The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra brought Tinseltown glitz and glamour to the Orpheum stage this weekend with Hollywood Rocks, a carefully curated collection of iconic songs from your favourite movies and TV shows. The orchestra was led by Maestro Stuart Chafetz, with Broadway stars Julie Reiber and Bryce Ryness lending their incredible voices.
From the moment Chafetz set foot on stage, the tone for the evening was set: lighthearted, energetic, and, above all else, fun. “Tonight’s show is guaranteed to bring back memories, put a smile on your face, and, hopefully, create some new memories” he prefaced, encouraging the audience to sing along. “But if you do sing along…” he joked, “try to sing in the right key!”
The vocalists both delivered stellar performances. Ryness’ hip-gyrating during Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds” had the older ladies going wild. But the true star of the show was the VSO itself. With memorable performances by Tildan Webb on keyboard and David Brown on bass, instrumental numbers like the Tommy Overture, and Jesus Christ Superstar and Beatles medleys captivated the audience, showcasing the orchestra’s extraordinary range. The brass section shone during the Tommy Overture, earning thunderous applause.
The medley of Jesus Christ Superstar hits began with its familiar horn intro, featuring classics like “Everything’s Alright” and “King Herod’s Song.” Chafetz concluded the segment by acknowledging the show’s legacy: “1970 brought us this worldwide phenomenon. It became a movie in 1973 and won a Drama Desk Award for ‘Most Promising Composer’… they got that right!”
Chafetz kicked off the second half of the program with crowd favourites. Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” was a highlight, with the crowd enthusiastically joining in the call-and-response chorus. The Beatles medley, arranged by Bruce Healey, transformed classic tunes like “Yesterday,” “Blackbird” and “Let it Be“ into breathtaking orchestral arrangements. Familiar yet novel, these renditions sent chills through the crowd.
Emotional highlights included Reiber’s delivery of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” which brought a quiet depth to the evening, contrasting beautifully with the high-energy numbers. Meanwhile, Ryness was able to get the crowd on their feet during “Somebody to Love” which had every audience member participating in this spirited singalong.
The night ended on a high note with “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease, during which audience members could be seen clapping, dancing, or singing along with a smile. VSO’s guesting Broadway stars offered a good time, but the orchestra delivered musical excellence. The VSO reminded everyone just how versatile a live orchestra can be.
For more on the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra season, visit www.vancouversymphony.ca
