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Dave Mason

‘Star Trek’ version of opera makes Angeles laugh

By Capt. Jeremy Kranz

LOS ANGELES — Janice Willcocks laughed so hard that she had tears.

I knew how she felt. The USS Angeles founder and I were watching the “Star Trek” version of Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio.” It was the funniest opera I have ever seen.

Janice and I saw it Feb. 8 during a USS Angeles away mission to Occidental College in Los Angeles, which served as the launching pad for this interstellar voyage. It’s not that unusual for an opera. They’re routinely re-themed to take place in different times and places. I once saw a video of “La Boheme,” which took place in space.

The Pacific Opera Project’s production at Occidental College was re-themed for the original “Star Trek” series and presented mostly in English, even though Mozart’s original opera is in German. 

Before the show began, a recording of “Star Trek” music was played outside. Additionally, once we sat down, tribbles would often move from one side of the stage to the other, cooing as they moved.

As the music began, we saw the orchestra in red shirts.

On stage, the baritone vocalist was a Klingon, played by Andrew Potter. He was wonderful and had a strong presence. Instead of the Spanish nobleman Belmonte, as in the original opera, we have Captain James T. Belmonte, played by Brian Cheney. The transformation was similar for the other characters.

Here is how the scene was initially set, according to the program: “The feared Klingon leader, Chancellor Selim, had captured three members of the Starfleet crew …” With this show, we got new experiences with Kirk, Spock and Uhura. This production even added a scene where the captain fights the Gorn. 

In one scene, the chancellor needs an engineer to fix his ship, so Belmonte disguises himself as an engineer and puts on a heavy Scottish accent. 

Not only were the in-jokes and references well executed, but the show is played in a tongue-in-cheek tone. 

These are professional performers, and they didn’t skimp on quality even though they knew this was a comic opera. Even with all the humor, the singing was top-notch.

Several of the funniest moments came when Cheney as Capt. Belmonte broke the fourth wall, looked at the audience and made us laugh.

Everyone left happy. I’ll never be able to watch any other version of this opera without laughing, as it will remind me of this performance. I strongly recommend you view the original or the recent version of this opera.

You can do that by searching YouTube for “Pacific Opera Project Abduction From the Seraglio.” By the way, this would make a great watch party.

Los Angeles has more than one opera company. Los Angeles Opera performs downtown at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. But even though the company takes liberties with its operas, it’s not as bold as the Pacific Opera Project.

Capt. Jeremy Kranz is first officer of the USS Angeles. The Region 4 website welcomes stories about activities from all of the region‘ ‘s chapters. Please email stories and photos, which are at least 1,200 pixels wide, to Dave Mason, the region’s chief of communications, at davemason1701@gmail.com.

The cast is on stage for its curtain calls after the “Star Trek” version of Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio.” USS Angeles members saw the opera Feb. 8 at Occidental College in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jeremy Kranz / Region 4 / USS Angeles)

Jeremy Kranz and Janice Willcocks go to Occidental College to see a “Star Trek” version of Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio.” (Photo courtesy Jeremy Kranz)

Audience members stand in front of the stage during intermission for a “Star Trek” costume contest. A woman who came as Guinan (not pictured) won. (Photo by Jeremy Kranz / Region 4 / USS Angeles).

SFI News
Dave Mason

Region 4 hosts summit during Loscon

By Commodore Dave Mason

LOS ANGELES – An estimated 30-plus fans heard STARFLEET officers and guests talk about the future, past and present of “Star Trek” during the first Region 4 summit ever held as part of Loscon.

Other panels at the Nov. 28 summit at the Hilton near the Los Angeles International Airport covered “Star Trek” props and costumes, as well as an introduction to STARFLEET.

Admission to Loscon, the longtime fan-operated convention, included admission to the summit, which meant many fans were introduced to STARFLEET.

The biggest audience in the large ballroom came for the panel on “Star Trek” movies and episodes. I led the panel, which also featured Rear Adm. Ron Coleman, who was the regional coordinator at that time, and journalist Larry Nemecek and composer David Raiklen, two people who regularly talk about “Star Trek” at conventions.

