E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert coming to New Jersey with the NJSO
Tickets on sale now
Fri, June 1, at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank
Sat, June 2, at NJPAC in Newark
Sun, June 3, at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick
NEWARK, NJ—Relive the magic of E.T. The Extra Terrestrial on the big screen accompanied by a magnificent, live performance of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Coming to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on June 1, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on June 2 and State Theatre New Jersey on June 3, tickets are on sale now at njsymphony.org and stnj.org.
Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece is one of the brightest stars in motion picture history. Filled with unparalleled magic and imagination, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial follows the moving story of a lost little alien who befriends a 10-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world, complete with John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to the film projected on a huge HD screen.
TICKETS
Single tickets start at $20 and are available from the NJSO online at njsymphony.org, by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or in person. The NJSO Patron Services office is located at 60 Park Place, 9th floor, in Newark; hours are Monday–Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, and concert Saturdays, 11 am to 5 pm.
Tickets for the June 3 performance are also available from the State Theatre New Jersey online at stnj.org, by phone at 732.246.SHOW (7469) or in person. The State Theatre New Jersey Guest Services office is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick. Hours are Monday—Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified.
TOUR DATES
Performances take place on Friday, June 1, at 8 pm at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank; Saturday, June 2, at 8 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark; and Sunday, June 3, at 3 pm at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick. Constantine Kitsopoulos conducts.
The June 2 concert is generously sponsored by Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. The June 3 performance is presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit njsymphony.org/et.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Available on Blu-ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
FROM THE COMPOSER
Composer John Williams writes: “Steven Spielberg’s film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial has always held a special place in my heart, and I personally think it’s his masterpiece. In looking at it today, it’s as fresh and new as when it was made in 1982. Cars may change, along with hairstyles and clothes … but the performances, particularly by the children and by E.T. himself, are so honest, timeless and true that the film absolutely qualifies to be ranked as a classic.
“What’s particularly special about [these concerts] is that we’ll hear one of our great symphony orchestras, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, performing the entire score live, along with the complete picture, sound effects and dialogue.
“I know I speak for everyone connected with the making of E.T. in saying that we’re greatly honored by this event … and I hope that the audience will find great joy in experiencing this magical film.”
THE ARTISTS
John Williams, composer
In a career spanning more than five decades, John Williams has become one of America’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and for the concert stage, and he remains one of our nation’s most distinguished and contributive musical voices. He has composed the music for more than 100 films, including all eight Star Wars films, the first three Harry Potter films, Superman, Memoirs of a Geisha, Home Alone and The Book Thief. His 45-year artistic partnership with director Steven Spielberg has resulted in many of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and successful films, including Schindler’s List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the Indiana Jones films, Saving Private Ryan, Lincoln, and The Post.
Williams has composed themes for four Olympic Games and received the Olympic Order in 2003. He served as music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra for 14 seasons and remains their laureate conductor. Williams has received five Academy Awards and 51 Oscar nominations, seven British Academy Awards, 24 Grammys, four Golden Globes and five Emmys.
Constantine Kitsopoulos, conductor
Constantine Kitsopoulos is a conductor whose musical experiences comfortably span the worlds of opera, symphony, musical theater and film with live orchestra. The 2017–18 season marks his ninth as music director of the Festival of the Arts BOCA. He was artistic director of the OK Mozart Festival from 2013–15 and spent eight years as music director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra. Kitsopoulos founded Chatham Opera in 2005 and is general director of the New York Grand Opera.
Upcoming highlights include a return to the New York Philharmonic, his debut with the Chicago Symphony and return engagements with the Toronto, Houston, Detroit, San Francisco, New Jersey, Nashville and Dallas symphony orchestras. Kitsopoulos has been music director and conductor of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Broadway and the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical revival featuring Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis. He is co-composer of a new musical theater piece called Temple, based on the life of Temple Grandin.
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.
Music Director Xian Zhang—a “dynamic podium presence” The New York Times has praised for her “technical abilities, musicianship and maturity”—continues her acclaimed leadership of the NJSO. The Orchestra presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and regularly performs at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and bergenPAC in Englewood. Partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestra’s statewide identity.
In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music. Programs include school-time Concerts for Young People; NJSO Youth Orchestras family of student ensembles, currently led by José Luis Domínguez; and El Sistema-inspired NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project). NJSO musicians annually perform original chamber music programs at community events in a variety of settings statewide through the NJSO Community Partners Program.
For more information about the NJSO, visit njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra’s website.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.
STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY
State Theatre New Jersey—creating extraordinary experiences through the power of live performance. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. State Theatre New Jersey’s programs are made possible in part by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations and individuals.
PRESS CONTACT
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Press Representative:
Victoria McCabe, NJSO Senior Manager of Public Relations & Communications | 973.735.1715 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org
State Theatre New Jersey Press Representative:
Kelly Blithe, State Theatre New Jersey Director of Communications | 732.247.7200, ext. 542 | kblithe@STNJ.org
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