Trek Article Flashback - this was first published online in 2009
Star Trek stars don't only act on TV or in movies. Big actors like William Shatner, Patrick Stewart & Kate Mulgrew not only command Starships in the deepest regions of space, but also act on the stages on Broadway's great white way.
The iconic sci-fi TV show and feature film series is light years away from New York City's Broadway theater in time and space, but there's a creative connection between the two entertainment worlds. Many of its biggest actors have graced Broadway's stage on the great white way. With J.J. Abram's new Star Trek movie starring Chris Pine as a youthful Captain Kirk coming out in May 2009, moviegoers will see a new cast of actors playing familiar roles. Much as Broadway's stage actors have assumed great roles of Shakespeare to Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber over the years, we'll soon see new faces play classic characters.
The iconic sci-fi TV show and feature film series is light years away from New York City's Broadway theater in time and space, but there's a creative connection between the two entertainment worlds. Many of its biggest actors have graced Broadway's stage on the great white way. With J.J. Abram's new Star Trek movie starring Chris Pine as a youthful Captain Kirk coming out in May 2009, moviegoers will see a new cast of actors playing familiar roles. Much as Broadway's stage actors have assumed great roles of Shakespeare to Sondheim to Andrew Lloyd Webber over the years, we'll soon see new faces play classic characters.
From Captain James T. Kirk William Shatner to Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) to Voyager's own Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), these daring and adventurous starship commanders dazzle us by piloting spaceships amongst the stars, and also wow earthbound Broadway theater audiences for many years.
William Shatner
Before William Shatner became the most famous TV spaceman of all, he commanded audience attention on stage, instead of on television.
The Canadian born actor was classically trained as an actor and performed in the Statford Festival of Canada. He made his Broadway debut in Tamburlaine The Great (1956). In 1958, he appeared in The World of Suzie Wong, opposite France Nuyen, who would later guest star on original Star Trek opposite Shatner in the episode Elaan of Troyius. Finally in 1961, Shatner appeared on Broadway in A Shot In The Dark, a comedy along with Walter Matthau (The Odd Couple) who won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor.
Patrick Stewart
This classy and classically trained British actor performed in theater before he was chosen to play Star Trek: The Next Generation's Captain Jean-Luc Picard and later as Professor Xavier in the X-Men feature films.
Stewart's first Broadway role was in 1971 as Tom Snout in A Midsummer's Night Dream. In 1991, four years after his Star Trek series premiered in television syndication, Stewart began the first of four revivals of Dicken's A Christmas Carol, as a one man play and snagged a 1992 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance/One Person Show for his acting efforts. Most recently, Stewart earned a 2008 Tony Award nomination for his electric performance in the acclaimed rival of Macbeth.
Avery Brooks
Captain Benjamin Sisko of Deep Space Nine has worked extensively in live theater.
In 1979, Brooks appeared on Broadway in Are You Now or Have You Ever Been? Brooks played actor and social activist Paul Robeson in Paul Robeson in 1988, and it was a role which he'd reprise often. Brooks played Robeson at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles, and also at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Brooks played Othello in various Shakespeare productions, including the Folger Shakespeare Festival (1985) and at the Washington Shakespeare Theater in 1990.
Kate Mulgrew
Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew is best known to daytime TV watchers as Mary Ryan in Ryan's Hope, this actress made history by being the first woman to head a Star Trek show as commanding officer.
In 1993, before leading her lost starship safely through the Delta Quadrant, Mulgrew appeared in the Broadway comedy White Liars & Black Comedians as Clea. Mulgrew then played Hesther Saloman on Broadway in Equus - with boy wizard Harry Potter (actor Daniel Radcliffe) playing the fragile Alan Strang.
Scott Bakula
Bakula stars in Star Trek: Enterprise as Captain Jonathan Archer in this prequel series - chronicling a time before Kirk, Spock, the birth of the Federation of Planets and the early days of the space faring Starfleet itself.
Scott Bakula first came to Broadway theater when he understudied in Is There Life After High School? in 1982. In 1983, he played joltin Joe DiMaggio in the musical Marilyn, then finally in 1988 he played two roles in the musical Romance/Romance.
Nana Visitor
In Deep Space Nine, Nana Visitor played Kira Nerys, the tough, but emotionally sensitive Bajoran officer.
Visitor comes from a prominent stage and dancing family - her aunt was the legendary Cyd Charisse. In 1983, she appeared in the smash hit show My One And Only, starring Tommy Tune and Twiggy. Visitor then starred in the revival of the musical Chicago, as Roxie Hart.
Leonard Nimoy
Logical Mr. Spock of Vulcan is also an accomplished Broadway actor and director.
Nimoy's first appearance on the Broadway stage was in Full Circle (1973) - four years after Star Trek finished its original NBC network television run. In 1974 Nimoy appeared in Equus. Finally in 1996, Nimoy worked behind the scenes as director of the play The Apple Doesn't Fall.
Brent Spiner
Android Data is a marvel of technology mixed with the human equation. Actor Brent Spiner brought the mechanical man to life, though before he wore thick pancake make-up and sported blinking circuits, he acted on Broadway.
Spiner first appeared on Broadway in A History Of The American Film as Hank in 1978. He then played Franz in Sunday In The Park With George, starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. In 1997, Spiner earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for his role as John Adams in the musical 1776.