David traced the evolution of music in “Star Trek” from its dramatic beginnings in the original series to the more subtle approach in the “Next Generation.” Executive Producer Rick Berman said he didn’t want the “Next Generation” to sound like TOS.

Larry and I agreed we preferred the music in the original series, and I noted the music served as a cue to the audience when Capt. Kirk was saying something heroic. William Shatner’s dramatic pauses allowed for strong music during speeches such as the “Risk … is our business” talk that Kirk gives in the episode “Return to Tomorrow.”

Panelists pointed out the “Next Generation” had strong music in episodes such as “The Inner Light,” in which Capt. Picard (Patrick Stewart) experiences another lifetime on the planet Kataan and learns to play the Ressikan flute. Another musically enhanced story was “Best of Both Worlds, Part 1 and 2,” in which the Borg assimilate Picard and turn him into Locutus. Ron Jones’ score builds dramatically near the end of the Part 1, right up to Cmdr. Riker (Jonathan Frakes) giving the order to fire on the Borg cube containing Picard/Locutus. The screen then faded to black and the sinister words in white typeface: “To be continued.”

Fans had to wait an excruciating three months to find out what happened next. That marked the start of the “Next Generation” tradition of season-ending cliff hangers.

During the Region 4 Summit, David also discussed music in the 21st-century “Star Trek” movies and TV shows.

And I pointed out Frakes, who’s had a long career directing “Star Trek” movies and episodes, helmed episodes of the new “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” series. At Creation Entertainment’s “Star Trek” convention in Las Vegas, Frakes noted the series would have a ship, the USS Athena, and that it was a pleasure working with Oscar-winning star Holly Hunter, who plays Chancellor/Capt. Ake, and Oscar-nominated guest star Paul Giamatti, who plays villain Nus Braka. During interviews, Giamatti described Braka as a pirate. (“Starfleet Academy” premiered Jan. 15, and new episodes stream every Thursday on Paramount+.)

Besides the TV shows, the Region 4 panel discussed the uncertain future of “Star Trek” movies. Paramount has seen several failed efforts since “Star Trek: Beyond” (2016).

Earlier during the summit, Larry and I sat on a panel led by Ron, “What is STARFLEET?” Ron discussed what chapters in STARLFEET do, from their “Star Trek”-related activities to community service. 

Fleet Capt. Tracy Newby, commanding officer of the USS Northern LIghts, led the panel on costuming, which also included Stacy Meyn, Ron, Larry and me.

Tracy and Stacy were also the panelists discussing “Star Trek” props, which they displayed. Those watching the panel such as Capt. Jeremy Kranz, first officer of the USS Angeles, and Cmdr. Richard Cortopassi, chief engineer of the USS Wessex, were invited to come to the panelists’ tables and handle props. (Ron Coleman incidentally is commanding officer of the USS Wessex and is the new STARFLEET chief of operations. Fleet Adm. David Nottage succeeded Ron on Jan. 1 as the regional coordinator.)

The treasures during the props panel varied from phasers from several “Star Trek” productions to bars of gold-pressed latinum.

Besides watching panels, Jeremy assisted with the summit and operated the laptop that showed images on the screen.

The Loscon crew helped us with our audio-visual needs and promoted the summit in its schedule and website. The Region 4/Loscon partnership proved to be a stellar one.

Jeremy Kranz, left, and RIchard Cortopassi listen to Tracy Newby, seated next to Stacy Meyn , discuss “Star Trek” props at the Region 4 Summit. (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Region 4)

Ron Coleman, left, listens as Dave Mason leads the panel “Star Trek: Past, Present and Future” during the Region 4 Summit in November at Loscon. (Photo by Jeremy Kranz / USS Angeles / Region 4)

Phasers from various “Star Trek” productions are displayed during the Region 4 Summit. (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Region 4)

