Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category VII, Season Two

 Category VII this year is Outstanding Make-Up Design.  It was a hard, if not the hardest decision to make out of the season.  I wanted one episode to standout, but instead I had three that just kept dancing around one another.  In the end I chose the season opener "The Broken Circle."  

The episode comes with lots of horseshoe crab-foreheaded Klingons which is no small feat if no longer uncommon.  Fight sequences gave "wound" make-up opportunities, and then being frozen--if only temporarily--in outer space turned both Dr. M'Benga and Nurse Chapel into very believable popsicles.

"The Broken Circle" was written by Henry Alonso Myers and Akiva Goldsman.  It first aired on June 15, 2023.

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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category VI

 Category VI has been inserted into the Randy Awards for the first time in the second season.  It is meant for a category of recurring actors between seasons--in other words, actors who reprise the same character from a previous season, which necessarily negates the possibility on an award offered in the inaugural season.  Throughout the history of all Star Trek franchises, actors have help recurring roles outside of the credited main cast.  They have provided a sense of continuity that has contributed to the essential nature of a show about a crew of individuals.  From Lt. Kyle (John Winston)'s 11 appearances as the Transporter Chief across all three seasons of the Original series to Lt Mitchell (Rong Fu)'s 12 appearances as Helmsman on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds across the first three seasons--recurring supporting characters are the bedrock of creating a larger reality on any series.

Like other Randy awards, this one is tiered.  There are Gold, Silver and Bronze level winners.  The inaugural Gold Award goes to Paul Wesley as Captain James T. Kirk in the episode "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" written by David Reed and Onitra Johnson.  It first aired on Jun 29, 2023. 

The Silver Award is also for the performance of Carol Kane as Pelia in the same episode.  The genius of her portrayal of Pelia the Lanthenite is that she feels spontaneous in her dialogue and actions.  

The Bronze award goes to Gia Sandhu's T'Pring from the episode Charades.  Written by Kathryn Lyn and Henry Alonso Myers, it first aired on July 13, 2023.  Sandhu's interpretation of this one episode character from the original series has been a revelation over the first two seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.  In the first round of Randy Awards, she walked away with the Gold Award for Best Featured Actor making this her second trip to the podium in as many seasons.

Olney Theatre: Hello Dolly!

There are three major Holiday Musicals running in the DMV.  "Guys and Dolls" is at Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC; "Fiddler on the Roof" is at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, VA; and "Hello Dolly!" is at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, MD.  It's the DMV Trifecta.  I've seen all of them before, two productions of "Guys and Dolls," three of "Fiddler on the Roof," and just one of "Hello Dolly!".  But Hello Dolly! is the longest ago.  It was the 1978 revival with Carol Channing Reprising the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi.  And Eddie Bracken who was the original Horace Vandergelder.  I was in High School.  She was mesmerizing and the choreography was stunning. 

With the idea of cutting back a little on my theatre adventures, I made the choice to prioritize "Hello Dolly!".  Also, Nova Y. Payton was cast in the lead, and she is one of the most amazing and award winning actors in the DMV.  Before I tackle my thoughts on the show, let me expound a little on the status of the Classic American Musical.  These are musicals that ruled Broadway from the 1940's to the 1960's.  We all recognize their titles, and they carry a certain mystical cache.  But not all of them were created equal.   Some hang their fate of the power of a single lead actor.  Some have an abundance of choreography.  Others depend on comic timing, a quick and clever presentation of humorous anecdotes and site gages.  "Hello Dolly!" asks productions to accomplish ALL THREE.

So here we are with a flawed Dolly.  My complaints are like falling petals from a rose bush.  Any one is hardly noticeable, but there comes a point where you wished someone had given it more water, more fertilizer.  As Dolly, Novas gave a passable performance; however, her pacing was lugubrious at times.  Rather than hit the mark and move on, she chose to play it out to milk every possible laugh, every conceivable "tee hee".  It was a choice that didn't work.  Her ability to conjure the larger than life personality of the character also fell flat.  In compensation, she was fabulously regaled in costumes, and she does have an amazing singing voice.  Though on that score, she failed to command the volume necessary to conquer the pit orchestra's accompaniment.   

