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With snow billowing about, the scene outside the arena resembled the ice planet Hoth from “The Empire Strikes Back.”
At the same time, the music of “Star Wars” rushed and swirled inside Qwest Center Omaha, delighting the more than 3,000 people who actually showed up.
More than 100 members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir put on a performance of “Star Wars: In Concert” that resembled a rock 'n' roll show more than a symphonic concert.
Directed by Dirk Brosse, the orchestra was surrounded by moving lights, spouts of flame, lasers and enormous video screens that displayed scenes from the “Star Wars” saga.
Anthony Daniels, the man who played the lovable droid C-3PO in all six films, was the master of ceremonies for the evening.
Introduced as “part of a Rebel Alliance and a traitor” by a recording of James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader), Daniels introduced each of about 20 segments of music.
“Thank you. Thank you for braving the extraordinary elements to be with us this evening,” Daniels said, taking the stage.
Qwest Center officials acknowledged that the snowy conditions hurt attendance but would not disclose the total amount of tickets sold.
Several callers to The World-Herald said they were upset that they had purchased tickets but could not make it to the arena.
Of those who did, many were children accompanied by parents.
Only a few folks braved the weather in full Star Wars regalia.
Counted among those in costume were a few Jedi, a wookie, a Rebel trooper, a stormtrooper, an Imperial officer and one Princess Leia, complete with white dress and buns in her hair.
Playing along with scenes edited together from all six live-action “Star Wars” films, the orchestra performed superbly.
If the orchestra wasn't right on stage, its music could have easily been mistaken for a recording played along with the clips.
The orchestra performed many favorites from composer John Williams' original Oscar-winning and nominated scores, including the “Star Wars” main theme, the “Imperial March,” the Mos Eisley Cantina Band's song and “Duel of the Fates” from “Episode I: The Phantom Menace.”
And just like the films, the orchestra started the evening with the 20th Century Fox fanfare.
Daniels was as fun as the orchestra. During one segment, he went on and on about the virtues of C-3PO, drawing laughs from the crowd until conductor Brosse gave him a stern look.
At another point, he slipped into character, revealing a golden vest beneath his black tuxedo and stating that the odds of successfully navigating an asteroid field are “3,720 to 1.”
At the end of the show, and after taking a bow, Daniels addressed the audience one last time.
“You're not ready to go back into the snow, are you? You have time for one more?”
The night ended with an encore of the “Imperial March,” the song that accompanies Darth Vader's entrance in “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.”
Daniels also gave the ultimate sendoff to “Star Wars” fans: “May the Force be with you. Always.”
Contact the writer:
444-1557, kevin.coffey@owh.com
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