When “Avatar: The Last Airbender” first released on Nickelodeon back in 2005, it was a rarity of its kind, according to TIME. Blending traditional Japanese anime with Western culture, it is now acclaimed as one of the most notable animated shows ever and it quickly gained popularity across all generations of anime fans. Now, 16 years after the show’s end, Avatar continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert,” a multi-continent concert tour, is a live-action and concert lover’s dream. Bringing to life the show’s iconic, Emmy award-winning music compositions by Jeremy Zuckerman, the two-hour orchestra performance hosted at the Overture Center for the Arts Friday, Oct. 25 in downtown Madison is an electrifying experience to remember.

At the head of this performance is conductor Heidi Joosten. As a Wisconsin native, this performance represents a heartfelt homecoming for her, literally and figuratively.

“I grew up in a one stoplight town, about an hour North of Eau Claire, like I’m from Wisconsin, and both of my parents were my middle school through high school music teachers,” Joosten said.

Joosten’s return to the Overture Center stage is particularly touching for her. She said she recalls her first time stepping onto that same stage as a 15-year-old member of her Wisconsin all-state choir. She had never seen that many seats in her entire life. Now, years later, Joosten returns as the conductor of a major touring production.

The concert itself is a unique blend of a visual performance and musical domination. Unlike traditional films with orchestra performances, “Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert” puts the music front and center. Joosten explained this particular show is a feature of the music. She said the music came first, and then the animations were supercut to fit the music.

This approach presents both challenges and opportunities for the orchestra. With performances in different cities each night, Joosten said the orchestra is playing three back-to-back symphonies every time they perform. Book One has its own symphony, along with Book Two and Book Three. “Avatar” fans will recognize this from the three books in the animated series.

This nearly 80-minute-straight marathon of music requires intense preparation and endurance from the orchestra performers, but it also allows the score to shine in ways it never could within the confines of a television episode.

Zuckerman’s score, which earned him an Emmy award, takes on new life in this live setting. Working closely with Zuckerman and his orchestrator, Brian Harold, Joosten and her team crafted an experience that honors the original compositions while adapting them for a touring orchestra, Joosten said. The collaboration with Zuckerman and Harold allowed for the orchestra to sound exactly the way they wanted it to. For audiences, especially those familiar with the series, the concert promises to be an emotional journey.

“You’re going to laugh with us, cry with us … we don’t want this to feel like a stuffy orchestra concert. Come to this ready to cheer, ready to feel emotions, ready to have a great time,” Joosten said.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” has captivated audiences across three remarkable “books” — or seasons. Each book is named after an element that Aang — the protagonist — must master on his journey to becoming the Avatar. From Book One: Water, through Book Two: Earth and finally to Book Three: Fire, the series follows Aang’s growth as he learns to harness each element’s power.

The complexity of his journey is mirrored in the show’s rich orchestral score, which evolves alongside the story’s themes of war, peace and responsibility. Throughout all three books, the series masterfully balances these themes with moments of light-heartedness, creating a narrative that appeals to viewers of all ages.

This performance is particularly exciting for fans of the later seasons of Avatar, Joosten said. This is the first time that the orchestra has been able to bring the music from the second and third book’s to live audiences, according to Joosten. For students at the University of Wisconsin, the concert offers a unique opportunity to experience familiar storytelling. The 6:30 p.m. show time on Friday, that also happens to be Homecoming weekend, allows for a perfect start to an evening out. Students could come have a good time, and then continue the party, Joosten said.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert” is more than just a nostalgic trip for fans — it’s a celebration of the power of music to evoke emotion and tell stories. 

“This is a celebration of hope and joy that the series has brought to us for 20 years now,” Joosten said.