Review: HARRY POTTER IN CONCERT Brings Magic to Audiences at JPAS

This past weekend, Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) in partnership with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), created the most magical and beautiful synergy of cinema and music that I have ever experienced. I'm not even exaggerating! I think I can speak for the rest of the audience as well when I say this the very best way (not only way, because it doesn't happen often enough) to experience the world that author J.K. Rowling created. While Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone played on the big screen, the LPO was dressed in black with their instruments held high as they played the ENTIRE score from the very first twinkle to the end credits. Let me repeat that... we watched Harry Potter WHILE the LPO played the whole score to the movie live right in front of us. It. Was. Incredible.

I've always had a love of music in movies, and have held the opinion that the music makes the movie. Think about watching your favorite film... Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Wonder Woman, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, Indiana Jones, heck... even Titanic... and there being absolutely no music in the background. How weird would that be?! Music drives the mood of the movie. You know what I'm talking about... you can always tell when something big is about to happen by what the music sounds like. I know you've found yourself yelling "don't go in there!" at the screen just like I have. Chances are, you got that "feeling" because of the music... the pace of it... the volume... what instruments are being used. You're so affected by it, and you don't even realize it until it's taken away.

Watch this clip as an example: Jurassic Park without music. Sure, it's still the same scene where our beloved Grant and Ellie are arriving to the island and seeing a living, breathing dinosaur for the very first time... but, can you feel it? Neither can I. The emotion is completely gone. Of course, it's not any less well-acted... it's literally the same scene. But, we realize here that it's the music that elicits these strong emotions from us... even what makes us cry... when we watch these iconic movie scenes.

Now, picture watching your favorite movie not only WITH the music, but with a live orchestra playing the music right in front of you! Elton John once said, "Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours." How right he is! Listening to music... closing your eyes and letting it sweep over, around, and through you... is one of the most therapeutic things in the world, and listening to LIVE music set to your favorite film... watch out! The LPO is changing lives over here!

Shout out to the incredible conductor, John Jesensky, for leading this production. Honestly, I don't even know what to say. It's one thing for a conductor to memorize a score and lead an orchestra for a theatre production because there are so many, many, many, many performances that it becomes second nature. But, having to learn the score so well that you can not only lead your orchestra, but time it PERFECTLY to the movie your audience is watching for only TWO performances is something else. You are in another league, sir, and I tip my proverbial hat to you!

I was just so impressed with this whole thing, and hope that JPAS and the LPO can partner up many more times in the future! If you missed out, make sure to follow JPAS and the LPO on social media, and sign up for their newsletters so you don't miss out on the next one!

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