Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Count Basie Center for the Arts, NJ

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert returns to the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey, with performances scheduled for May 16 and 17, 2026. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform John Williams’ iconic score live to picture, accompanying the complete screening of the 1977 film. Tickets are available through official channels and verified resale platforms, with pricing ranging from $45 to $125 depending on seat location and date.

The event is part of a broader touring series that has brought live orchestral performances of Star Wars films to venues across North America since 2016. Produced by Disney Concerts in collaboration with 20th Century Studios and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Red Bank engagements mark the orchestra’s second appearance in the series, following a successful run at the Prudential Center in Newark in 2023. This iteration features updated audio-visual synchronization technology and a revised conductor score reflecting recent restorations of the film’s original soundtrack.

Performance Details and Musical Presentation

Under the direction of conductor Emil de Cou, a frequent collaborator on Disney’s live-to-picture concert series, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform the full score across more than two hours of music. The program includes all original compositions and adaptations by John Williams, performed from the composer’s original manuscript scores as preserved in the Walt Disney Archives. The orchestra will be augmented by a professional choir for the “Force Theme” and “Throne Room” sequences, with vocalists drawn from regional ensembles including the Westminster Choir College Concert Bell Choir and the Rutgers University Glee Club.

Venue and Audience Experience

The Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, a 1,500-seat venue within the Count Basie Center for the Arts, offers enhanced acoustics and sightlines optimized for orchestral performances. The theater completed a $4.2 million renovation in 2024, upgrading its HVAC, seating, and projection systems to accommodate multimedia events like the Star Wars in Concert series. Attendees will experience the film in 4K resolution on a 24-foot screen, with Dolby Atmos audio mixed to balance the live orchestra and original sound design.

Ticket Availability and Pricing

Tickets for both performances went on sale to the public on March 1, 2026, through the Count Basie Center’s official box office and its authorized online partner, Ticketmaster. Verified resale listings are available through platforms such as Viagogo, StubHub, and SeatGeek, with prices fluctuating based on demand. As of April 20, 2026, orchestra-level seats for the May 16 performance ranged from $85 to $125, while balcony seating began at $45. The May 17 evening show carries a slight premium, with orchestra seats starting at $95. All tickets include access to pre-show lobby exhibits featuring concept art, costumes, and replica props from the Lucasfilm Archives.

Cultural and Educational Outreach

In conjunction with the performances, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is offering free educational workshops for local school groups on May 15, 2026, at the Count Basie Center. The program, titled “Music of the Galaxy: Scoring Star Wars,” explores the role of leitmotifs in film music and includes a demonstration by orchestra musicians. Over 300 students from Monmouth and Middlesex counties are registered to attend. The initiative is supported by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and aligns with the orchestra’s ongoing commitment to youth engagement in symphonic music.

Context Within the Star Wars Live Concert Series

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert is one of five films in the original and prequel trilogies adapted for live orchestral performance. The series has been presented in over 200 cities worldwide since its debut at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra previously performed The Empire Strikes Back in Concert at the Prudential Center in 2023, drawing an audience of over 8,000 across two nights. Industry analysts note that such events represent a growing segment of symphonic programming aimed at broadening audience demographics while maintaining artistic fidelity to classic film scores.