Generations from across the planet know him as Captain James Tiberius Kirk—the living embodiment of Star Trek since he first took the captain’s chair on the USS Enterprise 50 years ago.
Its been 22 years since William Shatner has been Kirk on the big screen.
But that hasn’t stopped fans from hoping to catch a glimpse of Shatner in J.J. Abrams’ reboot of the Star Trek franchise, “Star Trek Beyond,” due out July 22.
Shatner, who has denied those rumors, has stayed busy over the years, writing, appearing in TV programs, video games and even cutting an album that became a cult favorite.
The 85-year-old Shatner will take the stage at the Fox Tucson Theatre Friday, May 6, performing “Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It ...,” his one-man Broadway show in which he reminiscences about his life — professional and personal. The $56 VIP meet-and-greet sold out within a couple of weeks. As of Monday tickets ranging from $58 to $114 were still available.
“It is sharper, funnier and more meaningful than when it was first on Broadway,” Shatner said in a recent telephone interview. When he walks on stage, he isn’t just telling stories spanning his long career as much as reliving them.
“When you are telling the audience in the first person, it is much more meaningful to the audience and that is something I had to learn,” he said. “I am not telling the story as I am inside of them.”
He admits to mistakes in his long career, but celebrates a life filled with passion.
“That is the story I tell, of the passions of my life and what happened to me along the way,” he said. “I’ve toured it across the United States to electrifying appreciation.”
Those attending his one-man show may be in for a treat—Shatner singing. But don’t expect his 1968 take on “ Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
Instead, he might perform songs from “Has Been,” an album produced and arranged by Ben Folds, who also co-wrote the songs.
“Of all of the stuff I’ve done, it is probably the prime example of what I can write and what I can perform and what a great musician like Ben Folds can do with me,” he said.
Shatner may also perform the song “Real” which was written by country singer Brad Paisley.
The crowds at Shatner shows span several generations.
“Not only is the mother a fan, the child is a fan, the father is a fan and their grandmother,” he said. “I am delighted when whole families come and they all know me.”
The show is drawing a new surprising demographic—children under the age of six.
That’s because Shatner has become the voice behind the rebooted version of “Clangers,” a popular British television show from the 1960s. The series features pink, long-nosed creatures and is aimed at the preschool and the early elementary set.
Shatner narrates the adventures of the space-dwelling Clangers family on the Sprout television network.
“Now I find mothers coming with their babies in their arms along with their 3 year olds, 4 year olds and 5 year olds, saying ‘Look there is the voice of the Clangers!’ ”
