Lights . . . Camera . . . Music!
Sunday, March 9, 2025-4:30 pm
Federal Way Performing Arts & Events Center
Concert Information
Return to the cinematic experience of a century ago as Federal Way Symphony musicians provide live musical accompaniment to a series of silent films. Works by Laurel & Hardy and Charlie Chaplin will be accompanied by two French short films in this one of a kind concert.
The Films
The Creators
The Musicians
THE FILMS
Big Business (1929)
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy play door-to-door Christmas tree salesmen in California who enter into an escalating feud with a grumpy would-be customer. The tit-for-tat vandalism continues until a police officer steps in and negotiates a truce and the three part ways amiably (or do they?).
Battle of the Century (1927)
Laurel and Hardy again star in this film written and directed by the famed Hal Roach. A boxing match and its fall-out lead to physical comedy tropes featuring banana peels, pies and other hi-jinks and shenanigans.
For generations, reel two of Battle of the Century was lost. In 2014, the missing reel was found among the estate of a collector and the film was restored at UCLA.
The Pawn Shop (1916)
Charlie Chaplin stars as a hapless assistant in a pawnshop where mayhem follows his every move. The owner gives him one last chance “because of his 11 (fictional) children,” and Chaplin saves the day by thwarting a robbery which earns him the goodwill of the owner and the admiration of the owner’s daughter.
The clock scene in The Pawn Shop is one of Chaplin’s most famous sustained solo comedy bits.
THE CREATORS
Laurel (1890-1965) and Hardy (1892-1957)
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were one of the most beloved comedic pairs in film history. They were known for their impeccable timing and slapstick humor: Laurel, the bumbling, well-meaning everyman, often exasperating the pompous Hardy. Their unique chemistry and visual gags made them iconic and their impact on the film industry and the art of comedy is still celebrated today.
Laurel (1890-1965) and Hardy (1892-1957)
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were one of the most beloved comedic pairs in film history. They were known for their impeccable timing and slapstick humor: Laurel, the bumbling, well-meaning everyman, often exasperating the pompous Hardy. Their unique chemistry and visual gags made them iconic and their impact on the film industry and the art of comedy is still celebrated today.
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, known to the world as Charlie, was one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema, renowned for his brilliant blend of physical comedy and emotional depth. Starting in the silent film era, he became a global superstar, creating some of the most memorable films of the 20th century, including The Kid, City Lights, and Modern Times. While most well-known for his work prior to 1950, Chaplin continued working into the 1970s, dying at age 88 in 1977.
Hal Roach (1892-1992)
In addition to his work with Laurel and Hardy, writer, director, and producer Hal Roach was best known for his “Our Gang” (later “Little Rascals”) series. Called the “Midas of Comedy,” his golden touch was most influential in the silent and early sound film eras. His films in the 1940s were distributed by Charlie Chaplin’s United Artists.
Hal Roach (1892-1992)
In addition to his work with Laurel and Hardy, writer, director, and producer Hal Roach was best known for his “Our Gang” (later “Little Rascals”) series. Called the “Midas of Comedy,” his golden touch was most influential in the silent and early sound film eras. His films in the 1940s were distributed by Charlie Chaplin’s United Artists.
The MUSICIANS
Christopher Foerstel
Born in Boise Idaho, violist Christopher Foerstel started playing violin at age 9. During his time at Central Washington University, he picked up the viola when another player was out sick for chamber music class. It was then that he truly found his voice as a musician. While still taking violin lessons, Christopher played viola with the Gestalt string quartet, and was a national finalists in the ASTA chamber music competition After two years of viola study with Don Erhlich in San Francisco, Christopher moved to Seattle to start his musical career. During his time in the Pacific Northwest, Christopher has performed as principal viola with many groups including He has been principal viola with the Bach Fest Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Rock Orchestra.
He premiered the musical Bliss staring Mario Cantone with the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle, as well as many other musicals with the Village Theatre. You can also hear Christopher on multiple Macklemore tracks, as well as the Grammy nominated song “Praying” by Kesha. He even appeared at the American Music Awards, premiering a new song with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to 13 million viewers.
Christopher currently lives in Seattle with his wife and two cats, where he works as a UX researcher by day and musician by night. He performs with many local and traveling artists whenever they need strings, including Il Divo and the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Christopher also is routinely asked to record viola for artists of all musical genres. In his limited free time, Christopher and his wife love to travel and explore.
Steven Morgan
Steven Morgan joined the Federal Way Symphony as principal bassoon in 2015. As an active freelancer he also plays principal bassoon in multiple orchestras in Seattle, Everett and Bellevue. As a soloist Steven performed concertos by Mozart and Vivaldi with the Federal Way Symphony, Everett Philharmonic Orchestra and North Corner Chamber Orchestra. He also teaches privately and is a coach at the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Before moving to the Puget Sound in 2001 Steven was an active freelancer in southern California where he earned degrees from UCLA and the University of Redlands. When not playing bassoon or making reeds, Steven enjoys spending time with his twin sons and wife in Edmonds.
Steven Morgan
Steven Morgan joined the Federal Way Symphony as principal bassoon in 2015. As an active freelancer he also plays principal bassoon in multiple orchestras in Seattle, Everett and Bellevue. As a soloist Steven performed concertos by Mozart and Vivaldi with the Federal Way Symphony, Everett Philharmonic Orchestra and North Corner Chamber Orchestra. He also teaches privately and is a coach at the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Before moving to the Puget Sound in 2001 Steven was an active freelancer in southern California where he earned degrees from UCLA and the University of Redlands. When not playing bassoon or making reeds, Steven enjoys spending time with his twin sons and wife in Edmonds.
Valerie Tung
Valerie Tung has been part of the Federal Way Symphony since 2006. Valerie studied with groundbreaking Norwegian-American violinist Camilla Wicks and with Axel Strauss at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Valerie currently is concertmaster of Bellevue Symphony and Bellevue Opera and can regularly be heard as violinist at Village Theatre’s productions (such as 2024’s productions of “Camelot” and “Legally Blonde”). Valerie plays with Auburn Symphony, community orchestra Eastside Symphony (concertmaster), Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (concertmaster, principal 2nd, and section roles), and Taproot Theatre (“The Spitfire Grill,” “Bright Star”), among many projects over the years.