Concert promises to be Spooktacular

10/24/2003

The fun in Toledo Symphony's Halloween Spooktacular concert lies mostly in what goes wrong, not what goes right.

“The idea is that we try to do serious pieces but they never quite work out,” says violinist Merwin Siu, one of the event's planners.

“The whole thing is a little madcap. Most of the jokes are quite funny to somebody. Every one of the pieces is short, designed for the attention span of young children.”

Among the highlights is a “semi-affectionate” salute to Hollywood film scores featuring Berlioz' famous “March to the Scaffold” from Symphonie Fantastique.

Musicians will be in costume. Children in costume are invited to participate in the on-stage costume parade.

Guest artists from the Toledo Ballet will include an undertaker dancing “The Dead Pas de Deux,” to Gounod's “Funeral March of the Marionettes” (that is, the Alfred Hitchcock Presents theme).

There will be a series of reality television skits. Even Michael Jackson is rumored to be in the neighborhood. And of course, there will be music from Harry Potter.

Toledo Symphony presents its Halloween Spooktacular at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. Tickets are $15. Information: 419-246-8000.