Pacific Symphony Brings “The Force Awakens” to Life at Great Park
The Pacific Symphony performed Star Wars: The Force Awakens live-to-film at Irvine’s Great Park, blending John Williams’ legendary score with a community movie night under the stars.
Photo credit Nate Yoo
In 2017, nearly fourteen years after the release of the last installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, the highly anticipated The Force Awakens debuted to widespread acclaim. The movie became the highest-grossing film at the box office that year and served as a bridge from the icons of the original franchise to a refreshed, modern one.
Eight years later, The Force Awakens returned on August 2, 2025, in a slightly different setting. On the manicured lawns of Irvine’s Great Park, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra presented a screening of the movie with a twist: the original soundtrack was not pre-recorded but instead performed live.
The concert was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Anticipating the Great Park’s reputation for traffic, many attendees arrived early. Fortunately, parking proved smooth and efficient, at least for this writer.
Even before entering the venue, nostalgia and joy were evident. Some fans dressed in classic Star Wars costumes, while others opted for casual outfits.
Inside the sprawling performance grounds, each attendee received a small, miniature lightsaber as a keepsake. The family-friendly atmosphere was clear. The crowd included a wide mix of generations, from those who attended the original 1977 Star Wars screening to children watching their first Star Wars film.
Concessions were plentiful. Options ranged from Chick-fil-A to charcuterie boards, offering something for nearly every palate. Prices were on the higher side, and lines grew long before the performance and during intermission. Most vendors closed once the film began.
When the show started a few minutes after the scheduled time, conductor Anthony Parnther introduced the orchestra with lighthearted remarks. As the lights dimmed and the orchestra launched into John Williams’ score, the film began with the legendary yellow opening crawl. The orchestra’s timing was seamless, a testament to careful preparation.
“We all learned the parts before our first rehearsal, and for Star Wars we had two rehearsals,” said Jennise Hwang, the principal second violinist. Learning the music before rehearsals took her about a week and a half. The Pacific Symphony Orchestra is no stranger to live-to-film concerts. A staple in Orange County since 1978, Pacific Symphony has become one of the most prominent orchestras in the country.
“We play live to film fairly often, both indoors and outdoors, so folks have plenty more opportunities to enjoy this kind of concert,” added violinist Christine Frank. This year’s Star Wars performance was part of the orchestra’s annual SummerFest at the Great Park.
Performing outdoors brought unique challenges. “The wind was a challenge, so we always have paper clips to keep the music from blowing,” said Hwang. Frank added that insects, temperature changes, and humidity also made it difficult to keep instruments in tune and fingers moving smoothly.
The music itself presented its own hurdles. “The notes tend to be very fast and furious, and of course, we have to keep right to the tempo of the video,” said Frank. Hwang agreed: “Fitting all the notes in and trying to be musical, keeping the section together, was the most challenging and fun aspect.”
Despite the challenges, the performance was exceptional. “With only the visual cues on his screen, Anthony Parnther leads the orchestra to play with just the right pace and emotional expression,” Frank said. Many musicians had even recorded with John Williams himself, the legendary composer of Star Wars. At times, the music blended so seamlessly with the film that it was easy to forget a live orchestra was performing in front of the screen. The experience offered the precision of a recording with the artistry of live performance.
After about an hour, the orchestra paused for a 10-minute intermission, when concessions reopened. The performance resumed for another hour until the concert concluded. In total, the evening lasted about three hours.
The experience proved unforgettable both musically and as a community gathering. “It’s a great way to gather around great art and to be with so many people who want to share something culturally beautiful,” said Kay Nevin, a visiting musician in the audience.
Ticket prices were relatively affordable compared with other large-scale performances, making the event accessible to families and fans alike. “Absolutely,” said Irvine resident Carol Jakel when asked if she would recommend the concert. Most attendees seemed to leave with smiles, and many expressed their enjoyment of the evening.
Pacific Symphony will close its 2025 SummerFest season with Tchaikovsky Spectacular: Concert of Hope on Saturday, September 6, at 8 p.m. at the Great Park. Use the promo code SUMMERJOY to receive 20% off your ticket.
