Star Wars in Concert
Star Wars: In Concert, previously referred to as Star Wars: A Musical Journey, is a series of concerts featuring a symphony orchestra and choir, along with footage from the Star Wars saga films displayed on a large LED screen at three stories tall. The screen is set to live performances of the Star Wars score composed by John Williams.[1][2] The first performance took place in the O2 Arena in London, England and was attended by approximately 20,000 fans. The first North American tour started in Anaheim, California on October 1, 2009, and the second and most recent North American tour ended in London, Ontario on April 14, 2015. The concert series was scheduled to return sometime in 2016, but has since been delayed.[3]
The concerts are narrated by Anthony Daniels,[4] conducted by Dirk Brossé, and performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. James Earl Jones provides his voice for Daniels' introduction. The concert uses selected compositions from the Star Wars saga starting with Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and ending with the Return of the Jedi with an intermission between the two trilogies. Although the musical selections are presented in order according to episode, the film clips do not correlate to the film the music is from, but correlate thematically.
From UT - John Williams’ “Star Wars” score is easily the most recognizable (and beloved) of all time. But you’ve never heard — or seen — it like this.
Feel the force: This is not a sit-down, best-behavior classical music concert. It’s a loud, powerful, hour-and-a-half-long journey through the six-film saga, set against a three-story LED screen and powered by an 86-piece live orchestra and chorus.
There are lasers, smoke and fire; concertgoers dressed as Princess Leia and Darth Vader; and exhibits of costumes, blasters and models.
This is how you get 5-year-olds (and 45-year-olds) to scream their heads off in excitement as they wave around their lightsabres in the same room as a symphony.
The droid you’re looking for: Though not in his C-3PO costume, actor Anthony Daniels clearly relishes his continuing role in the “Star Wars” franchise, having emceed more than 85 of these shows since they began late last year.
When I asked him if he ever thought a role in a 1970s low-budget, sci-fi film would go so far, he replied, “Not for a nanosecond. I actually do hug myself.”
