Sounds of silence
- By Roger McBain
- Evansville Courier & Press
- Posted May 18, 2011 at 11:04 p.m., updated May 18, 2011 at 11:04 p.m.
Courtesy the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Out-of-this-world images will accompany "Thus Spake Zarathustra" from the soundtrack of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and other selections in "Sci-Fi Night," the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra's final Pops concert of the season.
EVANSVILLE - Stars will glitter, mists will glow and Darth Vader will glower in The Victory this weekend for performances of Sci-Fi Night, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra's final Pops performances of the season.
The concert will feature Alfred Savia conducting the orchestra through familiar selections from soundtracks for "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Star Wars," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "E.T.," "Superman," "Avatar" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," along with other science-fiction movies and TV productions.
They'll come with a light show, a star show, a slide show and a show of force by costumed characters portraying Darth Vader, Imperial Storm Troopers and representatives of the Rebel Legion.
Courtesy Steve Percifield Steve Percifield is among "Star Wars" enthusiasts who dress as Imperial Storm Troopers in the 501st Legion's Bloodfin Garrison. They´ll join a costumed Darth Vader onstage during the "Imperial March" performed during the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra's "Sci Fi Night" Pops concerts in The Victory this weekend.
As they've done for previous performances, Dana Taylor and students from his theater technology classes at Mount Vernon (Ind.) Senior High School will provide the special lighting effects for the concerts.
For this show, however, "our job will be focused on making the lighting more active and reactive to the music," said Taylor.
The bold music seems to "cry out for movement, color and action," he said. "In many ways, the music becomes the guest artist for this concert."
In addition to the orchestra shell and screens, Taylor's team will use a hazer, fogging the atmosphere with a mist of water particles that will catch and hold the light beams, shifting colors and movements.
"The concert will be the canvas for Dana's light palette," said Savia.
It will all play out before screened projections and a backdrop of stars that will shift in intensity to the music.
And look for an armored Darth Vader and Imperial Storm Troopers from the Bloodfin Garrison of the 501st Legion, a regional organization of costumed "Star Wars" characters, to parade onto the stage for "The Imperial March" from John Williams' music for "Star Wars."
Other guests will include members of another costumed "Star Wars" fan group, the Rebel Legion, and perhaps some other super heroes.
The program doesn't indicate whether Savia will wear Spandex for the shows, but the orchestra's conductor has never been able to resist donning cape and tights to become "Supermaestro" for a pops performance, much less a season finale.
IF YOU GO
What: The Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and guests season finale with "Sci-Fi Night," a Pops concert featuring music from "Star Wars," "Star Trek," "2001: A Space Odyssey" and other science fiction movies and TV shows, presented with a light show and appearances by familiar costumed characters
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Victory
Admission: Tickets $15 to $50 for adults, $5 to $50 for those 12 and younger, $8 at the door for students (hour before concert). Members of club2030 may register online for $10 tickets until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
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