KHAAAAAN! The Musical

KHAAAAAN! The Musical (2010)

by Bryan Colley and Tara Varney
Music by Tim Gillespie and Michelle Cotton

Will the space crew stop the wrathful Khan before he exacts his revenge? Of course they will... time is on their side. Go back to the future in this 1980s rock-and-roll Enterprise.  Set phasers to "laughter" and be prepared for a time-warping musical comedy.

Starring
Jay Coombes as Captain Kirk
Kevin Albert as Bones
Bob Grove as Spock
Steven Eubank as Khan
Amy Hurrelbrink as Val


REVIEWS:
 
Roddenberry Pie's 'Khan!'-quers Fringe!
by timlovestheatre, KC Stage

5 out of 5. Let's be honest -- the KC Fringe Festival is not the usual KC area theatre. The average KC produced show has at minimum a full week, night and day, in the space to rehearse the actors, work out the lighting cues, test the sound and make sure the props and costumes are 100%.

The average KC Fringe show gets about four minutes.

Okay, maybe it is a LITTLE more than that, but it is a ridiculously small amount of time with extremely restricted resources. Not to mention that the actors, producers and technicians are spread thin. That was evident in tonight's opening of "Khan! The Musical" Okay, there was a little problem with an opening sound cue. It happens -- It's Fringe. The audience understood and even appreciated it. This one hiccup and some wandering props did not prevent my inner theatre nerd and sci-fi geek from squealing with glee at the musical adventures of Captain Kirk and his crew as they faced the threat of Khan!

Jay Coombes as Captain Kirk gave us the flavor of Shatner's version without hit. ting. us. over. the. he-ad. with it. He also proved amazingly spry. The character Spock is expected to be wooden and emotionless, Bob Grove as Spock, managed to give us that but keep us interested. Kevin Albert as Bones provides us with one of the most memorable lines of the show. (One that will not be a big surprise to "Trek" fans, but done in a way they've never seen before.) Albert does a great job of evoking the curmudgeonly character while representing the sole voice of reason. The tiny kitsch dealing director/choreographer/actor Steven Eubank takes on the pectorally-gifted Khan and provides not so much of an impersonation but an evoking of a certain Corinthian leather lover. If you aren't smiling when he is rocking out on stage- well, something is wrong with you. Amy Hurrelbrink appears in multiple roles to represent the females and more of this mini-universe. Hurrelbrink is so often seen about town as a fantastic dancer/choreographer that we forget what a talented singer and comedienne she is, and she's got good pipes too!

Tim Gillespie and Michelle Cotton produced some interesting songs. The lyrics were cute, interesting and loaded with almost as many jokes as the script. I lost some of the words because the music was louder than the un-miked singers. I've been told the Off Center Theatre had the acoustics of a brick- now I know it is true. I could have done with a little less of the meager instrumentation and more of the singing onstage.

Tara Varney and Bryan Colley gave us some good laughs and puns. This same team brought us "Lingerie Shop" and "Jesus Christ: King of Comedy" in previous festivals. Their symbiosis seems to be getting stronger as this show felt tighter than previous work. It still feels like they need a little help in ending a scene and have a tendency to dump exposition on us in double scoops.

There were some creative special effects provided by cast and crew that helped the action onstage and were almost an act unto themselves. (The "transporter" is a riot!) This was all aided by some creative use of lighting provided by Shane Rowse. There are still many more chances to catch this show at this year's Fringe. I have no doubts that the team will work out the kinks and by end of the week this will be a powerhouse show! Khan is a great show and I really look forward to Rodenberry Pie's "next generation".


Khan! The Musical
by Sweet Science, KC Stage

Lots of laughs and lots of good inside jokes, if you're a Trekker (and if you don't know that term, then you're not one ...) make this show a must see if you've seen any Star Trek, or lived though the 80's, know someone who lived through the 80s or ever wore any of the clothes to an 80s party. But if you know Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan - and even better, if you know "Space Seed" (the episode of that gave us Khan to begin with) then you'll hoot and scream like the audience did on Tuesday night. This show is a delight. Even the non-sci-fi folks loved it. So, what are you waiting for?



Khaaaaan! the Musical
by tribblemom, KC Stage

If you are looking for Shakespeare, this is not the show for you. If you are looking for an hour of fun and tongue-in-cheek comedy, this is the show to see. In Khaaaaan! the Musical, the show pokes fun at aging, our past entertainment, and mullets. I am not saying that the acting is professional, or that the script is Tony quality, but the cast having fun is worth it. I especially enjoyed the "Kirk" and the dancing. The three part harmony between the bridge crew was marvelous. The dance moves were fun. The performance of Kevin Eubanks as Kaan of a Hair Band Rock Star was b***hing great! Set your coordinates for Off Center Theatre and remember that you may be hit with a phazer blast set to stun. If you are not a Star Trek TOS, don't worry, you will still have a great hour of fun.

(Bob Grove, Jay Coombs, Kevin Albert. Photo: Bryan Colley)

 

(Bob Grove, Amy Hurrelbrink, Kevin Albert, Jay Coombs, Steven Eubank. Photo: Bryan Colley)

(Jay Coombs, Amy Hurrelbrink, Bob Grove, Steven Eubank, Kevin Albert. Photo: Bryan Colley)



EXCERPT:

KHAN:
Who are you? You are not one of my people!

KIRK:
No, I am Captain James T. Kirk, of the Starship Enterprise. We came from the 23rd century to halt your reign of hair.

KHAN:
My what?

KIRK:
You’re holding everyone hostage in a popular culture that has already lasted thirty years too long. They’re not able to make up their own minds about how to feel, because you won’t allow them to grow up and mature past this ridiculous macho posturing.

KHAN:
Ridiculous? Posturing? Captain Kirk, is it? I assure you, all is well here. Take a look around. My people are happy.

KIRK:
Khan, the entire population has been intellectually enslaved. You rule a planet of emotionally-stunted children.

VAL:
Hey!

SPOCK:
Hey!

KIRK:
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

KHAN:
You misunderstand! I provide a necessary service to my people. They are peaceful, gentle.

KIRK:
But they are all the same! The same clothes, the same dancing, the same—

KHAN:
Yes, I dictate the style, the music, the clothes, the vernacular. But this is because when we all share the same culture, there is no dissention. Gentlemen, look around. There’s no war here, no hatred of any kind. My people only want to party down. Right?

VAL:
Totally!

KHAN:
See? I have created a utopian society! So what if it’s based on hair products and screaming guitar solos? I am the most righteous dude who has ever ruled!

KIRK:
But it’s hollow, meaningless, just like your anthem. You’re living in the past. Your power can’t last. Time marches on, and you must march with it. 

KHAN:
[mocking Kirk] Time marches on, you must march with it.

KIRK:
If you were a true leader, you wouldn’t force your people to stagnate just so they can sing your praises a little longer. 

KHAN:
They can sing your praises a little longer.

KIRK:
You would point them to the future, prepare them for life on their own terms. 

KHAN:
Prepare them for life on their own terms.

KIRK:
Stop repeating everything I say!

KHAN:
Stop repeating everything I say!

KIRK:
That’s really annoying!

KHAN:
That’s really annoying!

KIRK:
Stop it!

KHAN:
Stop it!

KIRK:
KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!