By Steve Winter
LAS VEGAS — “Star Trek” boldly goes where no television franchise has gone before as the Rio Suites in Las Vegas morphs into a dynamic half-century celebration of what is arguably the most popular and famous science fiction story arc ever created.
Star Trek 50, by Creation Entertainment, brings together more than a hundred characters from the entire 50-year run ranging from the now iconic credited cast of each series to dozens of minor characters who made small, but highly memorable, appearances. Add such legendary guest stars as Sally Kellerman, Gregory Itzin, Kirstie Alley and others, and Star Trek 50 has unquestionably captured the record for most “Star Trek” alumni ever in any one place.
The convention is actually a giant collection of all things “Star Trek,” paying homage to everything from the five television shows to “The Animated Series” to the 13 feature films. It celebrates each with memorabilia, art, set designs and two full rooms of genre-related vendors selling signed scripts, show props, T-shirts, collectibles and even makeup.
“Who would have thought that this little show that struggled in the ratings for three years would have developed into this phenomenon,” said Access Hollywood Film Segment Producer Scott Mantz, who doubles as an Emcee for Star Trek 50. “This show has the best fan base – even better than ‘Star Wars’ – because they are so passionate and devoted to the genre. At the end of the day, ‘Star Trek’ is all about the stories … they are messages and allegories for the time that still holds up well today.”
Demonstrating the passion for those stories are what could perhaps be described as the real stars of Star Trek 50: the fans. More than 20 percent of all attendees roam the show hallways in full “Trek” regalia, ranging from Starfleet officers and unwittingly doomed “red-shirted” security personnel to fully-adorned Klingons, Andorians, Cardassians, Trill and Borg. “Cos-players” recreate characters with flawless replicas of Khan, Seven of Nine, Lt. Commander Data and Counselor Deanna Troi.
Throughout the day, fans line up – and in many cases shell out a fistful of dollars – for autographs and photos with the stars. The Star Trek Signing Room featured many of the secondary cast of characters who appeared throughout the series, including “Deep Space Nine” characters Rom, Leeta, Gowron and Martok, as well as relatively unknown actors who made one-off appearances vital to the story.
The most popular attractions are the panel discussions, which focus on a specific aspect of “Star Trek” lore. Wednesday’s feature on the main stage was all about “Star Trek: Enterprise,” the final installment of the television series, featuring actors John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox), Gary Graham (Vulcan Ambassador Sovol), Dominic Keating (Malcolm Reed) and Connor Trinneer (Trip Tucker).
When the lights power down at the end of the day, the action continues at Quark’s Bar as Ferengei bartenders serve 21st century versions of Romulan Ale, Saurian Brandy and Klingon Raktaginos.
The Las Vegas Star Trek Convention runs from Aug. 3 -7, 2016.
Stay with WTOP contributors Steve Winter and Kenny Fried for updates from the convention.
Steve Winter and Kenny Fried are WTOP contributors who work for Brotman|Winter|Fried, a Sage Communications Company.
Watch a video of the 50th Star Trek convention in Las Vegas:
