Star Wars (radio)

An expanded radio dramatization of the original Star Wars trilogy was produced in 1981, 1983, and 1996. The first two radio series, based on and ', were produced and broadcast by National Public Radio as part of NPR Playhouse. A dramatization of ' was produced by most of the same team and also broadcast on NPR.

The Empire Strikes Back

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The success of the series led to a 10-part, five-hour series based on ', again written by Daley and directed by Madden.

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Like the preceding series, The Empire Strikes Back expanded its story by incorporating new scenes that did not affect existing continuity. Examples include an Imperial attack on a Rebel patrol (set before the film's opening scene) and a tense conversation between Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, stranded in the Hoth wastelands awaiting rescue.

Related Topics:
Han Solo - Luke Skywalker - Hoth

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One of the unusual promotions that National Public Radio did for the radio serial was to get Craig Claiborne to create his version of Yoda's rootleaf recipe, which the Jedi Master served Luke in the hut on Dagobah. The recipe ran in magazines and newspapers across the country.

Related Topics:
Craig Claiborne - Yoda - Rootleaf - Jedi Master - Dagobah

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The Empire Strikes Back debuted on NPR on February 14, 1983.

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The episodes were titled:

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• "Freedom's Winter"
• "The Coming Storm"
• "A Question Of Survival"
• "Fire And Ice"
• "The Millennium Falcon Pursuit"
• "Way Of The Jedi"
• "New Allies, New Enemy"
• "Dark Lord's Fury"
• "Gambler's Choice"
• "The Clash Of Lightsabers"

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Cast

Billy Dee Williams reprised Lando Calrissian, and John Lithgow played Yoda; at the time Madden was directing Lithgow in the play Beyond Therapy.

Related Topics:
Billy Dee Williams - Lando Calrissian - John Lithgow - Yoda - Beyond Therapy

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• Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker)
• Ann Sachs (Princess Leia Organa)
• Perry King (Han Solo)
• Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
• Bernard "Bunny" Behrens (Obi-Wan Kenobi)
• Brock Peters (Lord Darth Vader)
• John Lithgow (Yoda)
• Anthony Daniels (C-3PO)
• James Eckhouse (Beta)
• Peter Friedman (Dak)
• Ron Frazier (Deck Officer)
• Merwin Goldsmith (General Rieekan)

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• Peter Michael Goetz (Ozzel)
• Gordon Gould (Veers)
• Paul Hecht (The Emperor)
• Russell Horton (2-1B)
• James Hurdle (Controller)
• Nicholas Kepros (Needa)
• David Rasche (Piett)
• Alan Rosenburg (Boba Fett)
• Jay Sanders (Imperial Pilot)
• Don Scarino (Wedge)
• Ken Hiller (Narrator)

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The supporting cast again included David Alan Grier and also included Sam McMurray, Steven Markle, Stephen D. Newman, John Pielmeier, Geoffrey Pierson, Gary Tacon, and Jerry Zaks.

Related Topics:
Sam McMurray - Steven Markle - Stephen D. Newman - John Pielmeier - Geoffrey Pierson - Gary Tacon - Jerry Zaks

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