George Takei2010 is a big year for the Washington Shakespeare Company, a playhouse dedicated to presenting classical theater in bold and innovative ways. This year marks WSC’s 20th anniversary and a change in venue, as it moves from Crystal City to its new digs in Rosslyn’s Artisphere complex. WSC will celebrate these events on Saturday at the Rosslyn Spectrum with a gala that includes a one-night-only staging of By Any Other Name: An Evening of Shakespeare in Klingon. The event will feature a special appearance by George Takei, who played Sulu in the original Star Trek series and in several of the feature films.
“He graciously worked us into his schedule, which is maniacally busy,” said WSC Artistic Director Christopher Henley of Takei’s participation.
By Any Other Name came about through Mark Okrand, a renowned linguist and theater enthusiast who serves on WSC’s Board of Directors. In the early 80s, Paramount Pictures hired Okrand to create the Klingon language for the Star Trek films, and in 1985, he authored The Klingon Dictionary. Through his work in the Star Trek universe, Okrand became friends with Takei, which eventually led to the actor’s participation in Saturday’s gala. Saturday’s cast will perform scenes and speeches in both English and Klingon from Hamlet, Julius Caesar and Much Ado About Nothing. The evening will also include discussions and Q&A sessions with Okrand and Takei.
