University Student Steps In for Sick Musician in “La La Land in Concert”
What began as a typical Saturday night for 21-year-old university student Sterling Nasa, attending the Sydney premiere of “La La Land in Concert,” quickly transformed into a real-life fairy tale. Nasa found himself thrust into the spotlight, replacing a sick musician and delivering a performance that echoed the very cinematic magic of the film he was there to see.
The concert, featuring Oscar-winning composer-conductor Justin Hurwitz and an Australian orchestra and jazz band, was already shaping up to be a spectacular event at the 2500-seat Darling Harbour Theatre. However, the second half of the show took an unexpected turn.
Following a prolonged interval, Hurwitz, the acclaimed composer behind “La La Land’s” Oscar-winning score, appeared on stage with news that a key musician was too unwell to continue. He issued a call to the audience, seeking an exceptionally talented keyboard player capable of sight-reading unfamiliar music on the spot.
A Friend’s Encouragement and a Bold Decision
Deep within the theatre, Nasa was nudged by his friend Scarlett, who urged him to volunteer. “She just said, ‘just do it, it’ll be good dad lore’,” Nasa recounted. “I thought, ‘she’s right’, so put my hand up.” This impulsive act of bravery, spurred by a desire for a memorable anecdote, set in motion a sequence of events straight out of a Hollywood script.
As Hurwitz, visibly relieved, called Nasa to the stage amidst a buzz of audience anticipation, the young student faced a new challenge: he was tasked with playing the celeste, an instrument he had never encountered before. Hurwitz, incredibly gracious, thanked Nasa, checked on his composure, and then swiftly facilitated his integration with the sound technicians and keyboard programmers. In an astonishing display of efficiency, Nasa was set up and ready to perform within a mere 90 seconds of his impromptu stage debut.
Finding His Rhythm and Improvising Brilliance
The initial moments on stage were understandably nerve-wracking for Nasa. However, after about ten minutes, he began to feel a sense of control. “Just stay focused, try your best, you’re not completely out of your depth,” he told himself. His distinctive white shirt made him easily identifiable among the other musicians, and the audience responded with enthusiastic applause whenever he had a featured part.
During a brief respite for the celeste, Nasa took the initiative to flip ahead in the musical score, attempting to familiarise himself with upcoming pieces. It was during the rendition of John Legend’s “Start a Fire” that Nasa encountered his greatest challenge. The song features a complex synthesizer solo, famously performed by Ryan Gosling’s character in the film.
“The only one that caught me a little bit off guard was the synth solo in the [John Legend song] Start a Fire,” Nasa explained. “It’s a very technical solo that Ryan Gosling plays … I saw it on the page and I thought, ‘I’m not going to be able to sight-read this’, so I took the liberty and just completely improvised the solo.”
Nasa believed that improvising would have been in keeping with the spirit of Gosling’s character, adding a personal touch to his unexpected performance. This creative decision proved to be a masterstroke.
A Standing Ovation and Backstage Gratitude
Later, Hurwitz confessed his relief and admiration for Nasa’s improvisation. “He said, ‘I was worried that you wouldn’t be able to do it or, worst case, that you’d just stop playing and there wouldn’t be a synth solo’,” Nasa revealed.
The concert concluded with a resounding ovation for Hurwitz and the orchestra, with a special surge of applause directed at the night’s accidental star. Backstage, the professional musicians expressed their gratitude to Nasa for his crucial contribution.
“It was very nice to meet Justin, who was very kind, very appreciative,” Nasa shared. “I got to chat with him very briefly and got a few photos.”
An Unforgettable Night and a Return to Normalcy
The extraordinary evening continued even after the concert. As Nasa departed, he was met by fans requesting autographs on programs and selfies. Upon returning home to Woollahra, he shared the remarkable experience with his parents, showing them a video captured by Scarlett. “They thought it was pretty funny,” he remarked.
Prior to this serendipitous event, Nasa’s most significant performing experience was a role in a 2024 amateur production of “Jersey Boys,” before his studies in politics and international relations at university took precedence. Beyond his burgeoning interest in international affairs, Nasa is a proficient pianist and organist, and also teaches bagpipes at his former school, Scots College.
The following morning, as “La La Land in Concert” continued its Sydney run before heading to Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, Nasa was back on a much more familiar stage – playing the piano at his local church. He was actively working to maintain perspective on his “La La Land” adventure.
“It was really, really fun,” he reflected. “It’s one of my favourite movies. I was happy just sitting in the audience, let alone with what happened. It was going to be a good night either way.”
Nasa also expressed a sense of fulfillment in being able to ensure the show’s continuity, particularly given the high calibre of the musicians he shared the stage with. “That’s the most important thing. People have paid a lot of money, it’s their Saturday night, they want to go see something good. It would suck if it was tainted,” he stated.
Ultimately, Nasa summed up his unexpected night as “a top night,” a testament to the magic that can happen when talent, opportunity, and a little bit of courage collide.
