Photo by Matthew Imaging
by Linda A. Rapka
The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs under the baton of Homer Simpson (aka Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins). Photo by Matthew Imaging
Springfield descended upon the Hollywood Bowl last month during an unprecedented three-day concert extravaganza celebrating the music of “The Simpsons.”
Preceding the show’s milestone 26th season, “The Simpsons Take the Bowl” premiered Friday, Sept. 12, and continued through the warm summer weekend. Guests filtering into the venue were greeted by “Simpsons” visuals throughout: ribbons of giant pink donuts cascading overhead; a jumbo blowup of Blinky, Springfield’s infamous three-eyed nuclear fish; the Duff Beer blimp (in balloon form) hovering over the amphitheater; and of course, “Simpsons” characters in full costume, greeting and taking pictures with excited guests of all ages.
Skateboard Hall of Famer Tony Hawk with “Simpsons” voiceover artists Yeardley Smith and Nancy Cartwright. Photo by Matthew Imaging
Co-hosted by iconic “Simpsons” voices Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright and Yeardley Smith, the show saw the Bowl at near capacity during the entire run. Featuring music from both the television series and “The Simpsons Movie,” the performances were replete with costumed choreography and delightful set design.
“Music from the television show was expanded from the smaller recording studio orchestra size to a total of 87 musicians performing in the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra,” said personnel manager Brian Miller. “The orchestra played with click track for animated clips projected on the Bowl’s big screen from the television series, as well as new animation done especially for this concert.”
Beverly D’Angelo as “Simpsons” character Lurleen Lumpkin, backed by a chorus line of dancing Kwik-E-Mart hot dogs. Photo by Matthew Imaging
Show creator Matt Groening delivered opening remarks before opening the stage to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, whose more adventurous women musicians sported tall blue Marge Simpson wigs. Leading the orchestra in “The Star-Spangled Banner” was none other than Homer Simpson — who turned out to be a costumed principal conductor Thomas Wilkins.
Appearing on stage throughout the evening were a slew of special guests associated with the series during its long and epic run (which shows no signs of slowing anytime soon). “Weird Al” Yankovic performed a quirky rendition of “The Simpsons” theme song on accordion. Actress/singer Beverly D’Angelo, recalling her stint as Homer Simpson’s almost-love interest, country songstress Lurleen Lumpkin, wore a screaming glittery pink cowgirl outfit singing “Bagged Me a Homer.”
Composer Hans Zimmer dressed as a Stonecutter. Photo by Matthew Imaging
Vocalist Kipp Lennon, who impersonated Michael Jackson on the original sweet and catchy “Happy Birthday Lisa” in the same “Simpsons” episode the actual King of Pop guest-voiced, performed a lovely live version of the now-classic birthday song. Additional guests included monotone comedian Jon Lovitz and skateboard Hall of Famer Tony Hawk.
“Oyven layven!” “Simpsons” voiceover artist Hank Azaria dressed as Professor Frink. Photo by Matthew Imaging
Singing as Apu, Azaria performed a singalong-inspiring version of “Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart” — which, naturally, featured a chorus line of dancing hot dogs. In an unforgettable version of “We Do (The Stonecutters’ Song),” a song about an ancient secret society parodying Freemasons, composer Hans Zimmer led the orchestra in full Stonecutters regalia — complete with robe and ridiculous hat — backed by the spirited Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. Decked out in a veritable rainbow of sparkly vest, the chorus also lent its talents to “Spider-Pig,” featured in the 2007 feature film, and “See My Vest” from a classic Mr. Burns episode.
“Weird Al” Yankovic rocks “The Simpsons” theme on accordion. Photo by Matthew Imaging
Adding to the evening’s many visuals were clips both old and new of “Simpsons” animations projected on the jumbo screens, as well as light displays depicting different scenes upon the clamshell stage. The show even included a few surprises, like Azaria singing “Let It Go” excerpts from Disney’s “Frozen” in the nasally high-pitched voice of Chief Wiggum.
Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien, a former writer for the “The Simpsons” who penned several classic episodes including “Marge vs. the Monorail” in parody of “The Music Man,” bounced onto the stage decked out in a red and white striped suit that elongated his already lanky 6’4” frame. Taking lead vocals on “The Monorail Song,” O’Brien perfectly nailed the tongue-twisting, lightning-fast spoken intro before jumping into song.
