I spent Saturday afternoon with Darth Vader.
That would not be worth mention on any other day. I long ago discovered the dark side of the force. That goes a long way toward explaining my choice of profession.
But on Saturday, we were joind by Master Yoda, Chewbacca, and a cast of hundreds.
Well, hundreds with bows in hand, a song on their lips, and control boards galore.
Star Wars in Concert came to Spokane, And we joined them there.
I could simply link you over to the Concert web page -- and stop there. But, I won't. I have some things to say.
Nice things. And some -- observations.
Last week I wrote that Disney shows are quintessentially American. Simply not a French idea. (Of course there was that unfortunate Les Misérables business.)
And this concert is every bit as American as any Disney show. Full symphonic orchestra. Chorus. Lights. Film clips. And the music of John Williams.
Music that was revolutionary when the series began. Symphonic in nature. Wagnerian in leitmotif.
But it all served one purpose -- to tell a saga that reflected the very nature of the American Dream -- hope, freedom, justice, good triumphing over evil.
Overall, it all worked.
The music was well-selected. Covering both the brassy fanfares and subtle string pieces of John Williams. With narration by Anthony Daniels -- an actor whose voice is far more familiar than his face. He played C-3P0 in all six films.
The only disappointing part of the trip was the audience.
I thought I had seen some cold audiences in my lifetime. You have not laughed until you see an elderly Lancashire audience at a pier show. There are more laughs in a morgue.
Matters were not that bad in Spokane. But it was close.
Even movie audiences stamp and shout at the first notes of the Star Wars fanfare. This audience politely clapped. Young children nervously shuffled during the softer pieces.
Anthony Daniels introduced one piece of music with a story about the young Anikin Skywalker creating a robot by te name of -- [dramatic pause] -- C-3P0. An obvious applause line. Met by silence. You could hear crickets chirping in the back of the arena.
And the arena. Having good symphonic musicians play in a sports arena is like asking a hockey team to skate in a swimming pool.
And what does this have to do with Mexico? The concert is passing through the west coast on its way to Canada -- from Mexico City.
I really wish I could have seen the concert there. The Star Wars series is about as American as entertainment can be.
I wonder how the Mexican audience received it? After all, the country has it shares of Han Solos -- and Darth Vaders.
