`Star Trek' Parody Boldly Going On At Aha! Theater

Theater review

"Star Drek: The Musical," story by Nellis and Lisa Anne Glomb; music by David Rodwin. Produced by AHA! Theatre, 2222 Second Ave., 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through Oct. 15. Tickets, $6 per episode, or $10 for both; 728-1375. -----------------------------------------------------------------

The "Star Trek" series are in rerun, the new movie isn't due until November, the latest series until January. What's a Trekker to do?

There is an option: "Star Drek: The Musical," a double bill of irreverent playlets boldly going on at AHA! Theatre.

The program is set up in two "episodes." "Manual Transmissions" is a spoof of classic "Trek," featuring the requisite regulars. "O Captain, My Captain" is a "Next Generation" story with Capt. Picard and crew that also features Kirk, meaning that the two captains are facing off onstage in Seattle for the first time in history, two months before their so-called historic meeting in the upcoming "Star Trek: Generations" movie.

If you're not a "Trek" fan, you may be wondering if this play holds any appeal for you. An honest answer is: Probably. The show is cleverly written and crafted and the songs are witty. But the story is heavily weighted with in jokes. Clearly the writers (story by Nellis and Lisa Anne Glomb, music and lyrics by David Rodwin) know their Trek trivia. The packed house Saturday responded with glee to lines that only fans would understand.

Also, some of the songs are performed at warp speed and it's hard to catch all the lyrics - even for diehard fans.

Nevertheless, the overall plot is accessible enough. Even if your acquaintance is limited to the "Saturday Night Live" skits, you'll get the point.

Maybe you don't immediately realize at the outset of "Manual Transmissions" that the ensign in the red shirt who is assigned to the away team will undoubtedly get killed. (True fans know it's always the unknown ensign in the red shirt who bites it.) That won't stop you from being thrilled by actor Eric Quander's death-scene gospel number. It's a showstopper.

And it's unlikely even non-fans will fail to enjoy the uncanny sendups by Eric Gum and Joe Seefeldt as Kirk and Picard. Their mannerisms, their voices are virtually perfect. (If you haven't seen "Next Generation," just close your eyes and listen to Seefeldt. You'll think, "That's the voice on the Pontiac and GTE commercials." Bingo.)

You don't have to own pointy ears to appreciate Eric Salamon as Spock, who is accidentally turned into a woman by a faulty Transporter. Or to grasp the humor in the "Next Generation" spoof when the mischievous, omnipotent Q beams Kirk in as commander and puts Picard in charge of a Romulan latte stand.

And who knows? Maybe this nifty parody will make you realize what you've been missing.