Those who didn't make the midnight kickoff of the final chapter to the epic series still have plenty of chances to get a seat.

09:41 AM EDT on Thursday, May 19, 2005

BY MICHAEL JANUSONIS
Journal Arts Writer

If one of your coworkers or classmates looks a mite bleary-eyed this morning, it might not be insomnia but a strong case of Star Wars-itis.

Star Wars fans were out in force last night for a rousing opening sendoff to George Lucas' final chapter in his six-series space saga, Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith.

The eagerly awaited film first flashed onto screens at 12:01 this morning at several theaters. In some of them -- Providence Place, Showcase Seekonk 1-10, Showcase Warwick, Showcase Warwick Mall, Showcase North Attleboro -- it was shown on up to five screens with showtimes spaced five minutes apart beginning at 12:01 a.m.

Advance ticket sales for the midnight shows at National Amusements' Showcase Cinemas had been going extremely well with "sellouts and near sellouts for many of the shows," according to spokeswoman Jennifer Maguire Hanson, reached at the theater chain's corporate offices in Dedham, Mass., yesterday morning. "We started advance ticket sales April 15 and we have seen a really terrific response so far," she said.

Maguire added, "For many of those who didn't want to be sleep-deprived, however, I want to assure them that there are still plenty of seats available for other shows [today] and through the weekend."

For its midnight show early this morning, Regal's Swansea Stadium 12 cinemas had some of the Star Wars characters in costume in the lobby. Even more of them are scheduled to turn up during today's later performances as well, according to assistant manager Walter Reed. They're from the Echo Base Rebels group, fans of the film series who make appearances in Star Wars regalia at events from Maine to Maryland.

Thirteen theaters from Fall River to Stonington, Conn., are showing the film on a total of 41 screens. Most shows begin within a half-hour of each other, so long lines or sellouts are not expected to be a problem. (Check for showtimes in today's Lifebeat listings.)

Where's the best place to see Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith? Well, if you don't mind hearing the soundtrack from your car radio, the Rustic Triview Drive-in in North Smithfield has the biggest movie screen in Rhode Island. And if that's not enough of an inducement, the Rustic has Star Wars playing on a double-feature bill with the Boston Red Sox romantic comedy Fever Pitch. That's an intergalactic win for Star Wars and a World Series win for the Sox.