#141 Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit

With any luck Star Wars radio drama fans may have something new to look forward to. After months of writing, casting and other preparations Kyle Newman's Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit was performed live at the Star Wars Celebration VI convention in Orlando, Florida over the weekend of August 23-26, 2012. The story is based on concepts from original Star Wars radio drama writer Brian Daley's Han Solo Adventure books and set just after the events of Star Wars: A New Hope. According to Newman Smuggler's Gambit was designed to be a fun, fast-paced story in the spirit of the classic Star Wars radio dramas written by Daley. The story not only incorporates original characters such as Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, R2D2, and Boba Fett but also a few new characters as well.

Newman's desire to create a quality production spurred him on to seek out a highly talented cast of actors. And he found one when he cast the actors from The Clone Wars Animated Series. In the cast are...
David Collins as Han Solo
Ashley Eckstein as Ryder Thorne – a conflicted upstart hustling her way through the outer rim who suddenly finds herself in way over her head on a deal…
Sam Witwer  as Ro Kurota – a brash, young smuggler turned bounty hunter eager to make a name for himself.
Matt Lanter as Luke Skywalker
Dee Bradley Baker  as Black Sun crime lord “Prince Xixor” and “Sweeper” – an unsavory face from Solo’s past.
Clare Grant as Princess Leia
Matthew Wood as Bib Fortuna
Daniel Logan as Boba Fett
Tom Kane Imperial Lieutenant Kane, the “Narrator” and the program’s “Announcer”

Jimmy Mac (Forcecast) Producer and Sound Effects. Over 100 sound cues were played during the production.

No doubt Star Wars fans will be waiting with eager anticipation to find out if last weekends live performance of Star Wars: Smuggler's Run radio drama was recorded for future release.

Script Intro from Kyle Newman:

NARRATOR

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

MUSIC: STAR WARS MAIN THEME (LOUD FOR 25 SECONDS THEN FADE DOWN, PLAYING UNDER…)

NARRATOR

Several months have passed since the Rebellion’s surprise victory over the Empire at Yavin IV and the destruction of the DEATH STAR.  With the location of their secret base revealed, the Rebels are now on the run, dangerously adrift in space.

Realizing the Imperial armada is determined to quash the growing insurgency at all costs, PRINCESS LEIA, youthful leader of the Rebel Alliance, orders a covert galaxy wide search for a new hideaway to continue the Rebellion.

Spearheaded by former smugglers HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA the Wookiee, a small reconnaissance team has been dispatched to ABROSSOS VI in hopes of securing new refuge.  But Han and Chewie, not exactly team players, are still unsure of their place in the Alliance…

For more Star Wars see also:

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama (aka Star Wars: A New Hope)
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/1-star-wars-original-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/2-empire-strikes-back-radio-drama.html

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/3-return-of-jedi.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Soldier For The Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/07/48-star-wars-dark-forces-soldier-for.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Rebel Agent
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/12/117-star-wars-dark-forces-rebel-agent.html

Star Wars: Dark Forces - Jedi Knight
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/12/118-star-wars-dark-forces-jedi-knight.html

Star Wars: Crimson Empire
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/97-star-wars-crimson-empire.html

Star Wars: Rebel Mission to Ord Mantell
http://radiodramaspotlight.blogspot.com/2011/08/99-star-wars.html