While The Clone Wars second season premiere debuts tonight, a second major Star Wars event is also making a debut of sorts, although it had a one night head start on Clone Wars — yup, Star Wars: In Concert opened its US tour last night at Anaheim’s Honda Center in California, and continues with a second performance tonight (that’s a double-hit for fans attending the concert and taping the Clone Wars premiere at home!)
Last night, thousands of audience members got to witness a brand new Star Wars experience for the first time in the US, one that included not only a live orchestra and choir conducted magnificently by Dirk Brossé, but also synchronized footage from all six Star Wars movies beaming from a huge high-def LED super-screen, a recorded intro by Vader voice actor James Earl Jones, and a brilliant series of introductions for each musical piece performed live by actor Anthony Daniels, who was able to thread the sequence of scores into a singular narrative spanning Episodes I-VI (in that order). Oh, and there were a few lasers and pyrotechnics thrown in for good measure.
Photo by David Iskra
While the narrative unfolded in episode order, the selected musical pieces roughly followed chronologically as well, but not exactly. For the Star Wars audiophiles out there, here’s the themes in the order played:
Star Wars Main Title
Duel of the Fates
Anakin’s Theme
Moisture Farm
The Flag Parade
Across the Stars
Battle of the Heroes
The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)
Intermission
The Asteroid Field
Princess Leia’s Theme
Tales of a Jedi Knight
Cantina Band
Yoda’s Theme
TIE Fighter Attack
Luke and Leia
The Forest Battle
Light of the Force
Throne Room/End titles
Photo by David Iskra
In addition to 18 memorable selections from all six Star Wars scores, there was an expansive exhibit of original Star Wars costumes, props and artwork on display in the venue’s round-about lobby, which actually threatened to make a good portion of the audience miss the first few minutes of the opening score. The exhibit captivated so many upon entering that many seemed torn between staying in the lobby or entering the theater. In addition to the exhibit, members of the 501st and Rebel Legions were on hand for photo ops with fans, and at least four stands stocked full of exclusive Star Wars: In Concert memorabilia kept several eager collectors busy through the start of the performance.
The performance itself is fully-immersive: Anthony Daniels first sets the tone of the piece to come by placing it in the context of the saga as a whole. Daniels, incidentally, was the perfect choice for this role, not only because his character — C-3PO — has seen the events of the entire saga unfold, but because the actor delivers a riveting performance. On stage, the 3-story high-def screen projects the film footage with utter clarity, surrounded by a halo of low-res screens to enhance the tone of the imagery (this is most effective when Tatooine’s twin suns are displayed around the central footage of scenes taking place on the desert planet). Additionally, there are lasers, jets of steam, and even balls of fire thrown above the stage, most effectively during the Anakin and Obi-Wan duel on Mustafar for “Battle of the Heroes”.
The orchestra and choir, displayed front and center under a wash of light to complement the footage, is of course the centerpiece to the presentation, and the reason Star Wars: In Concert enjoyed a sold-out performance on opening night. Savvy fans are pretty familiar with the magic behind the movies, but rarely do we get to witness first-hand the magic behind the music.
For more information about Star Wars: In Concert, visit the official site here, and also check out our image series over at Flickr.com.
Tags: Celebrities, Star Wars in Concert
I was so looking forward to attending this when I first heard about the tour hitting the states. Unfortunately, due to the economic downturns, I was unable to attend. I’m holding hope to The Force, that this wonderful edition to my Star Wars Life Experience, will soon be released as a dvd concert for all the millions of fans who are not fortunate enough to experience the magic live. “Help me Obi-Wan, you’re my only hope.”
Bought pre-sale tickets this week for the Pittsburgh show. Can’t wait for this. At $300 a seat plus the charges for premium seats (about $700 for 2 all said and done), I thought it was a bit much, but should be a great show.
Apply for a credit card you will. Then you will pay over time payments. If next time your “looking forward”, I hope you’ll jump C. Logan. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH. Tix start at about $26 I believe. DO THERE IS NO TRY.
Got my tickets today — I’ll be driving to the Pittsburgh show from Cleveland on Nov. 29, two days after my 40th birthday! Woohoo! Uh, I mean, Utini!
Are you planning a show for Western Canada????? Such as Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver?????
how long is the show??
thanks!
realy worth the money i went opining night in my hometown of ANAHEIM it was a blast i am never going to forget about it!!!
Attended the October 2nd show.
The visual presentation is stunning. The music live is inspiring. The memorabilia gives you a very nostalgic feeling.
Those who attend whether you wanted to or not will be glad you did.
With that said, I will say this. If you have seen the Star Wars: A Musical Journey DVD that came with the Episode 3 soundtrack as a bonus disc you will have seen and heard 98% of what is presented on screen during the concert.
However, I would still attend the concert. It is amazing.
Got my tickets for the Sunrise, FL show Oct 30!! Can’t wait!!
I was at the show mentioned in this article. The music was superb. Anthony Daniels did a great job.
Why no Chicago? Were a huge city!
Bought our tickets for Pittsburgh show today! So excited, Nov 29th can not come fast enough!
I also attended the opening night show. It was indeed amazing and well executed.
The orchestra was supurb, and that screen was the most awesome display medium I think I’ve seen! Daniels was great. He really seemed to enjoy performing this show, especially when the audience cheered for his mere mention of popular characters.
As you eluded too, the exhibits were really neat to see, but the thickness of the crowd made it difficult to see them all. Still, not something we as fans get a chance to see often.
As a fan and fellow blogger, just wished to share the experience with you. Enjoyed your review.
