The Center for the Arts looked like it was hosting a "Star Wars" convention Monday night, with fans adorned in costume eagerly anticipating the rapid-fire delivery of showman Charles Ross.
Attendees poured in to see a one-man rendition of their favorite movie that they're likely to remember.
Before the show began, characters from "Star Wars Episode IV," "V," and "VI" were taking pictures in full costume. Lightsabers, Jedi Knights and even Darth Vader himself appeared in the CFA lobby.
Those in attendance ranged from toddlers to 70-year-olds, but everyone anticipated the unusual show. Men and women both young and old, many clad in "Star Wars" outfits, flooded into the Mainstage Theatre.
Ross, using only a tiny microphone attached at his ear and his own talent, brought the first three movies to life.
Ross and director TJ Dawe abridged the series used lighting techniques, animated body movements and Ross' voice impersonations. The actor was able to imitate every character including the sounds of R2D2, C3PO and Chewbacca. The skinny blond expressed each beep and Wookie moan with uncanny elocution.
The audience was made aware of character and scene changes by incredible lighting sequences. Yoda's character was surrounded by a green glow while the setting for the evil Darth Vader was flooded in red. This detail along with his tiny hand movements helped the audience make connections.
The show was a visual spectacle but would be quite confusing for those not familiar with the films. To fully appreciate Ross' performance, one should be as familiar with the movies as with the back of their own hand. Quick scene changes and Ross' sometimes-ambiguous references made the audience members scramble through memories to remember that one scene.
Though the audience may not pick up on every detail, Ross brings these poor souls back into the show with his comedic interludes. Not only does he recap the movies, he adds his own twists.
Audience members keeled over laughing when he interrupted his show to add in a line about the woman in the front row leaving to answer her cell phone.
Again, the audience was consumed with laughter when he made light of the unspoken attraction between the male characters and Princess Leia with a subtle "shwing" comment.
Ross' impromptu jokes and amazing talent kept the audience captivated, even those who weren't Star Wars fanatics.
Even after the show, Ross thrilled the audience by interweaving jokes while promoting future performances. He told audience members who liked the show to brag to friends and family. For those not as fond of the show, he told them to lie and then brag to disliked family members.
Whether one liked the show or not, credit must be given to Ross and Dawe for their original adaptation.
The show has been seen across North America and Ross was even invited to perform at Lucasfilm's official movie release convention, Celebration 3 in honor of the release of "Star Wars: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith." Ross and Dawe have also created the "One Man Lord of the Rings."
