by: S. Scott Stanikmas – Senior Staff Writer
For many people out there Star Wars: The Force Awakens was their first chance to peer back to a long, long time ago and visit a galaxy far, far away. But it could have been worse – they could have been the generation that got stuck with the Prequel Trilogy.
Still, everyone should get to experience the original three Star Wars films on the big screen at some time. Many had the chance in mega marathons being held by some theaters leading up to The Force Awakens. But if you weren’t one of the lucky ones to check the first trilogy out then life is giving you a second chance.
The Alamo Drafthouse has announced that they’ll be doing showings of the first three Star Wars films (A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi) as part of a traveling roadshow. Twenty venues across the United States will show the films this upcoming August.
Unfortunately these showings won’t be the untouched originals but the 1997 special editions. Still it could be worse – you could not even get to see them. (Seriously, let’s get the untouched versions back out there!)
Some showings will be mega marathons, some will be stretched out over three days and some will even take place outside under the stars themselves. Many screenings will have trivia contests, props on display and special videos to help make this a special undertaking.
Tickets go on sale May 4 (May the Fourth, HAHA!) on ReturnOfTheTrilogy.com. Henri Mazza, Alamo’s VP of Special Events had the following to say about the upcoming showings:
It’s always been a dream to show the original Star Wars trilogy again – somehow, someway. Seeing the original trilogy on the big screen for the first time is a real life-altering event and just a supreme amount of fun. When the films became available to book for screenings like these, we jumped at the chance to do something big.
These are the dates that have been announced so far. Make sure to check back at ReturnOfTheTrilogy.com for further updates and ticket availability:
August 6 – San Francisco, CA / The Warfield
August 6 – Kansas City, MO / The Midland Theatre
August 6 – Washington, D.C. / Warner Theatre
August 6 – Los Angeles, CA / The Theatre at the Ace Hotel
August 6 – New York, NY / The Town Hall
August 6 – Miami, FL / Olympia Theatre
August 6 – San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
August 7 – New York, NY / Kings Theatre
August 7 – Dallas, TX / Majestic Theatre
August 11 – Austin, TX / The Long Center for the Performing Arts (Ep. 4-A New Hope)
August 12 – Austin, TX / The Long Center for the Performing Arts (Ep. 5-The Empire Strikes Back)
August 13 – Austin, TX / The Long Center for the Performing Arts (Ep. 6-Return of the Jedi)
August 13 – Philadelphia, PA / The Keswick Theatre
August 13 – Louisville, KY / Brown Theatre
August 20 – Oakland, CA / Paramount Theatre
August 27 – Boston, MA / The Boston Opera House
Date TBD – Houston, TX / Venue TBD
Date TBD – Denver, CO / Venue TBD