John
http://www.johnmastro.net
I was at the Friday Oct 2nd show in Anaheim. WOW incredible concert. Without give anything away, from the 1st second the concert started I got chills up and down my arms!! The live orchestra was perfect, amazing sound great lighting along with a large screen with movie clips!! A MUST SEE!! “Thank the maker”
I just bought my tix for the Philadelphia show and Cann’t wait come on nov 15
When will see and hear again STAR WARS in 3DSound romanian cinema? When will hear a Star Wars concert in Romania????
OOOOOOH!!!!! I’m so happy! I get to see the Salt Lake City Utah show on October 16th, at 7:00 P.M.! Its going to be so fun. I love Anakin. Thank you so much for playing his theme and Across the Stars. Across the Stars is my favorite song on earth, I swear. Can’t wait!
~~May the Force Be With You.
Plz, let me know when and if this event will take place in Milwaukee, WI
i might go there for my birhday just me and my mom!! cant wait!!
do you know if star wars concert is coming in england or in france, because i really want to see thanks
Ways there opining night in Anaheim, best show ever, It was truly amazing.
We went on Friday and it was amazing, the music, sound the screen… evrything. My kids are Star Wars fans and loved every minute of it. My five year old was glued to the screen. My ten year old daughter was equally excited about the magnitude of the orchestra and the amazing voices of the choir. Excellent production!!!!!!!!!
I went to the show too, and it was amazing. Although, I thought the end titles were from Revenge of the Sith-A New Hope and End Titles? Oh well, my favorite song was in it(Light of the force)so I am completly satified! The screen was awesome, and the movie props were weirdly satisfying to see.
Anthony Daniels narrated wonderful, and it was overall a big hit.
Is there a December 6th tour date for Chicago at the United Center? Saw it being hawked on the PBS station last night for $120.00 a ticket but that included the DVD. Anyone? Anyone?
I am very excited that I am seeing it tonight. Anyone else from AZ going to see it?
Cannot wait. We have the exclusive access passes for my husband, son and I November 10 in bridgeport, CT.
I am a HUGE fan of the movies I will not lie. I was very much looking forward to seeing something like this. I was very angry (yes I said angry) to find out that tickets sales started at $500+ the LOWEST were 70 something. I am sorry I worked in theaters all my life (live stage) until I switched jobs and I cannot see ANYTHING in this evening that would even remotely justify spending that much money ON ANYTHING!!!!! I am very disappointed in all who were involved in that decision. I have been trying to get my fiance` to watch the movies (yes she has not seen them yet) and when she found out how much this was going to cost she got so angry like myself that she no longer is even willing to consider watching them.
I am sickened.
Got my ticket for Montreal on November 25th. From the reviews, it seems awesome. I can’t wait!
As of October 4th, Chicago is not listed in the tour dates, but I’m sure it will be. They won’t pull an Olympics on us….
I can not find a concert date for chicago either, saw it on wttw for 120.00 a person but since I could not find anything about a chicago date I did not buy. anyone have an answer is there a chicago concert date
chicago please!!!!
Chicago – is waiting! Our family will be first in line to view this production, I can’t wait.
i really want to go this wed. or thurs.!!!
but i have no cash and my parents dont seem like they want to buy me the tickets!!
i dont want to miss this!!!!..i managed to attend celebration IV though..something a lot of people didnt have the opportunity to go to…
We packed all six of us into the arena in Glendale, Arizona…two generations of StarWars fans. In short, it was GREAT. Well executed and every bit worth the 75.00 a person.
We laughed, cheered and cried a little. It was a great compilation of the entire saga and the music was fantastic…after all it is John Williams’ music. It made my wife and I remember just how much this saga was and is a part of our life. The force is strong with this one.
I too saw the PBS 30 behind the scenes making of show this evening. I went so far as to call the number and ask some questions. Apparently WTTW in Chicago has purchased a group of tickets on the floor of the United Center for the December 6th concert. These tickets are $120 each. That is just for the ticket. Nothing else in included in that price.
And as of this evening, there is no mention of this concert at ticketmaster, the official Star Wars in Concert website or even the United Center’s website.
I am confident it will be on those websites in the near future and I certainly intend to buy two tickets. But I will not pay $120 for a ticket.
After US and Canada is there any chance to see the show in Mexico City?
Got my ticket in pre-sale for Philly…come on Nov. 15!!!
Got my ticket for Montreal. Good place for 75$ each. Star Wars Rock !!!
Ordered mine from WTTW for one of two shows on Dec 6th in Chicago at the United Center. Seems like they’re the only place to get them right now.
Hey, for the ones already attended the show, can you take pictures of the exhibit?? Do they allow take pictures???
I am so upset i was going to get tickets to the arco arena in sacramento but i will not be here so i dont get to go nooooooooooo i was looking forward to it so much………….. oh well
Went on Oct. 1. Good music, video. Not quite synchronized, but close. A little too loud in places (music, voices distorted). The crowd was certainly pumped, but that sometimes distracted. Too bad Anthony doesnt explain just a liiiiiittle more of the plot…wife had never seen Star Wars at all!
Show is 2 hours long but there is an intermission. Be ready for crowds!
I can’t wait for the museum it looks so awesome!
I’ve checked the events calendar for the United Center, but don’t see it listed ~ seems odd since it was a premium on our PBS Channel (WTTW) the other night. I’ll keep checking and hopefully it will come to Chicago!
Chicago has been listed for December 6 at the United Center. Hurray!
On the down side there don’t seem to be any tickets available for purchase online yet. *sigh*
Went to the performance last night here in Arizona. It was fantastic!
Is there anyway of getting the Concert to Come to Louisville, KY??? Seems to be hitting all around KY, but no date yet!
Thanks
Nov. 3 in Atlanta area. Got my tickets ad I’m ready to go. Now lets pray the baby will wait till after the 3rd.
I saw the show on Oct 2nd and loved it told others that couldn’t make it. “In one sentence if I had the money I’ll follow it all over the country.”