'E.T.', 'Jurassic Park' Featured At Composer John Williams' 90th Birthday Celebration

WASHINGTON, DC — The Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra will be holding a three-day festival in June to honor composer John Williams as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

Williams, a five-time Academy Award and 25-time Grammy Award winner, and 2004 Kennedy Center Honoree, will be recognized during three evenings of concerts and events at the Kennedy Center.

“John’s extraordinary music has transcended its original use in film to become part of the standard orchestral repertoire,” NSO Executive Director Gary Ginstling said in a statement Thursday. “The NSO is honored to celebrate an incredible body of work by one of America’s favorite composers.”

On June 22, the National Symphony Orchestra will perform Williams’ complete score of Steven Spielberg’s film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” as the movie is shown. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and will played in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

The 90th Birthday Gala Concert for Williams will take place at 7 p.m. on June 23 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The birthday concert will feature the National Symphony Orchestra with many special guests, including Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Spielberg and Anne-Sophie Mutter.

On June 24, “Jurassic Park” will be shown in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall as the National Symphony Orchestra plays Williams' music for the movie. Audiences are invited to join for a special pre-concert Q&A with John Williams and Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert and Jurassic Park in Concert, which range from $29 to $99, and John Williams: The 90th Birthday Gala Concert, ranging from $99 to $199, are on sale now to Kennedy Center Members and will go on sale to the general public on Jan. 20 at noon.

Tickets are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge at 202-467-4600.