Photos provided by Kyle Flubacker

There was a point throughout the 2000s when the band edition of Sleeping At Last was a local and national touring fixture, but when it primarily became the vehicle of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan O’Neal, his focus shifted towards the studio, plus a mound of movie and TV soundtracks.

Turns out the homegrown hero was even more prosperous in that regard while also expanding upon an already sizable fan base exponentially online, many of whom regularly post their hopes for a return to the stage.

It finally happened after what felt like forever thanks to some coaxing from the Chicago Philharmonic, starting with a four-song set during the Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary celebration, which featured a full day’s worth of programming in Millennium Park.

Long before officially opening its doors, a considerable number of fans posted up around the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to hear Sleeping At Last’s sound check, while the number multiplied considerably by actual set, followed by thousands who streamed on YouTube.

No matter where one was watching, it was apparent O’Neal picked up precisely where he left off, bolstered by the classical institution, conducted by Kalena Bovell, and its stunning arrangements of mostly tracks from the “Atlas” series.

“Sun” was one such example of their chilling combination and the singer’s emotive, hauntingly hopeful delivery, followed by the romantic and similarly sublime “Turning Page” as he moved to the piano to recall “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” soundtrack selection.

The debut of “Venus” kept transporting onlookers into another epic orbit, though it was a finale of “Saturn” that may have been the most resplendent, starting with a dedication to his late mother/manager and continuing with the grandeur of the many magnificent musicians.

The brief yet beautiful performance didn’t just herald the concert comeback of Sleeping At Last, but previewed what’s to come when O’Neal reconnects with the Chicago Philharmonic for two full evenings at the Harris Theater on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, 2024.

For additional information on Sleeping At Last and the Chicago Philharmonic, visit SleepingAtLast.com and ChicagoPhilharmonic.org.

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