Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV)

Set 30 years after Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, the fourth episode of the saga returns to the desert planet of Tatooine. While searching for a lost droid, a young Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) begins to discover his destiny when he is saved by reclusive Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness). A civil war rages in the galaxy as Rebel forces struggle against the Galactic Empire. Luke and Obi-Wan enlist the aid of hotshot pilot Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Joined by R2-D2 and C-3PO, the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and use stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon. In a climactic confrontation, the group mounts an attack against the Death Star for a battle with Darth Vader.

Conductor

Damon Gupton is Principal Guest Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. A native of Detroit, he served as American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony and assistant conductor of the Kansas City Symphony. His appearances include the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, Britt Festival, Brevard Music Center, and Classic FM Live at Royal Albert Hall with Chineke!. Concert collaborations include work with Sting, Marcus Miller, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Common, Leslie Odom Jr., and others, as well as Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert.

Gupton received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Michigan and studied conducting at Aspen and the National Conducting Institute. A graduate of the Juilliard School Drama Division, he is also an actor with television, film, and stage credits.

Ticketing and Parking Notes

• All e-tickets for The Philadelphia Orchestra will be sent one week prior to the performance date. For questions contact the Box Office at 518-584-9330.
• SPAC Student Lawn Passes are not valid for free lawn admission to Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert.
• Web & phone ticket purchases incur a $7 service fee; no fees are applied for in-person Box Office purchases.
• Premier parking is available as an optional upgrade for $30 (limited spaces, purchase at checkout). General admission parking is free.

Permitted Items

• Food, beverages, and disposable utensils (compostable, plastic, reusable, etc.)
• Blankets and breathable ground coverings
• Umbrellas (personal-sized only)
• Lawn chairs
• Lawn chairs must not exceed 43" in height when opened.
• Lawn chairs on the center amphitheater lawn must not exceed 26" in height when opened.
• Tents
• Tents of any size will NOT be permitted on the Amphitheater lawn or immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage.

Items Not Permitted

• Metal utensils
• Plastic tarps
• Lawn chairs over 43" in height when opened
• Tents on the Amphitheater lawn or the area immediately in front of the Charles R. Wood Discovery Stage
• Grills, cooking equipment, or any flame that uses a liquid, gas, or gel accelerant
• Laser pointers
• Drones
• Professional audio or video recording equipment
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, etc.
• Pets (except ADA approved service animals)
• Illegal drugs or substances
• Weapons of any kind

Items listed are subject to change or vary on show day.

Ground Rules

• Security procedure: all bags will be inspected and all personnel may be searched via metal detectors. Bags include coolers, baskets, tote bags, purses, diaper bags, strollers, and other containers. Prohibited items should be disposed of or returned to your vehicle.
• Smoking is permitted on the SPAC grounds in designated areas only. Please dispose of cigarette butts properly.
• Guests may bring blankets and umbrellas but should consider others; disruptive items may be removed.
• Reentry is permitted for SPAC-produced events with a reentry wristband obtained from staff at the gates prior to exiting.
• SPAC has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Report concerns to SPAC staff or security immediately.

Amphitheater House Rules for Classical Performances

• "House" refers to seating inside the amphitheater and these rules apply to SPAC-produced events.
• Beverages are permitted in the amphitheater, but food is not.
• Guests arriving after performances begin will not be seated until an appropriate break in the performance, at the discretion of House Staff.
• Please turn off or silence mobile devices before the start of the program. If you must use a device in an emergency, step outside the theater.
• Video, photography, audio, or cell phone recording during performances is prohibited.