RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, complete film (including dialogue) with live orchestra performing the entire score.
A Bravo! Vail tradition takes on a new adventure! As dusk descends, follow Indiana Jones on his famous quest while the Fabulous Philadelphians perform John Williams’ epic score live. Grab a blanket and some popcorn and bring the whole family for this unique Bravo! experience.
$44 - $119
$5 - $28
Wednesday
6:00 PM
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
DAVID NEWMAN, CONDUCTOR
A Bravo! Vail tradition takes on a new adventure! As dusk descends, follow Indiana Jones on his famous quest while the Fabulous Philadelphians perform.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: FILM WITH LIVE SCORE
An evening featuring the complete film with live orchestra performing the entire score.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: FILM WITH LIVE SCORE
Before the multiplex, the 3-D, the gee-wiz computer graphics, the immersive sound system, the $10 popcorn, there were the serials, twelve or fifteen twenty-minute episodes of a continuing story produced with more bravado than sophistication that left Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, Captain Marvel, Zorro or whatever buff hero was featured in the series in impossible-to-escape peril at the end of each segment. The heyday of the movie serials was from the mid-1930s to the 1950s, when 25¢ got you into a Saturday matinee showing two serial episodes, two B features (cowboys were always big), and a bunch of cartoons; another 25¢ was enough to keep your teeth stuck together with Ju-Ju-Bees for the entire afternoon.
George Lucas (born in 1944 in Modesto, California) and Steven Spielberg (1946, Cincinnati Ohio) were enthralled with the Saturday serials as kids. Following the success of his Best Picture-nominated American Graffiti (1973), set in Modesto in 1962, Lucas wanted to make the Flash Gordon Saturday serial into a feature film but could not obtain the rights to the character … so he wrote and directed Star Wars (1977) instead. For the score, Spielberg recommended that Lucas hire John Williams, who had won an Oscar for his soundtrack for Spielberg’s Jaws in 1975. Star Wars was a phenomenon, winning six Academy Awards (including another one for Williams) and became the highest-grossing film of all time until it was overtaken by Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1983.
Soon after Star Wars was released, Lucas escaped the furor over the film by heading to Hawaii, where Spielberg was also taking a break from filming Close Encounters of the Third Kind. While they were collaborating on building a sand castle on the beach in front of the Mauna Kea Hotel, Spielberg confessed a secret desire to direct a James Bond film. Lucas told him he had developed a character “better than James Bond” in 1973, when he had been stopped from making his Flash Gordon film, a story then titled “The Adventures of Indiana Smith,” about a tweedy college-archeologist-turned-bullwhip-toting action hero. The principal plot device was the recovery of the lost Ark of the Covenant, the Biblical gold-covered wooden chest containing the original tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The film was set in 1936 and the Nazis, then consolidating their power in Germany and believing the Ark would make their armies invincible, would be his adversaries. Spielberg loved the idea, calling it “a James Bond film without the hardware,” but he told Lucas that the surname “Smith” was not right for the character. Lucas replied, “OK. What about ‘Jones’?”
By January 1978, Spielberg had agreed to direct Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lucas continued to develop the story with screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (who was then also working on the Star Wars’ sequel The Empire Strikes Back), and Frank Marshall was hired to produce. With its roots in the beloved 1930s serials, the plot of the film took Indy (the perfectly cast Harrison Ford, who had been impressive as Han Solo in Star Wars) on a thrill-ride that included narrow escapes (from snake pits, hurtling boulders, poison darts, collapsing walls, yawning chasms, exploding airplanes, ghoulish spirits, and roaring fires), nasty villains (Nazis, of course, but also a traitorous Frenchman and a spying spider monkey) and a feisty but regularly kidnapped damsel (played by Karen Allen).
Filming began in La Rochelle, France in June 1980 (the scenes with the Nazi submarine) and continued at London’s Elstree Studios (including the infamous snake-pit sequence, in which many of the “snakes” were harmless legless lizards from the Balkans called Scheltopusiks — only the cobras were poisonous; Indy was separated from the one threatening him by a glass panel), the Hawaiian island of Kauai (the tropical scenes), and Tunisia (the desert portions), where the whole crew (except Spielberg, who survived that month of filming eating canned SpaghettiOs) was hit with dysentery from the heat and tainted food. (The filming of the unforgettable scene when Indy and his bullwhip are pitted against stuntman Terry Richards’ sword had to be cut short because Ford was suffering badly from the malady that day. “Let’s just shoot the sucker,” he pleaded with Spielberg.) All the visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic, the ground-breaking company Lucas had established to support the cinematic wizardry of Star Wars.
