They went to outer space, but instead of finding a shooting star, they found… a circus tent. That’s how the world welcomed  Killer Klowns From Outer Space, a 1988 cult classic that is getting high-class treatment for its 30th anniversary, with a live-to-picture performance of composer John Massari’s score by the Hollywood Chamber Orchestra.

The film, about an evil clan of cosmic carnies who invade a small town on Earth, was produced by TransWorld Entertainment in the heyday of homevideo’s B-movie glory. The special effects are — as you may have guessed! — cheesy, but in an aesthetically pleasing way: cars are slimed with cotton candy, an ice cream truck is becomes an action vehicle, a klown uses shadow puppets to shrink a crowd into popcorn-sized nuggets and revels in his new snack.

The screening, May 19 in Los Angeles, will feature a pre-show Q&A with the the Chiodo brothers, the film’s writer-creators. Stephen Chiodo also directed, while Charles was art director, and Edward the producer. Cast members Grant Cramer (Mike Tobacco) and Suzanne Snyder (Debbie Stone) will also be on hand to reminisce, along Masari and members of The Dickies pop band, who performed the film’s theme song.

Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, The Dickies are billed as having “a comical style that has been called ‘bubble gum punk.’” The group recorded a new version of the Killer Klowns song that is included on the Varese Sarabande “reimagined” Killer Klowns soundtrack, available May 25.  This “labor of love” for Massari, involved spending two years working with the orchestra and raising funds on Indiegogo to fulfull his Klown-crazed symphonic dream.

To fulfill his musical ambitions Massari recruited composer Bear McCreary (Walking Dead, Outlander) who lent a hand — and his collection of rare instruments.  Massari drew on some offbeat instruments of his own. “I got to use every bit of my synthesizer gear and instruments I haven’t been able to use on any film but this one,” he shares on a behind-the-scenes documentary clip from the orchestra sessions.

The New York-born multi-instrumentalist is not without fans. His IMDB bio describes him as “a cherished American film composer” and expresses high praise for his 2016 project Jesus VR: The Story of Christ. He was recently reported to have been at work, with the Chiodo brothers, on The Return of the Killer Klowns From Outer Space in 3D for Twentieth Century Fox.

‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ live to picture – performed by The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra, conducted by composer John Massari

Date: Saturday, May 19th

Location: The Montalbán Theatre, 1615 Vine Street, Los Angeles CA 90028, click for tickets.

Parking: Paid public parking is available one door north of The Montalbán

6 p.m. Kosmic Klown circus celebration, featuring stilt walkers, balloon folding artist Buster Balloon Cadwell, contortionist Bonnie Morgan, plus fortune tellers, strong men and women, magicians, body art, fan arts and crafts, and of course the Killer Klowns.

7 p.m. Pre-show Q&Afeaturing Stephen Chiodo (writer/director), Charles Chiodo (writer/art director), Edward Chiodo (writer/producer), Grant Cramer (Mike Tobacco), Suzanne Snyder (Debbie Stone), members of The Dickies, and composer John Massari, moderated by Jim Branscome of Cinematic Void.

8 p.m. Live to picture screening of ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ performed by The Hollywood Chamber Orchestra and conducted by the film’s composer, John Massari. LA’s very own original punk rockers, The Dickies, will perform their enduring classic Killer Klowns From Outer Space theme song.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/560201541024767/