Video Game Redux
Hail the Tri-force: The Legend of Zelda gets the symphonic treatment at The LongCenter
Friday night at The Long Center is like every reclusive teenage fanboy's dreams come true.
First, playing in the intimate Rollins Studio Theater until Sunday, Charlie Ross is performing his epic One-Man Lord of the Rings Trilogy. In it, Ross plays every one of the main characters in a single, condensed version of all three movies.
Ross is the same amazing talent that brought us the One-Man Star Wars in the past, so you know his voice talents and indefatigable spirit will amaze the ork out of you.
Next door in the expansive Dell Hall that same night, the familiar soundtrack of The Legend of Zelda will be brought to new life in a touring symphonic interpretation by Jason Michael Paul Productions called Symphony of the Goddesses.
The wildly popular series of Nintendo video games about a young elf named Link constantly rescuing his princess from the clutches of evil has long been praised for its impressive score. Just as the animation improved with the move from Nintendo to Wii and beyond, the music has progressed to new levels as well.
Thanks to composer Chad Seiter — who is best known as the music director for movies like the recent Star Trek and the television show LOST — you can now hear the music from the entire series in a brand-new context that elevates the video game to high art.
Heroic Nintendo sound designer Koji Kendo's original score is now brought to magnificent life by a large symphonic orchestra conducted by world-class Irish conductor Eimear Noone. We really can't emphasize how impressive this musical Tri-force really is for a project that might be less than stellar otherwise.
As the symphony tackles the evolving Zelda soundtracks, audience members are treated to two-story digital projections tracking Link through his battles and trials across each games' increasingly more challenging levels. (If you've ever wanted to just sit back and watch someone more experienced than yourself dominating at the video games, this is your chance.)
To sweeten the deal, you should also know that audience members are encouraged to dress up in their best Zelda-themed attire. In recent shows in Dallas and Los Angeles, a good deal of the audiences came dressed in green pointy hats and emblazoned tunics.
Even if you are not a hardcore gamer or even familiar with the Legend of Zelda mythology, it should be emphasized for Long Center season ticket holders that you will not be disappointed by the quality of the orchestrations or the multimedia light show. This is a full-scale symphonic effort and the score is unbeatable even outside of the video game world.
But do stay diligent. You don't want to get jabbed in the side by an errant short sword.
