OKC Phil Pops concert offers Sci-Fi spectacular with George Takei
(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Pops concert presents “Sci-Fi Spectacular,” with music from some of the world’s greatest science fiction movies and television programs, featuring host and narrator George Takei, for two performances on Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2, 2013, at 8pm at the OKC Civic Center. Takei and Pops conductor Jack Everly will be joined by Kristen Plumley, featured vocalist, and members of the Oklahoma City Pops Chorale.
George Takei has more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television guest-starring roles to his credit. He acts as host and narrator for the program which includes music from the Star Trek television series and the subsequent movie scores. The music also includes selections from Star Wars, E.T. : The Extra-Terrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and a medley of vintage television and movie music titled “Lost in Syndication.”
Prior to the concert, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will offer patrons a selection of sweet treats and punch in the lobby to celebrate the orchestra's 25th Anniversary season. Concertgoers are encouraged to come in costume, dressed as their favorite Star Trek or Star Wars character. Star Trek characters from “Starship Ajax” will attend. “Starship Ajax” is a web-based project of OKC-based filmmakers who have re-created the bridge of the Starship Enterprise as seen in the original television series. This set will be featured in the Civic Center lobby along with members of the cast of the web series.
Recognized worldwide as a member of the original Star Trek cast, Takei has become a social media phenomenon and recently developed a new musical titled “Allegiance,” an epic story of family, love and patriotism set during the Japanese American internment of World War II. He has been recognized for both his personal and political activism as well as his achievements as an actor.
Jack Everly is the principal Pops conductor of the Indianapolis and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa, Canada), and the Music Director of the National Memorial Day Concert and A Capitol Fourth on PBS. He is a frequent guest conductor in Oklahoma City in addition to guest appearances with orchestras in Pittsburgh, Ft. Worth, Edmonton and Toronto.
Vocalist Kristen Plumley is a soprano with a sparkling voice to match her personality. She has performed a broad spectrum of works from Mozart to Gilbert & Sullivan. Called “Met-worthy” by the Dallas Morning News, Plumley makes her first appearance with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Tickets to the Sci-Fi Spectacular range from $15 to $65 and are available by calling 405-TICKETS (842-5387) or 297-CCMH. Get tickets online at www.okcphilharmonic.org. The OKC Civic Center is located in downtown Oklahoma City at 401 N. Walker.
The Oklahoman Pops Series is presented with support from The Oklahoma Publishing Company (OPUBCo) and these performances are made possible by a partnership with the Devon Energy Corporation. Additional support is provided by the Allied Arts Foundation and the Oklahoma Arts Council.
October 24, 2013