October 15, 2009
Star Wars Concert
Portland Firefly had the opportunity to attend the Star Wars Concert here in Portland last night. It was totally awesome!! I loved it and I would encourage my readers in other parts of the country (are you listening Kansas City?) to get their tickets for this spectacular event.
The show actually begins immediately after you show your tickets at the door and walk into the outer areas of the venue. The excitement and energy level is through the roof! There are displays of some of the original Star Wars costumes. But that is not enough…. throughout the outer arena areas there are costumed characters who are very happy to pose with you or your child for picture-taking.
Here in Portland where drivers are noted for allowing other drivers to transfer lanes politely (cut into another lane), most everyone was respectful of allowing each family to have their moment with Darth Vader (yes, Darth Vader in person!), as well as other costumed charcters, for a special once in a lifetime photograph. Darth was very accommodating either choking your throat, or battling you with a light saber or just standing next to you looking tall and menacing!!! Your choice!!! Star Troopers were aplenty as were other notable characters.
Portland Firefly felt that these exhibits were worth the price of admission. But wait…. she has yet to enter the arena and take her seat….
The show consists of a full symphony orchestra with choir performing the music from the six Star Wars movies all composed by one of my favorite screen composers John Williams. Then you add an enormous high definition movie screen behind the orchestra and project scenes from the six movies that accompany the music.
The lights dim, and the orchestra plays the THX theme and a brief overture. The audience applauds wildly. We loved it.
That was the expectation but that wasn’t enough for the show’s producers…. Oh, no. The show had not really begun yet because the narrator was yet to be introduced. When the narrator was introduced, the crowd really went wild. It was Anthony Daniels –The actor who played C-3PO!! What can I say? A beloved character anyway, he was the perfect choice to narrate each upcoming vignette.
Portland Firefly did happen to notice that as the audience was applauding the orchestra after their superb playing of the ‘cantina’ theme that the Conductor was also applauding the orchestra. That was the only time I saw him do that. So he was pleased as well and I couldn’t help but to wonder that they must have had a difficult rehearsal!!
No one was ready to go home after the performance and the deafening applause was rewarded with a wonderful encore! We left satisfied but still wanting more!!! It was a wonderful event ~ not perfect, there is some room for improvement~ totally suitable for children of all ages –well maybe over 5.
My advice is … if you are even thinking of getting a ticket, just do it! You will not regret the decision. May the force be with you……
