Avery Brooks ("Benjamin Sisko") will take the stage in yet another Shakespearean role next year. Deep Space Nine's former captain will play the title role in the Yale Repertory production of "King Lear." The play will be directed by Harold Scott and will be performed February 13 through March 13 at the University Theatre (222 York St., New Haven, CT). Opening night is February 19. Scott has given the play a unique spin — according to a press release, "Focusing on the primeval nature of the work, director Harold Scott has set the play in Mesoamerica among the Olmecs. This setting allows the mythic tale of untamed and unalloyed passion to drive the story from an historical black perspective." For tickets or a Yale Rep subscription, call (203) 432-1234 or go to yalerep.org/subscribe.

Shatner Joins Forces with Paisley, Folds

According to Country Weekly, William Shatner ("James T. Kirk") has asked country musician pal Brad Paisley to write a song and sing on Shatner's new spoken word album, which is being produced by Ben Folds. Paisley and Shatner previously worked together on Paisley's video for the song "Celebrity."

Bakula Honors Burnett, Rogers

Scott Bakula ("Jonathan Archer") recently took part in The Kennedy Center Honors, where he was part of a tribute to Carol Burnett. According to the Associated Press, Bakula joined Julie Andrews, Trek alum Kim Cattrall (Valeris) and others in a musical tribute that ended with the Carol Burnett Show's theme song. The Honors will air December 26 on CBS. Bakula was also part of a recent tribute to Fred Rogers presented by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, along with fellow Trek star LeVar Burton ("Geordi La Forge").

Nimoy and "Time"

As previously reported, Leonard Nimoy ("Spock") is exhibiting photos from his "Shekhina" book at the Copro/Nason Gallery in Culver City, CA through January 31. Variety reports that Nimoy's next project is a series of self-portraits called "Myself & Time."

McFadden, Picardo Get Busy with Marsapalooza

According to VOANews, Gates McFadden ("Beverly Crusher") and Robert Picardo ("The Doctor") recently took part in "Marsapalooza," a touring event featuring NASA scientists and engineers educating students about Mars. McFadden and Picardo were onhand at the Los Angeles stop of the tour. "My dream being here is that one of these kids will be one of the first Mars walkers, and they'll look back in their lifetime at this as a pivotal moment in making their decision to pursue that great goal," Picardo told VOANews.

Sensor Sweep and Casting News

On the big screen this week: Kirsten Dunst ("Hedril") can be seen in "Mona Lisa Smile," in which she plays "Betty," one of the Wellesley College students of feminist teacher Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts). John Rhys-Davies ("Leonardo da Vinci") meanwhile plays the dwarf "Gimli" and the voice of "Treebeard" in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." Onstage, you can catch J.G. Hertzler ("Martok") in the Geva Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" through December 28. The theatre is located in Rochester, New York. Finally, Sarah Silverman ("Rain Robinson") is set to co-star in Jeff Garlin's indie feature "I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With," according to Variety.