"Star Trek" on the summer stage
"O for a Muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention . . . "
Wait, this isn't Agincourt. And Shakespeare never wrote about aliens and phasers. Indeed, this is a production of "Trek in the Park," in which a Portland, Ore.-based theater group puts on summer stage recreations of the classic 1960s science fiction series "Star Trek."
"Trek in the Park"
Portland, Ore., nestled in the evergreen shadow of Mount Hood, is a place that prides itself on being a little different ... weird, even. So it's not THAT unusual that the brother-sister theater team of Adam and Amy Rosko started "Trek in the Park" four years ago, to see if they could take 40-year-old teleplays and turn them into live theater.
"Trek in the Park"
Jesse Graff, who was Adam Rosko's roommate at the time, recalls being slightly askance at the proposition of "Trek in the Park." But the part of Spock was too good for him to turn down.
"Trek in the Park"
No one takes themselves too seriously here, but boldly going where no theater project has gone before takes a lot of work.
Left: The gallant crew of the Starship Enterprise: Jesse Graff, as Spock, Adam Rosko as Captain Kirk, and Paul Pistey as Dr. McCoy.
"Trek in the Park"
Director-producer Adam Rosko, who also fills the boots of Captain James T Kirk.
"Everything about it still resonates," he told CBS News' Lee Cowan. "The stories are still good. They're still, yeah, campy, but that's part of why we love it."
"Trek in the Park"
Every cast member takes the script seriously, like literature. Just ask Paul Pistey (right) who plays Dr. McCoy.
"You can't come out here and make a mockery of it or people are not going to receive it as well. You have to respect your source material," he told Cowan.
"Trek in the Park"
CBS News went behind the scenes of the latest production of "Trek in the Park," "Journey to Babel," which features Spock's parents: The Vulcan Ambassador Sarek (Paul Guinan) and his human mother Amanda (Anina Bennett).
"Trek in the Park"
There are months of writing, and weeks of rehearsals, and choreography. It's a labor of love. They do everything themselves, and none of them gets paid.
And guess who makes the costumes? Captain Kirk's mom.
Marge Rosko, a Trekkie through and through (she even has the tattoo to prove it) knows every episode - and couldn't be more proud to see her son play Captain Kirk.
"Trek in the Park"
"We do have a rip once in a while or a hem or just something, and I'm here to sew it back up again," said Marge Rosko. "That's what mothers are for!"
"Trek in the Park"
Dana Thompson is featured as Lt. Uhura.
"Trek in the Park"
Peter Dean and the Beam Up Boys provide the musical accompaniment.
"Trek in the Park"
The other-worldly theme song is performed by vocalist Margaux Hash.
"Trek in the Park"
"Trek in the Park" has grown in popularity to where its summer productions now draw close to a thousand fans at every performance - so popular, they had to find a bigger park.
"Trek in the Park"
In "Journey to Babel," which first aired November 17, 1967, the Enterprise carries ambassadors from feuding worlds to a diplomatic conference, only to be the scene of murder!
Left: Kaebel Hashitani is made up as an Andorian.
"Trek in the Park"
Kaebel Hashitani is made up as an Andorian.
"Trek in the Park"
A makeup artist attends to Royal Hebert, playing a Tellarite.
"Trek in the Park"
Jaime Kirk dons the appearance of an Andorian.
"Trek in the Park"
Kaebel Hashitani and Jaime Kirk as Andorians.
"Trek in the Park"
And what would a catered banquet for diplomats be without alien food?
"Trek in the Park"
"Trek in the Park" cast members rehearse how to respond to being hit by a phaser blast.
"Trek in the Park"
Dueling guards.
"Trek in the Park"
"Trek in the Park" is put on in Cathedral Park in Portland, under the St. Johns Bridge.
"Trek in the Park"
The character of Spock - the half-Vulcan, half-human science officer with parent issues - is one of the most memorable creations of "Star Trek" producer Gene Roddenberry.
"Trek in the Park"
The original "Star Trek" TV series, which ran on NBC from 1966-69, was low budget, but "Trek in the Park" is REALLY low budget. Those seats on the Enterprise bridge? They're actually someone's kitchen chairs.
"Trek in the Park"
Spock and the Andorians in "Journey to Babel."
"Trek in the Park"
Ambassador Sarek and a Tellarite argue - a scene which casts suspicion on the Vulcan when the Tellarite later turns up dead.
"Trek in the Park"
Ambassador Sarek (Paul Guinan) finds himself in the middle of an intergalactic crisis.
"Trek in the Park"
A tippling alien ambassador.
"Trek in the Park"
An armed Enterprise guard.
"Trek in the Park"
This fan knows one of the truths of the "Star Trek" canon: Nameless characters wearing red shirts are usually the first to fall prey to an alien threat.
Trek fan Greg Rucka fan told Cowan of "Trek in the Park," "It's gleeful. It is pure and loving and absolutely sincere. And that's what makes it terrific."
"Trek in the Park"
The cast of "Trek in the Park" takes a bow.
"Trek in the Park"
They even get the "Star Trek" font right.
For more info:
- "Trek in the Park" (Atomic Arts)
By CBSNews.com senior editor David Morgan