Dish-Houston

RARE 1973 PHONE CHAT GIVES INCITE INTO THE BIRTH OF STAR TREK

Former Houston radio and television personality Scott Arthur was spring cleaning recently when he came across a telephone interview he did with the “Father” of Star Trek in 1973.

“It’s 40 years ago almost to the day.”Scott said. “I was a young DJ at WARM radio in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Mr. Roddenberry was scheduled to speak at a local college and I got his phone number and set up an interview to promote the event in advance.” said the Texas Radio Hall of Famer.

To put this in context, the original Star Trek series (Star Trek TOS) ran 79 episodes on NBC from 1966-1969 and then was canceled. The interview took place about the time determined “Trekkies” began a nationwide campaign petitioning the network to bring the series back to TV. It seems the show began to build a cult following after it aired in prime time and was banished to “re-run land”. The network chiefs felt the series and the concept had no future … that was 12 feature films and 5 separate TV series ago. This multi-million dollar franchise also includes Star Trek comics, merchandise, novels and even games.

“Before I began rolling tape ….he told me that the TV set was going to be the center of our lives. He said, your TV will have a typewriter in front of it – and open up the world to you. Just a glimpse of his genius and vision.” said Scott. “With all the hype of the new Trek Movie – this is fun to listen to. He shares how they invented the Spock character and was told to hide him, what the woman’s lib movement forced him to do  … and what inspired the Transporter.”

Listen to the entire interview here: 

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR: SCOTT ARTHUR

The first thing you notice about Robert is his voice. It’s deep and rich and very reminiscent of the late Robert Goulet. If you’re a fan of audio books, the voice might be familiar to you because he has narrated quite a number of best sellers.

Houston has heard this voice before ….Petkoff, an award winning stage actor, voice actor and singer, last appeared in the Bayou City reprising his Broadway role of Sir Robin in the TUTS production of Spamalot. Now, in CAMELOT, he graces the stage as Arthur, the man who will be king. Was it challenging as an actor to transform from the goofy version of the classic to the real deal?

 “I admit that there were times in rehearsal that we’d look at each other with a sparkle in our eye and go a little astray,” Petkoff chuckled.

CAMELOT, Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece, is one of history’s greatest love stories. A sumptuous tale set in a land where honor and chivalry reign. The musical follows the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere, and the young Lancelot. With one of Broadway’s most enchanting scores featuring the hauntingly romantic If Ever I Would Leave You, I Loved You Once in Silence, and Follow Me, CAMELOT is the definitive musical theatre fable.

Petkoff’s seasoned career shows that the California born actor is very much at home on stage performing Shakespeare or sitting behind a microphone reading books …but in the last decade he has become a Broadway musical star.  Since he had no musical training, how did that come about?

“A director saw me playing Hamlet and asked if I would audition for a singing role. I thought –what the heck, I sing in the shower all the time – why not?” 

His performance hit all the right notes and Petkoff’s musical career was launched in 2002 when he got the role of George in the Chicago production of Sunday in the Park with George.

He was pleasantly surprised at the reaction. “I told my agent to start booking me in musicals …and here I am.” he said. Since then, Petkoff’s Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Spamalot, and most recently Anything Goes with Joel Grey.

In CAMELOT Arthur sort of “sing-talks” his musical part. Are you comfortable with that?

“Absolutely,” Petkoff says enthusiastically. “The part was originally written for Richard Burton … much more a Shakespearean actor than a singer. This (sing-talk) style allows the actor to actually act out the song in the moment and lets the audience feel the passion. It also worked well for Richard Harris in the 1967 movie version."

Speaking of those two iconic King Arthurs, do you base your performance on either of their portrayals?

“Part of them creeps into whom you are on stage,” said Petkoff. “I saw Burton do it early in my career and it influenced me greatly. And I sometime occasionally slip into my James Mason impression. But for the most part – it’s my interpretation.”

The story of CAMELOT is more than half a century old. What about it has made it a classic that never seems to get old?

Petkoff smiles as he says,

“I think the idea of royalty still attracts us. And the story is really about a guy who won the lottery. He pulled a sword out of a stone and was allowed to rule a country. Arthur was an everyman – a good man with a sense of humor and a youthful awkwardness. We can all relate as we watch him grow into becoming a wise king.” 

CAMELOT runs from January 22 through February 3 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. An audio described performance is available Sunday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

By DISH Contributor Scott Arthur

Children searching the Houston skies for something magical this time of the year might just see a flying boy before they spot a red sled. With a burst of fairy dust, Peter Pan lands at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for a dozen days beginning December 11. Somewhere on stage in between the Carol of Christmas and the Cracker of Nuts, try to make time to see a holiday show where you probably don’t already know all the dialogue and music. As part of TUTS’ “A Lot To Love” season, Peter Pan is a unique, family friendly attraction of spectacle and fantasy. The thrill of flying, timeless magical moments and a captivating hook promises to mesmerize young and old alike. Highly recommended!

