Special feature by Charlie Wall
Star Trek fans have always generously supported charity fundraisers, but never before has a Trek event been staged to directly support a political candidate, at least on a scale that was seen in Cleveland, Ohio, last weekend. Was this a violation of an unwritten "Trek Event Prime Directive"? It is this writer's opinion that no prime directive rules were broken, as this event was more about friendship than anything else.
Billed as "Kate Mulgrew's Cleveland Entertainment Extravaganza," the event was a fundraiser for her husband Tim Hagan, who is running for Governor of Ohio. Promised for the first time on stage together were the entire cast of Voyager, and Kate wearing — and auctioning off — her uniform and boots. Unfortunately, two out of three of those didn't happen, as several cast members had last-minute commitments, and while Kate did auction off the uniform, the captain did not wear it for the crowd. Held August 23-25, the fundraiser was set up to feed off Kate's one-woman show "Tea at Five," an intimate portrait of screen legend Katherine Hepburn. Friday night's event was a dessert reception hosted by Robert Picardo after her evening performance, with Sunday's event being a brunch hosted by Robert Duncan McNeill before her matinee performance. The main event was Saturday with a full day's schedule of entertainment, auctions and a black-tie evening affair.
The play was held at The Cleveland Playhouse, as were the post- and pre-events Friday and Sunday. Friday's event began around 10 p.m. as a stream of well-dressed theatregoers and Trek celebrities gathered in a very nice clubroom inside the large Playhouse. At the event were Robert Picardo as host, Garrett Wang, Tim Russ, John de Lancie and, of course, Kate Mulgrew and husband Tim Hagan. This night was about as political as the weekend was going to get, with Tim Hagan giving a nice speech mixing issues, family, friends and a little Star Trek. "I think wherever you are, Gene Roddenberry's great philosophical view of life is what politics in many ways is all about, and that is simply a sense of the fragileness of life and the journey of life," Hagan said as he went on to thank family, friends, staff and guests for coming. He specifically mentioned Johnny (Ethan) Phillips not being able to attend, as he had become a dear friend over the three years Hagan had been on the set making him feel welcome.
Saturday was the main event beginning with a daytime program not unlike a small convention. First, however, was the press gathering in a small room just off the main hall where the stage was set up. As we walked in, the press were greeted by Hagan, then we were free to roam around and interview all the gathered Trek stars. Asked "First Lady"-type questions from one reporter, Kate answered what sort of involvement on social and health issues she be involved with if her husband were elected, including Alzheimer's disease. "I've spent a great deal of time working for Alzheimer's, my mother has Alzheimer's, so it's of great concern to me," was her response. "I've helped raise over $2 million for that organization. Domestic violence, education and foster care are some of the other issues we are passionate about." Garrett was also recently involved politically as he told of his participation in a Congressional Asian Conference event where former president Bill Clinton was a guest speaker. Garrett told the story, "I did my imitation of Bill Clinton for Bill himself. While he was on stage doing a 17-page speech, I worked with the Secret Service backstage on getting the voice just right. When I joined him I asked if I could imitate him, so I said a few sentences. As I did it, Clinton began turning red and said" — now imitating Clinton's voice — "Well, that's pretty good, thank you!"
About that time William Shatner arrived so Kate went to greet him. After hugging him she invited him back to the table to get comfortable and join the Q&A session. Here are a few answers involving the event:
Shatner on being involved with politics: "I've never been involved in a campaign; I've kept my privacy politically." He explained later that he is a Canadian citizen, so it is easy for him to be neutral on such things and back a person, not a political party. Shatner explaining his involvement in this event: "In this instance a friend of mine whom I respect asked me to help, and because I respect her intelligence and taste and perception (pause, looking at Kate), her outfit and good looks, (laughter) it became my opinion she could only be involved with people and issues I would respect." Shatner on Tim Hagan: "I think Tim Hagan would be a wonderful Governor for Ohio. The things he stands for, education, environmental issues." Shatner on Kate as First Lady: "She would be a first-class first lady. She would give Ohio a sheen of glamour and a foundation of good will."
After the press conference the public event commenced in the main hall. Kate and Tim introduced Shatner who took the microphone, and in a serious "Kirk-like" tone, began, "Tim Hagan is a good man. Tim Hagan should be Governor. You may ask, 'How do I know this?'" (Pausing for laughter.) "I would tell you that I don't know. I can only guess, surmise and dream." He continued with good-natured comments (and ribbing), praising Kate and her taste in all things including men. With that he introduced Tim Hagan as the next Governor of Ohio to much applause. Tim continued right away with the good-natured ribbing, starting off with, "I know you all came to see me this morning." (Loud laughter.) "What the hell are you all laughing about?"
