UNIVERSITY PARK—“Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert” is an immersive audio and visual experience for fans of the independent, island non-princess. The live event will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Eisenhower Auditorium.
Tickets are $39 for an adult, $14 for a University Park student, and $22 for a person 18 and younger and are available for purchase online. Avoid the $4 fee by purchasing over the phone at 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium.
Visit “Moana Live-to-Concert Film” online for more information and to purchase tickets.
Experience a vast, ‘grand-sounding adventure’
Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide presentation is a celebration of the music and songs from the 2016 award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic.
Inspired by Polynesian mythology, “Moana” tells the story of the strong-willed daughter of a village chief tasked with returning a mystical relic to a legendary goddess. When a blight strikes her island, Moana sets sail in search of demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) in the hope of returning the relic to Te Fiti and saving her community.
The event features a full-length screening of the beloved movie, accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists.
The film score features a mix of live performances and recordings of songs, including “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” by Lin Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton”); as well as “Shiny” sung by Jemaine Clement (“What We Do in the Shadows”); among others.
A nine-piece band will perform an expansive score fit for an epic film adventure.
“Percussion is a major part of this score,” said Brandon Fells, director of concert program development and operations for Disney Concerts. He cited the variety of traditional instruments used in the score—from bamboo flutes to conch shells.
Fells said the band’s live performance is augmented with tracks in the movie, “so that way, people can still experience this vast, grand-sounding adventure that it is, and not something that is less than that.”
Grant Mu?gututi?a, a cultural consultant on the project and a linguistic professor at Cal State University-San Marcos, said being able to assemble a group of Polynesian artists has been an “awesome opportunity” for representation.
He said the musicians have perfected their craft and are proud to share their varied musical traditions and expertise.
“ ‘Moana’ is representative of the Pacific, specifically Polynesia, which is the eastern part of that region,” he said.
“And while we do have a common ancestry, it is quite a diverse region as well. … That, I feel, is really well reflected in the band that we have performing. So them coming together and sort of organically kind of representing their respective cultures and traditions is going to be a beautiful thing on stage.”
Watch “Making the Music of Moana,” featuring interviews with songwriters and composers Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i.
PRE-SHOW ACTIVITY
Ticketholders are invited to an Arts Engagement Family Program pre-show activity from 5:30–6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the Eisenhower Auditorium Conference Room. The activity event is free to all “Moana” ticketholders and will include origami boat-making for a wayfinding map, decorating paddles and coloring pages. Penn State softball athlete Michela Barbanente will read books provided by Schlow Centre Region Library.
ACCESSIBILITY
Captions
The screening of “Moana” will be presented with English captions.
Discounts
Visit Discounts for information on available ticket-discount programs, including the Arts Engagement Family Program, a free ticket program for Penn State students and a ticket discount for Penn State employees.
Sensory accommodations
The center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can visit our Quiet Room on the Lounge Level, and they can temporarily sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.
Learn more about all of the Center’s available Accessibility services.
