Charles Ross has watched the 1977 "Star Wars" film (now known as episode IV) about 400 times. He's replayed episodes V and VI more than 20 times each.
Then he condensed that trilogy into a 75-minute, one-man comedy show.
Part homage, part spoof of the original trilogy of "Star Wars" films, "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" will be presented by the actor at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre in two performances set for Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3.
As Yoda would advise: Go, you must.
Ross single-handedly plays all the roles with spot-on voice impressions for about 45 characters, sings the iconic music, flies the ships and fights the battles. There are no costumes, no props, not even a light saber.
"I do all the main characters: Chewbacca, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda - they are the meat of the show," he lists. "But there are many others in smaller parts." He also has all the beeps and whistles down for C-3PO and R2-D2.
Both a writer and actor, Ross has been performing "One-Man Star Wars" for 18 years. It is officially endorsed by Lucasfilm and "Star Wars" creator George Lucas.
"When I started the show I honestly didn't think it would have any traction. But people found it interesting, so I started doing more engagements," Ross said in a telephone interview.
Lucasfilm found out about him through a website and contacted him, politely asking what he was doing. He sent the company a copy of his script and video.
"They were so kind. They brought me on for a couple of their big 'Star Wars' conventions. I did my show performing for 3,000 people at a time. These were people who knew their 'Star Wars' very well. Lucasfilm saw the value in what I was doing," Ross says.
His original show next spent six months off-Broadway "and that's when I got a license."
He has performed the show for over a million fans in 11 countries. He said he is gone as many as 177 days a year on the road presenting "One-Man Star Wars" in as many as 150 performances annually.
It's not the first pop-culture series he has neatly downsized. He has "One-Man Lord of the Rings," "One-Man Batman," "One-Man Stranger Things" and, in May, will debut "One-Man Avengers."
The two Chattanooga performances will be fundraisers for the Theatre Centre. Saturday's 8 p.m. performance includes a Star Wars Cantina, food, drinks, light sabers and "Star Wars" characters milling about. The characters will also be on hand for Sunday's 2:30 p.m. matinee.
Tickets are $50 for adults, $30 ages 13 and under on Saturday night. Tickets are $25 adults, $15 ages 13 and under for the Sunday matinee.
According to Ross, the show is suitable for "ages 6 to Yoda."
For tickets: 423-267-8534 or visit TheatreCentre.com.