifully the relationship between Bond and M (played by Judi Dench) is portrayed. Whereas Mitchell confessed to not seeing all the Bond movies in the Series, he has a soft spot for GOLDENEYE (“It’s Brosnan’s best!”). He added that he believes that “Eva Greene is the best Actress to play a Bond girl, next to Rosamund Pike.”.
Mitchell’s enthusiasm for CASINO ROYALE IN CONCERT was infectious and I personally cannot wait to experience what promises to be an exciting and invigorating night at the theatre.
More on this and how to get tickets here.
#SPOTTED: DAVID TAO “I LOVE YOU LIVE!” TOUR IN TORONTO
Hailing from Arcadia, California, David Tao would find huge success in Asia in his late 20s as a Producer, Singer and Songwriter. Having won various accolades including the Taiwanese likeness of the Grammys, the Golden Melody Awards in which he was awarded Best New Artist, Best Producer, Best Song, Best Album and Best Mandarin Male Artist.
While he has taken a break from the spotlight for quite some time, he brought his I Love You Live! Tour to North America including stops in Las Vegas, Toronto and Vancouver. He played Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts to a full crowd performing his hits spanning the past 20 years ranging from material from his eponymous debut in 1997 to current single Mars Baby. Known best for fusing authentic Rock and R&B into the Mandopop scene, Tao to this day is regarded highly as a sought-after Producer.
Tao lit-up the stage with an uplifting charisma that had fans running to the edge of the stage for Selfies. One couple even got engaged at the Show, with Tao officiating!
We had the pleasure of meeting Tao whom we consider a huge idol, bringing us closer to our heritage growing-up and he was everything we imagined. Down-to-earth, friendly and approachable.
See some Snaps from the Show:
See him perform one of his biggest hits, I Love You (愛,很簡單) in his Encore:
More about Tao on his official Facebook Page here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#FIRSTLOOK: “JURASSIC PARK LIVE IN CONCERT”
Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
There is something truly magical about seeing a movie you adore once again on the big screen. Words almost fail to describe that feeling you get when you experience a live orchestration of that Film’s Score in a concert setting.
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts is giving Jurassic Park the concert treatment and I had the pleasure of going to the first of two nights of this incredible experience. Prior to the presentation, the audience was treated to Behind the Curtain with Richard Crouse and Evan Mitchell, the Conductor for both this and the venue’s popular presentation of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Mitchell talks about the nuts and bolts of doing a live orchestration of a movie. We see them popping-up more and more and the reason why he says, is “I feel like they’re a slam dunk.”. He adds “to have the music frame in frame is a difficult thing to do. We’re not watching the film as we play. It becomes more mechanical for me” and that he “only looks up for key moments”.
The conversation then shifted to John Williams’ Score itself of Jurassic Park and Crouse had some interesting tidbits to share. For example, Williams has said that “he wanted to write music that matched the rhythmic gyrations of the dinosaurs” according to Crouse, while Mitchell states “I believe he captured the character of the music and the dinosaurs very much”.
Now onto the main event itself. There is something surreal hearing Jurassic Park‘s Score play live as the helicopter scene to Isla Nebular unfolds. It sends chills through your body hearing this in-person as it takes place on the big screen. As well, the first appearance of the T-Rex paired with live orchestration is breathtaking, truly adding something new to the experience that you might have missed from just watching the Film in theatres or on television. If you’re a fan of Jurassic Park, this certainly is something you cannot miss.
You have one more chance to see Steven Spielberg’s classic Jurassic Park in Concert at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts tonight. More here.
(Photo credit: Justin Waldman)
#SPOTTED: T.J. MILLER IN TORONTO FOR THE ALTERNATIVE COMEDY TOUR
Funnyman T.J. Miller finally is seeing the fruits of his labour being front and center where he belongs. After cutting his teeth several years on the stand-up circuit, he headlines his own show tomorrow night as part of his Alternative Comedy Tour which hits Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. He appears tonight in Ottawa.
Making the most of his time here, he has had a whirlwind past couple days doing lots of radio and television including CP24 Breakfast, Your Morning, Q, The Morning Show and The Roz and Mocha Show. Miller gathered the energy for a radio appearance before the break of dawn, donning a Remembrance Day poppy, soda and Starbucks in his hand. All the caffeines, please. ✔ Don’t act like you haven’t been there!
The star of She’s Out of My League, Silicon Valley, Deadpool and The Emoji Movie filmed a quick cameo here for GOON 2: LAST OF THE ENFORCERS in the City too last year. While he’s known for his signature humour, Miller actually tells The Roz and Mocha Show that his acting roots are more rooted in Horror. He can be seen next alongside Kristen Stewart in Thriller Underwater.
See our Snap:
Click here for tickets to tomorrow night’s show.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/HBO)
#FirstLook: “Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets™” In Concert
Review by Jonathan Godfrey for Mr. Will Wong
Toronto loves Harry Potter! We have the Lockhart, Curiosa and its Movies in concert at the Sony Centre. Earlier this year the Toronto Symphony Orchestra debuted their duet with Potter. In their return, the orchestra is led by Joshua Gersen of New York Philharmonic fame.Their performance of John Williams’ Score paces perfectly with the Film, and also sheds light on the charms of its instrumental complexities.
Gersen is a great conductor. Not only does he lead Toronto’s finest through the material brilliantly, he also begins it all by encouraging the audience to engage with the Film via cheers and household affection. Affection for the ever triumphant trio, and jeers for all things Syltherin rippled through the crowd. It’s an incredible experience, and not only for fans, but also packed to the rafters with them. You’re bound to see robes, scarves, and t-shirts galore adorned with icons from the wizarding world.
With two more dates left for the Chamber of Secrets, there are many in Toronto yet to attend in their regalia, and cheer for their household as they quest for the cup. If you are attending, there’s also a merch booth with Dobby tees, a well laid out program, and many other magical items… like wands! But if you’ve already got one, bring it. This is something every wizard should come prepared for, and enjoy.
You still have a chance to experience this magic as it runs through Saturday, October 14, 2017. More here.
#FIRSTLOOK: “HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE IN CONCERT”
By Siobhán Rich for Mr. Will Wong
Twenty years ago, the world was introduced to Harry, Ron, Hermoine and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Five years later Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson gave those characters life in the Chris Columbus-directed Movie Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone. On June 27th through 29th, you will have the rare opportunity to see this wonderful Movie on the big screen with an orchestra performing the score live at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
As a devoted Potterhead and proud Slytherin, you can imagine how excited I was to hear that the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions were bringing Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert to Toronto and had engaged the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Women’s Chorus from Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers to perform the score on-stage. Fans will feel chills as the first haunting notes of Hedwig’s Theme fill the Sony Centre and we finally meet baby Harry for the first time.
While searching for my missing letter from Hogwarts, I was lucky enough to catch the TSO rehearsing with conductor Justin Freer and was amazed at true magic created by the live orchestra. Freer’s familiarity with the score was on display as he guided the orchestra and brought John Williams’ Oscar-nominated score to life.
Tickets have sold out for Tuesday night’s performance and limited seats are available for Wednesday but the good news is that Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions just added a THIRD night and great seats are still available at the link below for Thursday. Whether you’re a Potterhead or simply a fan of the TSO, don’t miss your opportunity to attend Harry Potter and Philosopher’s Stone in Concert.
Great news Potterheads who like to plan ahead, The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Attila Glatz Concert Productions will be returning in October with performances of the second movie in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
More on tickets here.
(Photo credit: Siobhán Rich)
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