by Madelyn Young '25 on November 9, 2023
A&E Staff
Arts & Entertainment
If you’re a fan of both Marvel movies and live music, then the Providence Performing Arts Center is the place to be on Oct. 14! The 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will be screened in the theater, but with a unique twist: the score will be accompanied by a live orchestra.
The Broadway Sinfonietta is an orchestra of talented women based in New York City. Since their conception in 2020, the group has done some amazing work in the musical world. In fact, several of the Sinfonietta musicians were featured in the opening of the 2023 Tony Awards. Currently, they are touring the country, performing the Spiderverse score for over 70 cities.
The conductor for this tour is the talented Emily Marshall, whose credits range from Broadway shows (such as her favorite, Be More Chill) to performing concerts with bands like The Who. Thanks to Caitlyn DiPompo, the Marketing and PR Projects Manager at PPAC, I had the opportunity to interview Marshall and learn more about her work with the Sinfonietta.
From the age of seven, Marshall has been interested in music, a passion that led her to work on a production of Tick, Tick, Boom! in college. “I had no idea what music directing was, but I liked music and I liked the idea of directing, so I said yes,” she recalls. This project not only introduced her to many people in the musical world, but also led her to a career—one that she is extremely passionate about. She explains “I think conducting is such a cool way to express the musical language. One of my favorite things about it is the way you find a way to communicate with the musicians on stage every evening without speaking a word.”
By taking an already iconic movie and accompanying it with a live orchestra, the Sinfonietta has created a powerful and entertaining show. “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse is such a unique concert-going experience, and I think one of my favorite parts about touring with this show is seeing how much the audience has been enjoying [it],” Marshall says.
On the orchestra itself, Marshall is very proud to be leading such a talented group of women. As the Sinfonietta is all-female and majority women of color, they overturn many of the preconceived norms of the world of music. Marshall believes that “it’s very important to show the audiences what a strong group of women can create–and show younger girls out there what they can also do.”
For more information on the Sinfonietta, you can visit their website or follow them on social media. Additionally, PPAC is giving a special discount on tickets to this event for readers of The Cowl (Go to http://ppacri.org/spider-verse and enter the code “COWL”)! You don’t want to miss this spectacular performance!