The Hollywood Bowl transformed into Halloween Town once again for Disney and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert, a now-beloved Los Angeles Halloween tradition celebrating its 10th anniversary. Conducted by the incomparable John Mauceri and featuring a full orchestra and choir, the evening brought the magic and mischief of Tim Burton’s world vividly to life with the help of stunning projections and an all-star cast led by Danny Elfman.
Before the show even began, the Bowl was buzzing with spooky excitement. Fans arrived dressed in elaborate Tim Burton-inspired costumes for the pre-show contest, while trick-or-treating stations and photo ops turned the venue into a playful Halloween carnival. It felt like half the audience had stepped straight out of the movie, a testament to just how deeply The Nightmare Before Christmas continues to resonate.
Once the orchestra struck up the opening notes, the energy shifted from festive to electric. Danny Elfman, ever the charismatic showman, took the stage as Jack Skellington, performing with a mix of theatricality and emotional intensity that only he could deliver. His voice sounded as strong and mischievous as ever, perfectly matched by the lush live score that filled every corner of the Bowl.
Janelle Monáe’s turn as Sally was one of the night’s highlights. Her rendition of “Sally’s Song” was tender and haunting, capturing the character’s yearning while infusing the classic tune with her own soulful touch. Keith David brought the house down as Oogie Boogie, channeling pure show-stopping charisma for his big number, complete with jazzy swagger and booming vocals that had the crowd roaring. Riki Lindhome and John Stamos rounded out the ensemble as Shock and Lock, adding a dose of fun and camp to the mix. The cast also included actress Laura Prepon (Orange is the New Black, That 70’s Show).
Midway through the night, violinist Sandy Cameron delivered a virtuosic interlude that left the audience stunned. Dressed in dramatic gothic flair, her performance was both technically dazzling and theatrically over the top, the perfect intermission for such a spectacle.
The show’s emotional peak came when Elfman paid tribute to Ken Page, the original Oogie Boogie voice actor, by performing “Oogie Boogie’s Song” himself. Dressed in a sharp white-striped zoot suit, he nailed every note, and the crowd rewarded him with a standing ovation. It was a touching nod to the film’s legacy and the generations who’ve kept its spirit alive.
But the night didn’t end there. In true Hollywood Bowl fashion, Elfman returned to the stage for an encore that sent the crowd into overdrive, joining forces with his legendary band Oingo Boingo for “Dead Man’s Party” and “No One Lives Forever.” The Bowl erupted into a full-blown Halloween dance party, proving that even after three decades, Danny Elfman still knows how to throw one hell of a celebration.
ALL PHOTOS, CREDIT PRESS PASS LA, ED BATRES
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