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Music that boldly goes
In Calendar, Jonathan Frakes talks about his role in the Orlando Philharmonic’s “Final Frontier” concert Saturday, and Lauren Delgado has a roundup of the best tater tots in town. Plus, check out an interview with comedian Susan Westenhoefer and a movie review for “The Fate of the Furious.”
Confidential to the Orlando Philharmonic’s trombone section: Jonathan Frakes has his eye on you.
Frakes, who played Commander Riker in the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV series and films, will guest at the orchestra’s “The Final Frontier” program this Saturday.
The concert will feature some of the most memorable sci-fi and space-themed music, including selections from “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial,” “Star Wars,” “Superman,” “2001: A Space Odyssey” and, of course, “Star Trek.” Other guest artists include soprano Kristen Plumley, the University of Central Florida Chamber Chorus and synthesizer player Mike Runyan.
Riker — Captain Picard’s “No. 1” — famously was a dab hand on the trombone, an aspect of the character written into the sci-fi hit to mirror Frakes’ own talent.
“They cashed in on what the actors did as hobbies,” Frakes recalls. “Gates [McFadden] was a dancer and a mime and taught theater.” So it turned out Dr. Crusher had a theater-dance background.
“There was a lot of that,” Frakes says. “I enjoyed it.”
Frakes won’t be joining the trombone section on Saturday; he’ll serve as a narrator-performer. He admits his musical prowess might have faded in recent years as a busy work schedule keeps him from practicing.
As an erstwhile piano player, I can relate. We commiserate together.
“Oh, I’ve lost so much,” exclaims Frakes, 64. “I’ve been negligent. It’s sad.”
He took up the instrument as a fourth-grader in Bethlehem, Penn., for a very simple — and practical — reason.
“I was given the trombone because I had the longest arms,” he explains. “I’ve been playing ever since.”
Frakes previously played the trombone in Florida — quite famously. Back in 1970, his highschool marching band participated in the prestigious Festival of States competition in St. Petersburg. The Liberty High Grenadiers that year took the top prize in both categories, field show and parade show.
After the double win, Bethlehem Mayor Gordon Payrow made good on a promise to rename his city’s Pine Street “Grenadier Boulevard” in recognition of the band’s triumph.
There’s still a note of pride in Frakes’ voice when he recalls
how the school’s musicians outshone the athletes.
“It was so much better than the football team,” he says of the band. “People would come to games just to hear the halftime shows.”
On this Florida visit, he hopes his “Star Trek” fan base will help introduce the orchestra to newbies — especially youngsters. Frakes’ Riker was the only character to appear in all four sequel series to the 1960s original — “Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager” and “Enterprise.”
“It brings people into the symphony who wouldn’t normally go,” he says of his “Star Trek” cachet. “It’s so good to get kids in there.”
Frakes appreciates the devotion shown by hardcore “Trek” fans; he fondly remembers a 1992 tour of Tom Stoppard’s play “Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.” Appearing onstage with him and McFadden were “Next Generation” cast mates Patrick Stewart (Picard), Brent Spiner (Data) and Colm Meaney (Chief O’Brien).
“We got people coming into the theater sometimes dressed as Klingons,” he recalls with a laugh.
Speaking of Klingons, Frakes will be hanging out with co-star Michael Dorn (Worf ) while he’s in town. Dorn is starring in Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s “Antony and Cleopatra.”
“We’re having dinner,” exclaims Frakes, explaining that the “Next Generation” cast remains close. “We’re a pretty reliable team.”
Frakes directed a few “Next Generation” episodes, and since the series ended in 1994 he has split his time between acting, voice-over work and directing. (He helmed 1996’s “Star Trek: First Contact.”) He has recently finished up his fourth season with TNT’s “The Librarians” and directing work on Bravo’s “Girlfriends Guide to Divorce.”
Frakes appears in the movie “Devil’s Gate,” which will be featured later this month at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival, and he’s working with Seth MacFarlane on a new series titled “Orville.”
When he’s not at work, Frakes enjoys family time with his wife of 30 years, actress Genie Francis. She’s known to legions of soap fans as half of the “General Hospital” 1980s supercouple Luke and Laura. Having appeared on the daytime drama off and on for decades, she returned to the iconic role full time in the fall of 2015.
“She’s having a blast,” Frakes says. As we chat, the Southern California-based couple is visiting their daughter in Portland, Ore.
No wonder there’s no time for trombone practice.
Still, his expectations for Saturday’s concert are high. Frakes chuckles. “I will be watching those trombone players very