From left, Ron Coleman, Dave Mason and Larry Nemecek discuss “What is STARFLEET?” during a Region 4 Summit panel. (Photo by Jeremy Kranz / USS Angeles / Region 4)

Rear Adm. Ron Coleman, who was then the Region 4 coordinator, discusses starting a chapter in STARFLEET during the Region 4 Summit. On Jan. 1, Fleet Adm. David Nottage started his term as the region’s coordinator. (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Region 4)

Props varying from set pieces and panels to bars of gold-pressed latinum are shown during the Region 4 Summit. (Photo by Dave Mason / USS Angeles / Region 4)

SFI NewsStar Trek News
Dave Mason

Angeles works on ‘Star Trek’ float in Rose Parade

By Commodore Dave Mason

PASADENA — Amanda Payatt stepped on a scaffold high above the ground to reach every “Star Trek” fan’s dream.

A nacelle of the original USS Enterprise.

She was among the USS Angeles members who went to Pasadena on Dec. 30 to work on Paramount Skydance/CBS’ “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade, which took place on New Year’s Day in the same city. Passengers on the float were “Star Trek” actors George Takei (Sulu on the original series), Rebecca Romijn (Number One/Una Chin-Riiley on “Strange New Worlds”), Tig Notaro (Jett Reno on “Discovery” and “Starfleet Academy”) and Karim Diané (Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag (on “Starfleet Academy”).

Fifteen USS Angeles members and guests participated in the work, doing tasks such as cutting and gluing leaves for the captain’s chair on the USS Angeles bridge. Jon Lane and Lisa Sobien also worked directly on the float’s bridge. Lisa glued seeds to cover Mr. Sulu’s helm! As previously mentioned, Amanda worked near the nacelle.

Others helping were members Joe, Cassie and Lili Queen; Ed Millner; Cheryl Templeton; Kristine and Dennis Cherry; Jon’s son Jayden Lane; and I, along with Amanda’s friends. Joe organized the USS Angeles away mission and served as our liaison with Paramount Skydance/CBS. Thank you, Joe!

Paramount Skydance/CBS gave us the royal treatment, setting up a “green room” in the white tent near the Rosemont Pavilion, across from the Rose Bowl. We enjoyed pastries and sodas in the tent and were treated to a surprise: the sudden appearance of Karim Diané, a cast member of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” which will start streaming Jan. 15 on Paramount+. Cassie, our Instagram coordinator, later did a video interview with him in front of the float, and you can find that at the Angeles Instagram page.

Inside the pavilion, we walked around the enormous “Star Trek” float, but were amazed by other floats, which featured everything from a re-creation of a bowling alley to a giant cruise ship. The size was impressive, but so was the attention to detail, right down to the details on the Enterprise bridge. More photos by Angeles members will appear in the Angels Flight, the USS Angeles newsletter, which will feature additional stories. The USS Angeles is a longtime chapter in Region 4 of STARFLEET.

It was a fun morning as we helped to prepare the float, which, besides the Enterprise and the bridge, included transporters, a re-creation of filming site Vasquez Rocks and planets. It was a great way to start the celebration of the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek,” and we enjoyed seeing the float in the parade on New Year’s Day.

Fans work on the USS Enterprise, part of a “Star Trek” float for the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. (Photos by Dave Mason / USS Angeles)

The USS Enterprise comes to life on the “Star Trek” float in time for the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

USS Angeles member Amanda Payatt stands at the top of the giant “Star Trek” float, where she worked near a nacelle of the USS Enterprise.

USS Angeles members Lisa Sobien and Jon Lane, sitting in the captain’s chair, work on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. It’s part of the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

Karim Diané , a member of the “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” cast, visits the food and refreshments tent for volunteers working on the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade.

Volunteers work on the planets on the “Star Trek” float in the Rose Parade.

Joe Queen works on the leaves that will grace the captain’s chair on the “Star Trek” float. Joe is the USS Angeles member who organized the mission to decorate the Rose Parade float.

Cassie Queen, left, and Lili Queen work on putting glue on leaves that will grace the captain’s chair on the “Star Trek” float.