WHO KILLED CAPTAIN KIRK? to Play at Star Trek Convention, 3/22-25

So who really did kill Captain Kirk or, in this case, William Shatner, the actor who once helmed the captain's chair on the original series of Star Trek? Thespian Production's Who Killed Captain Kirk? seeks to answer this question in a stage play that combines Star Trek fandom with murder-mystery hijinks.

Who Killed Captain Kirk? is a raucous comedy that takes place at a Star Trek convention. All the usual suspects are there: Mr. Spock, Bones, Sulu, Uhura, Scotty-even Kirk himself. Of course, these aren't the actual characters from the show or the actors portraying them, but a band of Trekkies (or Trekkers) dressed up as their favorite crew members from the Starship Enterprise. The star attraction to the Con is none other than William Shatner, the original Captain James Tiberius Kirk. He is making a final appearance before heading off to the seclusion of an uninhabited isle. Unfortunately for Shatner, what the Klingons and Romulans couldn't accomplish over four decades of television and movies someone from his own ship does-that is (gulp!) kill him. (Please be advised that the actual William Shatner was not harmed during the making of this play.) At the plays conclusion, the audience decides whodunit.

"Who Killed Captain Kirk? is not only an homage to the classic sci-fi series, but also a revealing look at some of today's hot button social issues, including immigration and same-sex marriage," said author Paco José Madden. "Just like the original Star Trek, Who Killed Captain Kirk? has a social conscience."

"I'll be playing Pluto. I'm doing this play because I'm a big Voyager fan. Captain Kathryn Janeway inspired me to become an actress. So I'm excited about the show and hope to see you there!" said actor Abby Judd, who plays the Con coordinator.

Fans from across the Trek spectrum, from spinoffs to movies, will find something to enjoy about the play, as it both pays homage to and pokes fun at the world of Trek.

"What I really like about Who Killed Captain Kirk is how it creates a world designed to operate in the same way as the Star Trek universe. Much of it is quite silly, bordering on the absurd. The plot is intriguing, but easily understood. However, at its root the central message of Kirk, as it is in Star Trek, is one of togetherness, unity, and friendship," said director Philip Waller.

Who Killed Captain Kirk? will be performed at the 133rd Street Arts Center from March 23rd through March 25th,2012 and features Heather Harvey, Jonathan Rentler, Abby Judd, Josh Silver, Kayla Dempsey, and Timothy Rodriguez. Directed by Philip Waller. Set Designed by Philip Waller. Written by Paco José Madden.

For more information on Who Killed Captain Kirk?, go the Thespian Production's website at http://thespianproduction.com/whokilledcaptainkirkny.html.

Performances take place at 133rd Street Arts Center, 308 West 133rd Street - 2 Fl, New York, NY 10027 (Between St. Nicholas Ave & Frederick Douglass Blvd)

Performance Schedule:

March 22, 2012 @ 8pm
March 23, 2012 @ 8pm
March 24, 2012 @ 7pm
March 25, 2012 @ 3pm