Raiders of the Lost Ark, released on June 12, 1981, was an immediate hit with both the public and with critics. Vincent Canby in The New York Times called it “one of the most deliriously funny, ingenious and stylish American adventure movies ever made.” Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Sun Times critic Roger Ebert praised its “sense of humor and the droll style of its characters.... We find ourselves laughing in surprise, in relief, in incredulity at the movie’s ability to pile one incident upon another in an inexhaustible series of inventions.” Raiders was the year’s top-grossing film and was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Score; it won for Art Direction, Film Editing, and Sound and Visual Effects with a Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing. The film’s success led to three sequels — Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008); another is scheduled for possible release in 2020. Raiders of the Lost Ark was entered into the Library of Congress‘ National Film Registry in 1999 as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”
David Newman is one of today’s most accomplished creators of music for film, scoring more than 110 films in his 30-year career.
David Newman is one of today’s most accomplished creators of music for film. In his 30-year career he has scored more than 110 films, ranging from War of the Roses, Matilda, Bowfinger, and Heathers to the more recent Five Flights Up and Serenity. His music has brought to life the critically acclaimed dramas Brokedown Palace and Hoffa; top-grossing comedies Galaxy Quest and Throw Mama from the Train; and award-winning animated films Ice Age, The Brave Little Toaster, and Anastasia. Mr. Newman holds an Academy Award nomination for his score to Anastasia, and was the first composer to have a piece — 1001Nights — performed in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s FILMHARMONIC series, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Mr. Newman is also a highly sought-after conductor and appears with leading orchestras throughout the world, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra. In Fall 2017, Mr. Newman conducted the world premiere of John Williams' epic film series, Star Wars - Episodes IV, V, VI and VII, with the New York Philharmonic.
The son of nine-time Oscar-winning composer Alfred Newman and an active composer for the concert hall, David Newman has composed works that have been performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, and Long Beach Symphony, as well as at the Ravinia Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and Chicago’s Grant Park Music Festival. He also composed a violin-orchestra suite for Sarah Chang based on the songs from the Broadway hit West Side Story. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of musicians, Newman serves on the Board of the American Youth Symphony, a 51-year-old pre-professional orchestra based in Los Angeles, and in 2010 he served on the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival in the Film Scoring Program.
Newman is married to wife Krystyna, and is the father of two girls, Diana and stepdaughter Brianne.
Photo: Alan Weisman
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DONOR INFORMATION
Where are the orchestra concert performances held?
Bravo! Vail orchestral concerts take place at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (GRFA) located at 530 S. Frontage Rd E Vail, CO 81657
What time do performances begin?
Concerts start promptly at 6:00PM (except for the movie screening which starts at 7:30PM). The GRFA lobby opens 90 minutes prior and gates open 60 minutes prior to performances. Give yourself plenty of time to park and get into the venue. Latecomers will be escorted by ushers at an appropriate interval.
Where do I park?
FREE concert parking is available at the Vail Parking Structure (241 South Frontage Road East, Vail) and the Lionshead Parking Structure (395 South Frontage Road West, Vail). A Town of Vail Special Event express bus provides continuous service from both parking structures to the GRFA before and after concerts. Limited $10 parking is available at Ford Park by the Tennis Center (500 South Frontage Rd). Additional $10 parking is available at the Vail Athletic/Soccer Field lot.
WALKING DIRECTIONS FROM THE VAIL VILLAGE PARKING STRUCTURE:
Via Gore Creek Trail: 15-minute scenic walk
1. Exit the parking garage by following the Pedestrian Exit signs towards “Vail Village” / “Golden Peak”
2. Turn left out of the parking garage onto East Meadow Drive and head east
3. At the end of the road turn right on Vail Valley Drive and cross the road
4. Turn left on the walking path before the bridge, following the street signs towards "Ford Park"
5. Continuing east, follow the walking path along Gore Creek until reaching the GRFA
Via Frontage Road: 15-minute walk
1. From the top level of the parking garage, exit onto the South Frontage Road
2. Turn right and follow the sidewalk east along the south side of the frontage road
3. Cross East Meadow Drive and continue east along the sidewalk
4. Turn right after passing The Wren at Vail on the right
5. Continue down the path down to the GRFA
How long do concerts last?
