It’s that time of year again! The Northeast Community College’s Theatre Department is getting ready for their spring production, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Death Star. The first performance will be May 5, at 7:30 p.m.

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Death Star was written by a Nebraska native, Curt Bright. Bright and his brother, Randy, founded Lincoln’s popular children’s entertainment group, The String Beans. His interest in songwriting was combined with his favorite childhood movie, Star Wars, when he began to put his own spin on popular pop tunes and Broadway hits. For example, Sir Mix-A-Lot’s popular hit, “Baby, Got Back” can be heard as “Jabba Got Hutt”.

When Bright began to write this musical, he intended his audience to be “middle-aged nerds” like himself. However, he soon realized Star Wars is still popular in today’s generation. He says, “it turned out that while I thought I was writing a play for my peers, I was actually writing a show for families to enjoy together.” Which is why the play has been well received at children’s and local productions, the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and the Kansas City Fringe Festival.

While the musical has been produced multiple times, Northeast Community College is actually the first college to ever produce it. Which was exactly Bright’s goal. He says, “I’ve always hoped that my show would be produced in a college theater. Seriously. That’s been my goal. I think the energy and creativity of college-aged performers is a perfect fit for a goofy, musical comedy about space wizards, robots, and monsters.”

Performances are May 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and May 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door— $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students. This musical is perfect for all Star Wars fans, old and young!