TK-8968 suited up and spent about an hour outside the door to the theater space, waving to cars on the busy street and stopping for photos with a number of passers-by. Two in particular did not stop for a photo, however, but instead slapped 8968 on the shoulder as they ran past, one yelling "The Empire sucks! Rebels rule!" while boldly displaying a tattoo of the Rebel Bird. Were it not for the more important duty of the mission at hand, Fleetfang would certainly have run these dangerous terrorists down and brought them in for "questioning."
When the reading began, 8968 took up a standing position at the back of the audience. The staged reading took place at a table in front of a projection screen, where the company took advantage of conceptual paintings, film stills, and original artwork to illustrate the action being read. Sound effects and music also helped immerse the audience in the Star Wars universe. The performance itself was a very campy take on material that - in all honesty - does not stand up well under scrutiny. In my honest opinion, it really was the only way to play the very, very rough script for a reading like this. Still, it all made for interesting entertainment, getting a glimpse at a Star Wars that might have been...
By the end of the reading, Luke Skywalker had sworn the oath of the Jedi, faced Darth Vader and come within one action of hatred of turning to the Dark Side. Han Solo was heading off on his journey to meet with his father, the King of Corellia. Leia had made her choice to be with Solo, after consummating their love on the Falcon. The traitorous clone Lando Calrissian had lost his father, but had found a new family with the Rebellion. Mench, the impish Jedi Master on The Bog Planet, awaited Luke's return. And Darth Vader himself had returned to his Castle to plot his next villainous plan!
The AstonRep company took some pictures on the stage and graciously allowed this lowly stormtrooper to join them for a cast photo. And afterwords, they invited him to hang out, have a drink, and talk Star Wars and politics.
All-in-all, it was a great night of theatrical fun, and a great night of Star Wars!AstonRep Theater Company Fundraiser on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdtxpju-Y2I
TK-8968 with director Robert Tobin
Your Empire Needs YOU!
The AstonRep cast of The Empire Strikes Back, "buckets-off!"
TOD:
TK-8968 Brian T.
I try to keep my own stuff up to date to save you the bother. 
