Jeff Benton sends us a report from the Dallas charity screening of AOTC:

I arrive early for my 5:00 screening at Cinemark's Legacy location in Plano, TX. There was a 50 yard long enclosed pavilion erected in the parking lot to the south, complete with fichus trees which bordered the long red carpet lined with framed posters from ANH, ESB, and ROJ. There was quite a line for the $500.00 VIP check-in (VIP donors got a pre-party and early seating) most were corporate guests and their kids but there were a lot of costumed fans as well- some good trooper costumes, a great Queen A. and various fat guys in Jedi outfits. *side note* it's sad to see that the Empire is forced to accept 5'4" tall troopers with 42 inch waist lines!

After getting my ticket punched and fashioned into a 'backstage access' type necklace, I joined a small line forming for the un-VIP $300.00 donors-all of us anxiously awaiting our turn to find out how poor our seat choice was going to be in one of two screenings we had to choose from (both presented in Texas Instruments DLP). The Metropolitan Winds Orchestra played selections from all Star Wars films (they have a John Williams tribute concert in Dallas June 9th) while we waited in line. The orchestra played beautifully!

Once we were let in, and traversed the maze of 'Reserved' signs, I found a perfect seat dead center of the theatre. 30 minutes to go...now starts the mad dash to the concession stand and bathroom and back to your seat. The theatre was packed! I do not know if they filled two screenings or not.

The 20th Fox Fanfare started and the crowd went insane -'a long time ago....' And they went berserk!

I have to say that I loved this movie! There were many moments, two in particular really, where, at thirty-two years of age, I was transported back to that little, third grade boy sitting on the edge of my seat with goose-bumps and a lump in my throat! This movie captured that feeling for me -the feeling I think we all crave -and one I thought would never be felt again -pure joy!

The after-party and silent auction was great -especially with all the free booze and cantina band playing! Kudos to the Family Place and the staff at Cinemark for a wonderful time.