Patrick Stewart: Performing Beyond the Final Frontier
During a weekend visit with my college friend Danielle, I discovered Star Trek: The Next Generation and Patrick Stewart's unforgettable Captain Picard. Years later, after seeing him perform on Broadway, I still remember that first weekend, a stack of VHS tapes, and the actor who made me a lifelong fan.
A Weekend With Danielle, a Stack of VHS Tapes, and Captain Picard
I remember exactly the first time I saw Star Trek: The Next Generation. Danielle, my friend from college had invited me to spend the weekend at her place in DC. I was very intrigued; she didn't live with her parents. She had her own place. In latino culture, you lived with the 'rents until you got married.
I can't recall if I drove to see her or took the train but I do remember her apartment being cute. I got in on a Friday evening and she had dinner ready for me.
"There's a new show on TV that I have to show you. We can watch while we eat."
"Sure. What's it about? Will you explain the plot to me?"
I don't have to," she said, grinning. " I'm going to show it to you from the beginning."
"But how, if it's already on TV?"
She smiled and pointed to the stack of VHS tapes.
"I recorded the first season.This isn't just any old show. It's an experience."
I sighed, hoping I wouldn't regret saying yes.
Turns out I needn't have worried. I was hooked from the very first episode. It had suspense, intrigue drama and Patrick, who cut such an elegant figure in his red uniform. Danielle and I did a little sightseeing that weekend but mostly we sat and watched as many episodes as we could.
I became a Next Gen fan. Jean-Luc Picard was something special. So much cooler than Captain Kirk.
From Commanding the Enterprise to Performing on Broadway
Years later I saw Patrick Stewart in A Christmas Carol on Broadway. An extraordinary performance; he played all the characters. A few years later I saw him with T.R. Knight in A Life In The Theatre.
He was wonderful in the X-Men movies but I'll always remember watching him with Danielle as Jean-Luc Picard saying "Engage" and "Make it so."
Rest easy, noble gentle man.