Celebrate 50 years of 'Star Trek' in Rosemont
On Sept. 8, 1966, a colorful TV show with a multi-ethnic cast began its three-year voyage on NBC. Fifty years later, "Star Trek" endures not only as a pop-cultural icon, but as a global cultural and educational touchstone.
Suburban fans can celebrate Gene Roddenberry's optimistic vision of the future together next weekend in Rosemont.
Creation Entertainment's 50 Year Mission Tour arrives Friday at the Westin O'Hare, 6100 N. River Road, for three days of convention fun. Capt. James T. Kirk himself leads a roster of guests that include some of the franchise's biggest stars - and some of its biggest fans.
"We need 'Star Trek' in this kind of current more than ever," says College of Lake County professor John Tenuto, who, along with wife and fellow professor Maria Jose Tenuto, will be presenting two seminars at the convention. The Tenutos are avid "Trek" fans who incorporate pop culture into their sociology lessons at the Grayslake college and give lectures at fan events across North America. They say the franchise is as vital as ever.
John points to this summer's 13th "Trek" movie, "Star Trek Beyond," as being particularly relevant in our tumultuous times. He says the film asks, "What does a world after a war look like? What will our children inherit?"
This 50th anniversary coincides with the 30th anniversary of "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," the popular 1986 film which sees Kirk and crew travel back in time to save the whales. "The Voyage Home" is also the subject of one of the Tenutos' two presentations. Attendees will see material from the archive of writer (and "Wrath of Khan" director) Nicholas Meyer, see photos from the production and, most intriguingly, hear about the film's origins as an Eddie Murphy vehicle. (Spock might call that "highly illogical.")
The Tenutos also will dive deep into the world of "Star Trek" collectibles, particularly from the early period of the franchise's fandom before "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" premiered in 1979 - the period when merchandising helped keep the canceled TV show alive.
Of course, the Tenutos know the main draw next weekend will be the celebrity guests, and John says the Rosemont event will offer fans more face-to-face time with their favorites than they might experience at larger, all-encompassing conventions. "Big, but not so big - it feels like a family," he says.
William Shatner leads the fleet of "Trek" actors giving panel discussions, posing for photo ops and signing autographs. At age 85, Shatner shows no signs of slowing down - his recent cross-country motorcycle trip included a stop in Aurora, and Chicago was among the cities where he performed a one-man show called "Shatner's World: We Just Live In It." His Saturday appearance at the convention will include autograph and photo sessions for $100 apiece, as well as a stage performance billed by Creation Entertainment as a "moving and hilarious" experience.
Also appearing live at the convention will be "Star Trek: The Next Generation" cast members Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. Riker), Gates McFadden (Dr. Crusher), LeVar Burton (Lt. LaForge), Michael Dorn (Lt. Worf), Marina Sirtis (Counselor Troi) and John de Lancie (Q).
"Deep Space Nine" fans won't feel left out; they can chat with Rene Auberjonois (Odo), Armin Shimerman (Quark), Nana Visitor (Kira), Chase Masterson (Leeta), Max Grodenchik (Rom), Jeffrey Combs (Weyoun) and Andrew Robinson (Garak).
And the roster doesn't end there. See all the scheduled stars and guest stars from all incarnations of "Star Trek" at creationent.com.
A special treat for "Deep Space Nine" fans awaits Friday night when several cast members, including "Deep Space Nine's" Ferengi duo of Shimerman and Grodenchik, perform a Las Vegas-style musical comedy act they're calling the Star Trek Rat Pack. Guests who purchase the Gold, Silver or Copper all-inclusive weekend admission passes can see it for free; tickets are $30 for all other convention attendees.
Of course, conventions are great places for the attendees themselves to be the stars, and Saturday's costume contest is the best way to show how much you grok Spock.
Fifty years after its maiden voyage, is "Star Trek" in danger of disappearing? The Tenutos don't think so.
Maria Jose says she hears from a lot of fans who are rediscovering UPN's "Star Trek: Enterprise," which aired from 2001-2005, thanks to Netflix. At conventions, she sees families of all ages and ethnicities. In January, on the cusp of the franchise's 51st anniversary, the new Bryan Fuller series "Star Trek: Discovery" will premiere on CBS, which puts "Star Trek" right back where it belongs, according to John - television.
"A world without 'Star Trek' is like a world without Superman, or a world without Mickey Mouse," John says.
"'Star Trek' is a world I want to live in."
"Star Trek" convention
What: Creation Entertainment's 50 Year Mission Tour
When: Friday, Sept. 9, through Sunday, Sept. 11.
Where: Westin O'Hare, 6100 N. River Road, Rosemont
Tickets: $30 Friday; Saturday and Sunday are sold out. Weekend passes are $150 for general admission; $499 Gold Package admission includes reserved seating, complimentary autographs from select guests, complimentary admission to Rat Pack performance, karaoke party, dance party; and more
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