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AstonRep Star Wars Fundraiser

As a fundraiser of their upcoming second season, AstonRep Theatre is excited to present a staged reading of the rare original first draft of The Empire Strikes Back. The reading will take place on Saturday, August 20th at 8pm. The reading will be followed by a talkback with a celebrity moderator and screenings of select Star Wars fan films. $20 is suggested, which will include admission to the event and a free drink. Reservations may be made online at www.astonrep.com or reserved at 773-828-9129. The Den Theatre is conveniently located in the heart of Wicker Park - 4 blocks from the CTA Damen Blue Line and street parking is available.

In 1978, George Lucas commissioned acclaimed Science-fiction/Fantasy director, Leigh Brackett, to pen the screenplay for a follow-up sequel to the first historic Star Wars movie. A disciple of sci-fi luminaries such as Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs, Brackett infused her style of swash-buckling fantasy and space opera into a sprawling adventure of epic proportions. Upon completion of the script, however, Brackett fell ill with cancer and passed away shortly after. Along with director Irvin Kershner, George Lucas took the script over, made several changes, and revised it to the film that was made. The rest is history

The script will be a fascinating look at what could have become of the Star Wars Universe had this version been made. What if Darth Vader was not Luke's father? What if he had pet gargoyles? What if the Rebels were attacked by an army of snow creatures? What if Han Solo needed his step-father to save the galaxy? We will explore what would have become of the Star Wars Universe and the story that followed this and other questions in our talk-back following the reading.

The staged reading and post-discussion led by a guest moderator will be followed by an intermission and screening of 3 select Star Wars "fan films". There will also be a raffle to benefit the AstonRep Theatre company and their upcoming season.