Bloomington’s favorite musical mastermind returns for a special 50th anniversary performance as Dennis James Hosts Halloween this fall.

To celebrate 50 years since his silent film performing debut, James will be joined on stage by a full student orchestra presenting the original organ and orchestral music for the 1925 film The Phantom of the Opera, the same film this now world-renowned organist played behind in his first concert on our stage in 1967.

The orchestra will be directed by special guest Hayden Denesha who currently serves as associate conductor to the Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra and as a graduate assistant Conductor for the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. 

The Phantom of the Opera depicts a tragic love story that has stood the test of time and various interpretations, such as the original French novel, two stage musicals, a movie musical, and, of course, this film. The story takes place in a Paris opera house, where a mysterious phantom terrorizes its occupants—a terror that turns into love as he falls for a beautiful chorus girl whose fear for him matches his lust for her.

Join us for this very special family-friendly and Bloomington Halloween tradition!