Composer Alf Clausen waves to fans from the audience. Photo by Matthew Imaging
In a special moment during the show, Chris Ledesma led the orchestra in a tribute medley to “Simpsons” composer Alf Clausen, who was in the audience. Another highlight was a screening of “The Longest Daycare,” the Oscar-nominated 3D short which follows baby Maggie Simpson as she fights her way through a menacing experience at daycare. Largely free of dialogue, the four-and-a-half minute film accentuated the musical score by Hans Zimmer and James Dooley, with Zimmer performing on piano.
Conan O’Brien and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. Photo by Matthew Imaging
The 1930s New Orleans cabaret-style stage musical act Vaud and the Villains, in which longtime “Simpsons” director David Silverman plays tuba, delivered a fiery performance — literally. Silverman’s tuba was set ablaze while the band played “We Put the Spring in Springfield.”
The Sunday finale marked the end of the 24th season of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, whose highlights included artists Kristin Chenoweth, Gloria Estefan, and the GoGo’s, music from the films of Alfred Hitchcock with picture (David Newman conducting), the Black Movie Experience with Marcus Miller (Vince Mendoza conducting), and a salute to the animated films of DreamWorks, again featuring the orchestra performing film music.
The 2015 Hollywood Bowl Season begins next June, continuing through September.
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra – Fireworks Finale: ‘The Simpsons’ 25th Anniversary
Sept. 12-14, 2014 – Hollywood Bowl
First Violin
Katia Popov, concertmaster
Grace Oh, principal
Yu-Tong Sharp, associate principal
Charlie Bisharat
Rebecca Bunnell
Ron Clark
Christine Frank
Yen-Ping Lai
Natalie Leggett
Barbra Porter
Gil Romero
Shelly Shi
Mari Tsumara
Steven Zander
Second Violin
Robin Olson, principal
Cheryl Normal-Brick, associate principal
Nicole Bush
Mike Ferrill
Pam Gates
Razdan Kuyumjian
Liane Mautner
Carolyn Osborn
Erlinda Romero
Robert Schumitzky
Vivian Wolf
Yelena Yegoryan
Viola
Erik Rynearson, principal
Carrie Holzman-Little, associate principal
Victor deAlmeida
Carole Kleister-Castillo
Stefan Landon Smith
Darrin McCann
Cameron Patrick
Robin Ross
Jody Rubin
Jessica van Velzen
Cello
Dennis Karmazyn, principal
Armen Ksajikian, associate principal
Erin Breene-Schumitzky
Matt Cooker
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith
Julie Jung
Timothy Loo
Stan Sharp
Bass
Tim Barr, principal
Denise Briese, associate principal
Jeff Bandy
Trey Henry (+ electric)
Paul Macres
Barry Newton
Saxophone
Dick Mitchell (alto)
John Yoakum (alto)
Bob Sheppard (tenor)
Greg Huckins (baritone)
Flute
Lawrence Kaplan, principal
Lisa Edelstein
Steve Kujala (piccolo)
Oboe
Lelei Resnick, principal
Leanne Becknell
Cathy del Russo (English horn)
Clarinet
Gary Bovyer, principal
Michael Grego
Ralph Williams (bass)
Bassoon
Rose Corrigan, principal
Elliott Moreau
Allen Savedoff (contra)
French Horn
John Reynolds, principal
Mark Adams
Joseph Meyer, 3rd horn associate
Todd Miller
Trumpet
Wayne Bergeron, co-principal
Jon Lewis, co-principal
Rob Frear
Trombone
Alex Iles, principal
Andy Martin
Craig Gosnell (bass)
Tuba
Doug Tornquist, principal
Timpani
Wade Culbreath, principal
Drums
Brian Miller, principal
Percussion
Ken McGrath, principal
Judy Chilnick
Don Williams
Harp
Marcia Dickstein, principal
Keyboard
Alan Steinberger, principal
Nelson Kole
Guitar
Paul Viapiano, principal
Justin Lees-Smith
Librarian
Steve Biagini
Marty Fenton Frear
Personnel Manager
Brian Miller
Principal Conductor
Thomas Wilkins
Guest Conductors
Chris Ledesma
Hans Zimmer
Chris Dunn
Homer Simpson
