USA TODAY US Edition

Shatner returns to ‘Star Trek’ bridge

- – Brent Hallenbeck

The most-famous captain to visit Ticonderog­a, N.Y., since the Revolution­ary War arrives in May — even though he’s not a real captain and only played one on TV.

William Shatner, famous for his portrayal of Capt. James T. Kirk on the 1960s TV show Star Trek, will be at the “Star Trek The Original Series” set recreation in the town on the western shore of Lake Champlain. Shatner, who kept Kirk going through a number of Star Trek films as well, is scheduled to head to Ticonderog­a on May 4 and 5 to sign autographs, pose for photos and answer questions from fans.

Those who want to join him in that, ahem, enterprise, however, will have to pay serious cash for it. Admission for “Captain on the Bridge!” — an event that gives 25 ticket-holders a 45-minute exclusive question-and-answer session as well as an autograph from and photo with Shatner — is $1,500.

The Star Trek set redux has become the town’s biggest tourist draw since Fort Ticonderog­a, the Revolution­ary War site made famous when Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen kicked the British out of town in 1775. The set recreation opened to the public a couple of years ago by Ticonderog­a native,

Star Trek aficionado and profession­al Elvis impersonat­or James Cawley mimics the Enterprise so closely that visitors will likely feel as if they’ve been beamed into their TV screens and directly on board the ship.

Having Shatner there undoubtedl­y will only increase that 3-D time-warp vibe.

 ?? GABE DICKENS FOR BURLINGTON FREE PRESS ?? A replica of the “Star Trek” set.
GABE DICKENS FOR BURLINGTON FREE PRESS A replica of the “Star Trek” set.

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