Concerts generally last 2 hours including intermission. Please call the box office 877.812.5700 for exact running times.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets, passes, and gift certificates may be ordered in the following ways:
1. Online: bravovail.org
2. By phone: 877.812.5700
3. In person: Bravo! Vail 2271 N Frontage Rd W Suite C, Vail, CO 81657
Bravo! Vail accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards, cash, and checks. There is a $2 fee per ticket. Tickets are delivered by mail or email,or may be picked up at the Box Office.
What are the Box Office hours?
Bravo! Vail Box Office hours are Monday-Friday from 9AM to 4PM. During the Festival, hours include Saturday & Sunday from 10AM to 4PM. The Bravo! Vail Box Office can be reached at 877.812.5700.
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater box office is open from 11AM until concert start time (5PM on days with no concerts) during the Festival. Tickets for upcoming performances may be purchased on-site at the GRFA before concerts and during intermission.
Where is the Will Call window?
Will Call tickets may be picked up at the Box Office located to the right of the main GRFA entrance lobby. The Box Office is open 11AM to concert start time during the Festival.
Does Bravo! Vail offer group pricing?
Discounts for groups of 15 or more are available for select concerts. Please call 970.827.4316 for more information.
What if I buy tickets and cannot attend?
Tickets are non-refundable. You may exchange your tickets ($7 fee per ticket) by calling the Box Office at 877.812.5700 up to 2 days before the concert. You may release your tickets or leave them for a friend at Will Call by calling the Box Office.
What if I misplace or forget to bring my tickets?
There is no charge to reprint tickets. Please call 877.812.5700 before 3PM on the day of the performance or allow extra time to request new tickets at the Will Call window.
Where are seating options for people with disabilities?
Per the American Disability Act (ADA), the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is accessible to individuals with disabilities. ADA seating is available in Section 1 Row L and Section 4 Row O in all reserved seating zones and prices (Premium Aisle, Premium, Reserved, and Saver). A limited number of ADA General Admission Lawn seats are available for sale behind Section 2. You must have a designated ADA lawn seat ticket to sit in this area. By purchasing an ADA seat, you are stating that you require an ADA seat. If purchased fraudulently, you may be subject to relocation. If you need assistance purchasing ADA seating, please call the Box Office at 877.812.5700.
What if it rains?
Concerts take place rain or shine. The GRFA is an open-air venue. Refunds are not given due to weather unless a concert is canceled in its entirety with no performance rescheduled.
What should I wear?
There is no dress code for concerts. Please be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures.
What should I bring to the concert?
If you will be on the lawn, a blanket, sunglasses, and a hat are recommended. If rain is predicted, please bring appropriate rain gear. Food, commercially sealed non-alcoholic beverages, low-profile lawn chairs, and umbrellas are permitted at concerts. All backpacks, bags, purses, picnic baskets, and coolers will be checked upon entry.
The following articles are not allowed at the venue: cameras, audio/video recording devices, standard-height lawn chairs, baby strollers, alcoholic beverages, firearms, pets, smoking, skateboards, bicycles, scooters, and skates.
What food and beverages are available for purchase at the GRFA?
Concessions are offered for purchase inside the venue. Menu items include snacks, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. A full bar is also available. All major credit cards and cash are accepted for payment. If you have a pavilion seat, please eat prior to the concert or at intermission.
Are lawn chairs available to rent?
Low-profile lawn chairs are available at the GRFA to rent for $10. You may also rent a lawn chair with your lawn ticket purchase online or by calling the Bravo! Vail Box Office at 877.812.5700. To reserve a lawn chair in advance, please email ticketing@bravovail.org
What are some general rules of concert etiquette?
Please allow time for parking and seating. Concert attendees must silence all mobile devices prior to performances to not disrupt musicians and other patrons. Please limit conversations and other noisy activities during the performance. In the pavilion seating, we recommend eating prior to the concert or at intermission. Parental supervision is required for all children attending Bravo! Vail concerts.
What else should I know?
Vail’s high elevation requires adequate hydration and sun protection. Visitors from lower elevations may experience altitude sickness.
What if I lose something at the concert?
Check with the GRFA box office for lost items at intermission or call 970.748.8497.
What if I still have questions?