William Shatner was born in Canada, but he became an American treasure. Actor, spoken-word artist, the first 90-year-old man to travel to space. Once infamous as Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise, Shatner has soared across the decades as cop T.J. Hooker and lawyer Denny Crane. He even lent his famous voice to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
On Wednesday, July 30, he lands at the Majestic Theatre for his “William Shatner Live on Stage” tour. On the phone, he is exactly as you might expect. An original.
Bill Shatner! How are you doing?
So well. It’s such a pleasure. Come on.
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Now, I’m gonna be in your city at the Majestic Theatre. The film The Wrath of Khan is quite elderly, so they refurbished the sound, and it’s one of the best Star Trek films ever made. After it’s over, I’ll talk to the audience and answer any question they have — except my home address.
William Shatner (foreground) and Leonard Nimoy star in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”(Paramount Pictures)
Let’s play a word-association game. What things do you associate with Dallas?
Oh! The Cowboys, of course, which led to great emotional fatigue for me when they would play the Rams. That football team personifies Dallas, and the way they fight and struggle and make mistakes that are so human. And the passion!
Dallas with its high buildings and business and Texas. It’s a noble city.
Tex-Mex or BBQ?
They’re two very different things. I’ve been watching TV — well, I’ve been watching Wimbledon, but I’ve been watching shows on BBQing and different techniques. Wild game! I love ribs. I need a recommendation for ribs, and I’ll take that from you or from the Dallas audience.
Pecan Lodge is downtown.
What now?
Pecan Lodge is not far from the Majestic.
[Pause.] Now Tex-Mex is an entirely different thing. The cuisine is more varied. With BBQ you need the right wood, but Tex-Mex you need herbs and peppers.
William Shatner (center) helps announce the release of a Texas Lottery “Star Trek” scratch-off game at the Dallas Convention Center on March 30, 2013.
True enough. You’re a storyteller, an actor, a writer, a spoken-word performer. I’m reminded of that talking to you. Your voice is so round and robust and beautiful.
Like me! I am my voice!
[Laughs.] Yes, like you. You’ve been to space and around the world. Where have you not been that you’d like to go?
Listen to me: The world is magical. Now, I have a new album with Brad Paisley. It’s sensational, and it’s ready to go. I think it’s going to be called Things I Had Loved, or What I Have Loved, and it’s not necessarily about a woman. Love of health. If I’m not healthy, I can’t love you. Love of past, future, the variety of things that mankind can think of I’m trying to sing about. It may be the best album I’ve done.
Actors Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner and James Doohan from the original “Star Trek” series. (Paramount Pictures)
You’re 94. What’s the best time to be alive?
We’re in such a time of turmoil. I’ve read so much. The Hundred Years’ War, the Greeks and Athens and their neighbors. So many dramatic things have happened — but I don’t think they rival what’s going on now. The turmoil, the changes. We’re on the lip of greatness or destruction.
What a time to be alive.
Details
“William Shatner Live On Stage” with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan at 7:30 p.m. July 30. Tickets $50 and up.
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