The next 15 minutes or so came off like an old Vaudeville act as Tim and Bill both joked at each other's expense. One humorous moment was when Tim asked how many people were from out of the country. Several raised their hands, with Shatner responding, "Yeah, but they're all from Afghanistan." Then Shatner talked about his horses and how he's been spreading manure for over 35 years, "sort of like what you are doing now," he said to Tim. By the time Shatner had to go, everyone was in tears from laughing so much.
Next Kate and Tim told the story about how they met, then came the moment for Kate to introduce Robert Picardo. But as she did Bob was nowhere to be found. So as the audience was clapping and looking around, John deLancie came out waving and shouting, "Here I am!" He then began, "I've spent many years on Voyager playing the Doctor ... where is Bob?! ... This is really called MISSING YOUR ENTRANCE!" John then went on to keep the audience entertained with funny stories from his acting career, until the time finally came for Kate to introduce the "wonderful, talented, delightful actor who played Q, Mister Robert Picardo!" Bob walked up quickly to the microphone and began immediately in a deadpan tone, "Thank you, there've been so many firsts that I've been blessed with since I've known Kate. Today's first would be the first time I've ever been introduced while in the toilet stall. In my many years of acting, it was the first time I've ever heard while sitting, 'And now, here he is, Robert Picardo!' I began looking around the stall for the hidden camera." He then read a letter from Ethan Phillips expressing his regret for not being able to attend. He had gotten a movie part with Billy Bob Thornton that was shooting the same day as the event. Here's part of the letter as Bob read it, "I was surprised to get the part as only last week I got a call from my agent telling me it was between me and the guy who was going to get it." (Everyone laughs.) Bob continued, "Pause for laughter." (More laughter.) Bob continued to read, "Thank you." Robert then told some funny stories about Ethan and his daily attempts at humor on the set, with a couple of racy jokes that prompted a comment from Tim Hagan: "Um, Bob this really isn't helping me in the Bible Belt. I want the press to note that I am not laughing and sitting here with a look of disgust on my face."
Garrett Wang was next and began doing his now-famous impressions of Voyager and other Star Trek cast members. He especially mentioned George Takei and his famous voice, immediately imitating, "Oh my." He also talked about how sweaty and nervous he was when he had to kiss Jeri Ryan, but later Jeri told him how sweaty and nervous she was when she had to kiss Robert Beltran. "Why wasn't she sweating and nervous when she kissed me!! Why not me?!" Tim Russ then took stage telling his infamous "sock in pants" story when he had to appear on the Bridge naked. He then finished off with a number of songs ending with a sing-along of "Love The One You're With" calling all his gang on stage with him.
Next came the auction hosted by Bob, Garrett, Tim Russ and John deLancie. A nice bunch of items were auctioned off, mostly brought by the Voyager cast themselves from personal collections. Some of the most popular items were set-used Voyager scripts with personal notes in them. A "Timeless" script went for $1,300, and Kate's personal script from "Fury" went for $800. When a couple of hats Bob Picardo brought went for hundreds of dollars, Tim Hagan came on for one of the funniest and biggest surprises of the auction. Since clothing items were selling for so much, he said he was in the wrong business and took off his tie to auction. At first just a joke, the bidding kept going up and up. After it reached $500, Hagan said, "I had my first impure thought of Kate while wearing this tie!" As everyone was signing it, the bidding continued until it finally ended at an astonishing $2,000. That was $1,400 more then Ethan's set-worn Neelix makeup piece went for!
The day event ended as everyone had an hour to go change and prepare for the formal black-tie evening reception and dinner. The State Theatre, a beautiful facility with a large room and rear balcony, was set up with decorated tables, a large dance floor and long bar along one wall. As people began gathering, it was one of the rare times a Star Trek event didn't look like one. The men were all wearing tuxedos or black suits, with the women in long flowing evening gowns dressed to the teeth. Tim Hagan and Kate played host and hostess, with the rest of the stars mingling, taking pictures and dancing after dinner with the guests. Robert Duncan McNeill joined the party to everyone's delight, arriving in town after finishing a directing gig on Dawson's Creek.
The main event of the evening was the auctioning off of Kate's uniform and boots which she said she wore for seven years on Voyager. It was set up as a silent auction with the minimum bid beginning at $20,000. That turned out to be the final bid, and although I think Kate was a little disappointed, she understood that it was a lot of money and that it may have gone for more if things were better in the economy, and after all many people there were just normal fans who stretched their budgets just to attend.
Several after-event parties Saturday went quite late, so the Sunday brunch saw a lot of bloodshot eyes. Robbie McNeill hosted, but hosting duties weren't really needed, as the sleepy group just enjoyed their breakfast and relaxed. The candidate himself wrapped things up by thanking everyone for being there the three days and for their support. The entire weekend event raised approximately $150,000 after expenses for Tim Hagan's bid for Governor.
Photos by Charlie Wall
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