The Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) and The Chicago Philharmonic continue the second season of the Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multi-media experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert. Next up is The Terminator in concert, the beloved sci-fi film—which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024—will play while an all-electric chamber orchestra performs the high-octane score composed by Brad Fiedel with in-sync dialogue and sound effects from the original film. The one-night-only presentation takes place Friday, June 13 at 7:30 PM at The Auditorium, 50 E Ida B Wells Dr. Tickets are available at auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditorium’s Ticket Service Center at 312.341.2300. Please note, this film is Rated R for violence. Subtitles will be shown during the live performance.
Released in 1984, the US box-office smash-hit, The Terminator sees Arnold Schwarzenegger star as the most uncompromising killing machine ever to threaten the survival of mankind. An indestructible cyborg, a Terminator, is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman whose unborn son will become humanity's only hope in a future war against the machines. This epic sci-fi thriller from director, James Cameron, delivers an arsenal of action and heart-stopping suspense right to the end. Composed by Brad Fiedel, the score to The Terminator was meant to musically depict a “mechanical man and his heartbeat.” The futuristic synthesizer-led soundtrack enhances the on-screen action and features a robust and driving percussion section that includes massive taiko drums and industrial oil barrels—an ensemble as visceral and intense as the film itself.
“We’re looking forward to continuing the momentum of our Auditorium Philms series with The Terminator live in concert,” said The Auditorium CEO Rich Regan. “We have received such positive response from audiences about recent concerts like Black Panther and The Goonies, and we’re already experiencing great momentum for this iconic crowd-pleaser as well. Imagine 2000+ guests reacting to one of the most famous and recognized lines in movie history, ‘I’ll be back!’ It will be a special moment and we invite everyone to join us.”
“An orchestra can look very different depending on the instrumentation called for in the score,” added Chicago Philharmonic Executive Director Terell Johnson. “At Chicago Philharmonic, our versatility is our greatest asset. Audiences will see this beloved film in a whole new light thanks to our expert musicians perfectly executing this percussive and synthesizer forward composition.”
Tickets are also now available for the rest of the 2025 season of The Auditorium Philms Concert Series, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, October 25; and The Holiday, December 20.
About The Chicago Philharmonic Society
Founded by musicians of the Lyric Opera Orchestra in 1989, The Chicago Philharmonic Society is on a mission to reimagine the orchestra concert experience. With nearly 200 musician members and a unique system of musician governance, the organization is one of the most versatile, innovative, and ambitious orchestras in the country.
Chicago Philharmonic proudly collaborates with the greatest artists of our time, in every genre. Past collaborations have included The Joffrey Ballet, English National Ballet, Kishi Bashi, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Joshua Bell, Tank and the Bangas, William Basinski, the American Ballet Theatre, Ryan Speedo Green, and more.
In 2021, Crain’s Business Chicago 40 Under 40 awardee Terell Johnson joined the organization as Executive Director. Since then, the orchestra has become a force for innovation and inclusion in the city’s performing arts ecosystem with a series of increasingly high-profile events. 2024 brought the orchestra’s debut at Lollapalooza Chicago with Icelandic jazz/pop sensation Laufey as the first orchestra to ever perform at the famed festival; a highly anticipated return to Ravinia Festival with a World Premiere tribute to Whitney Houston and a concert with the Violent Femmes; and and the World Premiere tour of An Evening with Sleeping At Last culminating in a sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall. Learn more at www.chicagophil.org.
About The Auditorium
The Auditorium, located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, is an Illinois not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community, and educational programming to all of Chicago and beyond as The Theatre for the People. The organization also is committed to the continued restoration and preservation of this National Historic Landmark that originally opened in 1889.
The Auditorium’s 2024-25 performance season features a dynamic mix of cultural events from ballet to rock and roll and everything in between. For more information on The Auditorium and a complete listing of events at The Auditorium please visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.