Star Trek’Äôs Mr. Sulu joins Jack Everly for a Sci-Fi Spectacular

Star Trek's Mr. Sulu (George Takei) joins Jack Everly and the NAC Orchestra for a Sci-Fi Spectacular from April 23 to 25

Ottawa, Canada - Jack Everly and the National Arts Centre Orchestra boldly go where no orchestra has gone before when they bring the "Sci-Fi Spectacular" to Southam Hall’Ķ the final frontier’Ķ from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. George Takei (pronounced Ta-KAY), best known as helmsman Mr. Sulu from the original Star Trek television series and six Star Trek feature films, beams in as narrator for this concert, joined by tenor Mike Eldred, soprano Kristin Plumley, and the Laurence Ewashko Singers.

NAC Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly raises his "lightsabre" to lead music from sci-fi and fantasy movie soundtracks, much of it by supercomposer John Williams, including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone; Star Wars: The Phantom Menace; Somewhere in Time; Superman; Close Encounters of the Third Kind; 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Day the Earth Stood Still, the latter in a special new arrangement by Jack of the 1951 movie score. Jack is also responsible for an arrangement titled Lost in Syndication - a medley of science fiction television show theme songs including The X-Files, The Jetsons, My Favourite Martian, The Twilight Zone, Lost in Space, The Outer Limits and Stargate. A dazzling laser light show adds special effects to a concert that is truly out of this world!

Roaming the NAC Foyers will be such Sci-Fi characters as Darth Vader, Boba Fet, Star Trek, Storm troopers etc. and audience members also are encouraged to dress up and come as their favourite space personality.

George Takei, best known for his portrayal of "Mr. Sulu" in the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek, is currently a recurring guest star on NBC's hit ensemble drama series Heroes. His five-decade career includes more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television guest-starring roles. He received a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame in 1986 and he placed his signature and handprint in the forecourt of the landmark Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood in 1991. His many credits include a 1987 Grammy nomination in the "Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording" category.

Mike Eldred is one of North America's most in-demand and beloved tenors, starring on Broadway in the recent "final cast" of Les Misˆ©rables in the role of Jean Valjean. He has performed with many symphony orchestras as well as award-winning artists including Jim Brickman, Michael Bolton, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Trisha Yearwood. Mr. Eldred has released five solo recordings.

Kristen Plumley has portrayed such opera heroines as Norina (Don Pasquale), Zerlina (Don

Giovanni), Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Adele (Die Fledermaus) Despina (Cosˆ¨ fan tutte) and Yum-Yum (The Mikado). Plumley's orchestral appearances include Mozart's Coronation Mass and Haydn's Mass in Time of War with the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

Jack Everly is now his fifth year as Principal Pops Conductor of the NAC Orchestra. His many memorable concerts include On the Air: Music of the Fabulous 40s, The Beat Goes On, A Cole Porter Celebration, Pops Goes Vegas, and his recent tribute to the 70s: Disco Days and Boogie Nights. Everly is also the Principal Pops Conductor with the Baltimore and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, as well as Music Director for the Symphonic Pops Consortium.

Tickets for the NAC Orchestra's "Sci-Fi Spectacular" from April 23 to 25 in Southam Hall are on sale now at $29, $39, $49, $59, $69 and $86 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.