As an early Christmas offering, we’re gifted with a legendary performer portraying a legendary character. The ever sparkling Tony Award nominee Cathy Rigby returns to play the elusive Pan. Her early days of gymnastics anchored by decades of theatrical and vocal experience allow her to bring Peter to life on stage as no one else has. When she dons the iconic outfit and takes flight, the years also seem to fly away. Rigby is spry, energetic, and thoroughly delightful. As an added bonus, some of Houston’s Humphreys School of Musical Theatre students are cast as supporting actors in the Lost Boys ensemble.  I’ve seen the previews – and I can’t wait.

And just like Tinkerbelle zips from place to place, allow me to briefly land on another subject. Peter Pan features “lost boys.” As a member of the Star of Hope Homeless Mission staff I see lost boys and girls every day. They seem especially lost over the holidays.

In Neverland the kids don’t want to grow up. Homeless children sometimes have to grow up too quickly or are robbed of their childhood because they are constantly moving from school to school, neighborhood to neighborhood and shelter to shelter. I can easily imagine some homeless families serving a “pretend feast” for dinner ….sitting in front of cold beans and rice …hearing the TIC TOC of approaching doom. They don’t have an ageless boy to save them …but they do have YOU. And I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have contributed to the Star of Hope Mission during the years – and encourage those who have yet to support us. Your contributions help us offer the tools to change lives ….even save lives. Don’t stop. Your ARE making a difference. Clap if you believe!    

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

You have GOT to see FELA!                                  

There are only a few more days to experience emotion, courage, dance, politics and music all in one interactive, electrifying show.

FELA!  Is a hybrid musical that grabs your eyes and ears in the opening moments and soon touches your heart and soul as the story of the rebellious world and life of Afrobeat legend, Nigerian musician and Human Rights activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti unfolds.

The audience is immediately part of the performance as we play the patrons of FELA’s popular night club called “Shrine.” We are asked (told) to sit, stand, repeat and   applaud – all of which we’d willingly do anyway as a reaction to this unique and compelling multi – media musical. The energy onstage is non-stop. You’ll leave the theater excited and inspired. Proudly produced by Houston’s Society for the Performing Arts, this show is a hit and not to be missed.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Ticket prices range from $30-$80 and may be purchased online, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St.

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

Logan Keslar is one of those performers that musical theater teachers point to and say “He did it and so can you.” The talented Mr. Keslar has been to Broadway and back – well back for just a while – as he tours the country in the perennial hit musical comedy La Cage Aux Folles opening April 24^th  at the Hobby Center.

Born in Liberty, Texas he quickly gravitated to Houston and the arts.

“I was drawn to dancing when I was just a few years old. Heck - I was dancing in kindergarten.  My Mom took me to all the classic musicals and really encouraged my interests.” he said. He attended the Humphreys School of Musical Theater and graduated from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts. “I worked with Tony Award winners, gained confidence and learned how to audition.”

And then ….like everyone else with grease paint in their veins, he moved to New York to be in big time show biz.

“I got my equity card right away. And I was lucky; I knew people, had a few connections and started working after a very short time.”

When Logan was all of 20 years old, he leaped over the pond and was selected to be a singing, dancing gang member in London’s 50^th Anniversary West End production of West Side Story. Four years later he was dancing on Broadway.

Direct from the great white way comes La Cage Aux Folles. The show that will not and SHOULD NOT die. The plot is classic: it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical and  Best Score. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. And Logan was part of it. In the touring version of La Cage, Logan continues his Broadway role as Bitelle, one of the six (men in drag) Cagelles - the corps de ballet of the hit musical.

“We’re the only dancing in the show. It’s fun but sometimes exhausting.  It takes almost an hour to put on all that make up and the wig! I have a heavy beard and have to wait until just before going onstage to shave.”

In the 2010 Broadway show, TV star Kelsey Grammer played Georges, in Houston, the role is taken over by Hollywood icon George Hamilton. Different actors different interpretations? “Yes. The energy and style of each lead changes the show. Kelsey led the train. He took charge. George is one of the most authentic and kind men. And he’s really relaxed. Christopher Sieber, who played Georges on Broadway, is now Albin, opposite Hamilton – and he’s hilarious.”

Keslar is playing his hometown. Are you nervous?

“No, all my family friends and teachers are going to be there to support me. I just want them to have a good time.”

Sounds like it will be hard NOT to have a good time. The TUTS production of La Cage Aux Folles runs April 24^th through May 6. For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com