The Making of the Star Wars Holiday Special

Back in 1978 there was just one Star Wars movie and everybody had a theory about who the Jedis were, where Wookiees came from and when Luke and Leia were gonna get together and mash guts. So when the Star Wars Holiday Special aired on broadcast TV, lots of people watched — and were horrified. The production was a jumbled amalgamation of a crappy variety show, a cool cartoon starring new mystery man Boba Fett and a bizarre live-action story about Chewbacca getting home to celebrate Life Day, a Wookiee holiday. And then at the end a visibly high Princess Leia sang a horrible song about love and feelings. Bea Arthur, Art Carney and Jefferson Starship also showed up, because the '70s were relentlessly horrifying. How did this show get on the air? Magic Smoking Monkey is here to explain things with its new production, The Making of the Star Wars Holiday Special. The audience is encouraged to come in costume — either as your favorite Star Wars character or your favorite B-list '70s celebrity — to enhance the insanity of it all. Show times are at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (December 2 to 10) at the Regional Arts Commission (6128 Delmar Boulevard; www.stlshakespeare.org). Tickets are $10 to $15.