San Diego Symphony

A North American Premiere Production! Bruce Kiesling, conductor San Diego Symphony Orchestra One of the defining rom coms of the genre, Sleepless in Seattle, is set to be performed live in concert this winter by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The perfect treat before Christmas, the show will feature the film’s iconic soundtrack, including some of the most romantic songs of all time, brought to life by a live orchestra. Originally released by TriStar Pictures in 1993, the film will be presented on a huge HD screen, while its beloved soundtrack is performed live to film, allowing audiences to experience the movie’s unforgettable charm in a whole new, heart-stirring way. Directed by the queen of romantic comedies, Nora Ephron, Sleepless in Seattle follows the cross-country, serendipitous journey of two strangers whose lives and hearts intersect in unexpected ways. Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is a recently widowed father whose heartfelt call to a late-night radio show captures the attention of Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a journalist on the opposite side of the country who becomes unexpectedly drawn to him. As Sam tries to rebuild a life with his young son and Annie questions the direction of her own, a series of chance moments and near-misses pull them toward one another, culminating in a hopeful twist on classic romantic destiny. The film’s screenplay was by Nora Ephron and David S. Ward and Jeff Arch, and was produced by Gary Foster. Marc Shaiman served as the composer and producer for Sleepless in Seattle, skillfully blending classic romantic standards such as Jimmy Durante’s "As Time Goes By" and Louis Armstrong’s "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" with his own original pieces. Among them was "A Wink and a Smile," performed by Harry Connick Jr., which earned an Academy Award® nomination for Best Original Song. Shaiman played a key role in shaping the film’s vintage charm, seamlessly merging nostalgic melodies with contemporary arrangements.