Blade Runner Live? Don’t worry, it’s not a musical adaptation of Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic. It’s the inaugural film in The Auditorium Theater’s new series, Auditorium Philms, in which five films will be live scored by the Chicago Philharmonic. Performances are scheduled throughout the year and include a special 35th anniversary presentation of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns as well as Francis Ford Copolla’s 1992 version of Dracula.

Likely inspired by the success of Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s live scored film events, The Auditorium’s new series offers a unique way to enjoy classical music performance. In many ways, Hollywood film composers have kept the spirit of classical music alive, or at the very least made orchestra music more accessible to the masses. And who doesn’t sometimes put on their favorite film scores to get some work done?

The Chicago Philharmonic brings a small troupe of performers to the grand stage of The Auditorium, but however small they’re just as mighty. The score leaps off the stage and into the highest rafters of the enormous, gilded hall. Huge shows of percussion give an audience the feeling that the score is as big of a character as either Harrison Ford or Daryl Hannah. A musician also doubles as the vocalist, bringing a three dimensional element to the action-packed score.

Auditorium Philms creates a new hybrid movie theater-going experience. They’re blending the traditional theatre model (including a short intermission) with the “Imax” type rollercoaster ride audiences seem to clamor for with every passing superhero movie. The pandemic further cemented people’s love for not just film, but for also the sense of community that certain films create. Think ComicCon.  Blade Runner, Batman, etc there’s a fan-base that loves to cosplay and generally get to know each other. This series will provide a perfect place for film, theatre and music lovers to “nerd out” among like-minded folks.

Auditorium Philms run throughout 2024, check out the schedule here.