Will Riker of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Star Trek: The Next GenerationI heard about this concert only a couple of weeks ago, and although I didn't know what all would be played during the concert, I felt like the basic premise of sci fi themes couldn't be bad, so I talked to Eric about it and voila! A date was born.
We went to the early service at church, then took the bus into Seattle to avoid traffic and paying way too much money for parking in the city. Then we got to Benaroya Hall about an hour and a half too early, so we chilled inside the lobby with some Starbucks and some treats and enjoyed the Dale Chihuly glass chandeliers.
While waiting for the doors to open, we enjoyed people watching, which turned up one particularly unique specimen, a woman (at least mid-thirties), wearing booty shorts over some fantastic tights with knee high, high heeled boots. Her get up--although I'm sure it was her style--was altogether distracting, and Eric and I had a very difficult time not staring. An elderly couple sat next to us and we didn't interact for awhile, but then just before they got up to leave, the woman leaned over and said something about "that whore over there"--um, what?!--and then said, "Enjoy the show!"
About this time, we drained the last dregs from our mochas and as the doors were open to the auditorium, we headed inside to our seats. Our seats put us right about here:
Oh hello, Mr. Bassoonist! I can just about pick your nose. (We got cheap tickets, but they were still fun seats!)
The overall vibe in the packed music hall was relaxed, but excited. Only Seattle can summon this many enthusiastic geeks, I tell you! :) The program was as follows: Star-Spangled Banner, Star Trek theme (introducing Jonathan Frakes), Adventures on Earth (E.T. Theme), Independence Day Suite, Thriller/Beat It/Thriller (with accompanying zombie dancers!!!), Ghostbusters, Superman Returns Suite, INTERMISSION, Mars ("The Bringer of War") from The Planets, Name that Sci-Fi Theme (included Jaws, Psycho, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Addams Family, The Exorcist, and an R&B rendition of 2001: A Space Odyssey), Battlestar Galactica, Suite from Avatar, and Throne Room and Finale from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. They also performed an encore of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Jonathan Frakes was a great host. He was light-hearted, he shared some genuine stories and emotions about each piece that he introduced, and he had a great attitude about the various pieces introduced. He shared a story about how he was with Christopher Reeve when he got the call from his agent that he was going to be Superman. (How cool!)
The conductor was super charismatic as well, entertained the crowd, and sang the words to the Ghostbusters' theme, cuing the audience to chime in "Ghostbusters!" at the appropriate times. Seriously, how awesome is that? :)
It was such a wonderful day, but we ended up spending a lot of time away from home, so we are both very much wiped out right now.
That sounds like so much fun!!!! :-)
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