City Lights at Severance Hall

Turns out, Charlie Chaplin was way more than just The Little Tramp. The writer, actor, and director also composed the scores for his silent movies, including his 1931 masterpiece, City Lights. “It’s wonderful music,” says conductor Bill Eddins of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. “It’s very evocative of the times, and it’s always fun to bring it to life.” Eddins will be doing just that tonight at Severance Hall, where City Lights will be shown in its entirety. Providing the live, 88-minute soundtrack: the Cleveland Orchestra, under Eddins baton. This isn’t the first time Eddins has put an orchestra through its paces with a Chaplin program; to date, he’s tackled the scores of four Chaplin films, and has conducted City Lights more times than he can easily recall. “It’s such a wonderful communal experience for the audience,” Eddins says. “It’s a great story, a sweet ending, and just a wonderful piece of entertainment.” The wonders begin at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $41 to $82 (and box seats are $108) by phone or online. Members of the Cleveland Cinematheque save 50 percent at the Severance Hall box office.