Star Wars: In Concert features series score performed by orchestra, choir

yoda-W By Jim Hagerty

Staff Writer

Even for kids who didn’t have sports heroes, the characters in the Star Wars trilogy were household names. Posters of Luke Skywalker, R2D2, even Darth Vader, filled the walls of children’s bedrooms around the world.

When the epic space odyssey blasted off in 1977, creator George Lucas immediately had a hit on his hands. The film has spawned a merchandising empire almost as big as the films themselves. Action figures, board and video games, TV shows, lunch boxes—and a score of other promotional items—have kept the series a leading part of pop culture for more than 30 years. Another treasure has been the music that has proved to be one of most popular scores in film history.

Today, Star Wars: In Concert is a live show featuring an 86-piece symphony and 80-person choir that perform themes from the John Williams score. Williams won an Academy Award for his work.

Scenes from the space films are also featured on a three-story-tall HD video screen. A worldwide arena tour, Star Wars: In Concert makes a stop at Chicago’s United Center Sunday, Dec. 6. Tickets go on sale beginning Saturday, Oct. 17.

More information about Star Wars: In Concert can be found at www.starwarsinconcert.com.

From the October 7-13, 2009 issue