As we get set to kick off The Lincoln Center’s 2024–25 LC LIVE performing arts season on Friday, October 4 with Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert, we spoke with 26-year-old musical phenom, conductor Shelbie Rassler who masterfully leads a world-class group of musicians in this brand new production.
“This production is perfect to have a live immersive experience with because the energy of the live orchestra brings so much to the action, adventure and spontaneous moments that happen in the film,” boasts Rassler. “It really just brings it all to life. The audience will never feel more like they are in the Spider-verse than during this experience. From the moment you enter the theater, you are completely submerged in the Spider-verse, it’s an incredibly interactive and immersive adventure like nothing audiences have ever experienced before.”
During this production, not only will audiences be able to witness the animated film Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse presented on a huge HD screen at this live concert experience, they’ll also be treated to a range of top-notch musicians and instrumentalists performing live music from the film’s score and soundtrack. The critically acclaimed film grossed over $690M worldwide and became Sony Pictures Animation’s highest-grossing film of all time. Truly ground-breaking, the soundtrack has also been heralded for its unique mix of orchestral and electronic music blended with scratch DJ’ing.
It is here where Rassler quite literally lies, at the heart of this larger-than-life production, as the conductor of the diverse and seasoned orchestra with its traditional and electronic instrumentalists mixed with scratch DJ on turntables to boot. Rassler couldn’t be more excited to be a key part of this live music and movie pairing.
Rassler, at the tender age of 26, is a globally recognized musician whose work as a composer, music director, and producer spans performances and productions worldwide. Her compositions, arrangements and orchestrations have been featured at The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and that other Lincoln Center (you know, that one in New York). Rassler also produced a video that went viral during the pandemic and was featured on The Today Show. Her film scoring and mixed media creations have premiered at on Amazon Prime and various film festivals, as well as in commercials, jingles, and podcasts reaching millions.
With all her vast musical experience, we wondered what she found most challenging in conducting this production. She confided to us that, “Conducting a film score is different from conducting an orchestra in concert. With this film, there are so many moving parts that all need to sync up and align perfectly to be able to reflect what’s happening visually on screen.”
Rassler goes on the say, “There is this level of precision that is needed in terms of timing that definitely makes this a unique challenge. The synchronization of the dialogue, score, sound effects, the DJ and everything—it’s just a lot going on and it makes for a really magical experience when it all aligns perfectly.”
It’s this magical experience that she wants to share with audiences across the country. “I’m most excited to be able to give the experience of live music to people,” says Rassler. “Music guided me through life and growing up it was such a huge part of my life and family. For me, experiencing live music ignited something within me that led me on a path to where I am today.” Lucky for us, her path is leading her right here to Fort Collins where she’ll share her musical talents with audience members old and new.
“Whether it’s young children or even adults, there are so many people who are attending these shows who have never seen a full orchestra live before,” reflects Rassler. “I couldn’t be more honored to be able to bring this orchestra experience to communities that might not have experienced something like this before.”
One thing is for sure, Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert is set to bring music to life in a whole new way for many, and Rassler hopes that it is an experience that will endure. “I would love for this show to become the first of many concert experiences for these audiences,” expresses Rassler. “I hope we inspire a new generation of concertgoers and ignite a passion for live music in young people across the country.”
Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert swings into town on Friday, October 4, 2024. Tickets start at $25 and are available online at LCtix.com or by calling The Lincoln Center Box Office at 970-221-6730.