Likewise, Moses Villarama as Horace Vandergelder fell short in the vocalization department.  His voice, while on pitch, never got above the orchestra.  His characterization of the gruff old bachelor lacked nuance.  At no point did he appear vulnerable in a way that made the final turn believable.

So you have the star-crossed would-be lovers Cornelius Hackl (Michael Perrie Jr.) and Irene Malloy (Caitlin Brooke) AND Barnaby Tucker (Ricky Devon Hall) and Minnie Fay (Alex de Bard), playing second fiddle.  And here is where some true light shone forth.  Seriously, these actors were making up for what was lacking in the top tier.  Michael and Caitlin had no trouble whatsoever keeping the orchestra on its toes, with their beautiful, expressive voices.  Both Ricky and (even more so) Alex were comedic gold.

The ensemble was tremendous.  They executed the choreography effortlessly to great effect.  It was so good that beyond being the glue that held the other parts together, I don't think it's an understatement to say that it was the best part of the production.  Kudos to Eamon Foley.  And there's a definitely shout out to the set designer, too: Ravi "Riw" Rakkulchon.  The decision to perform the number "Put on your Sunday Clothes" on board a cage of a spinning train on it's way to New York from Yonkers was one of the most interesting and powerful moments of the show.

"Opening Act One" Ensemble with Dolly (Nova Y. Payton)

"It Takes A Woman": Male Chorus & 3rd from left, Cornelius (Michael Pierre Jr.), 5th from left Horace (Moses Villarama), 7th from left Barnaby (Ricky Devon Hall).

"Put On Your Sunday Clothes"

"Before the Parade Passes By"

"Hello Dolly"

"The Waiters' Gallop"

Vandergelder and Dolly come to terms.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category V, season two

 We celebrate the world of Special Effects with category V.  Season one gave the nod to "The Ghosts Of Illyria" with it's amazing plasma storms, non-coporeal Illyrian ghosts, glowing immune systems and chunks of planetary core beamed aboard the Enterprise!  It felt like an easy choice.

Season two's winner was not.  In fact, several of the traditional categories felt difficult to award via a degree of superiority over other episodes.  Having said that, I chose "Charades" with a critical consideration to the expressions of the Kerkov culture.  

Charades was written by Kathryn Lyn and Henry Alonso Myers.  It first aired on July 13, 2023.

Christmas Dinner: Slow Roasted Pork Loin, Rosemary Mashed Potatoes, Pork & Mushroom Gravy and Seared Fresh Green Beans

Christmas Breakky: Biscotti, Fresh Fruit, Hazelnut Cinnamon Coffee

 

Red Anjou Pear and Pineapple

Homemade Biscotti

Hazelnut Cinnamon Coffee

The cup is a holiday gift from 

a Dear Friend

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category IV, season two

 Category IV is for the Best Combination of Design and Set Elements.  In the past this would have acknowledged production aspects like "Set Design," "Sound," "Lighting," even "Props."  With the rapid and ever expanding integration of Computer Generated Imagery, coupled with Artificial Intelligence and the untapped potential as this technology erupts, a combination of these previous award categories into a single more encompassing one made sense.  

Season One's recipient was "Spock Amok," an episode with wonderful sets, amazing design details, unusual special effects and delightful structural elements.  The second annual Randy Award in this category goes to "The Broken Circle," season two's inaugural episode.  Like its predecessor, "The Broken Circle" covers a wide range of varied and diverse production elements.  Sets on a star base, on two star ships, and on a very interesting planet.  Special effects with models and space detritus and pyrotechnics. A plethora of props and set pieces that create a reality full of diverse inevitability.  En toto, it's a rich tapestry; deep and wide, the perfect canvas for wonderful storytelling.

I am Enchanted: The Wisdom of Charlie MacKesy

The older I get the more I love wisdom that is simple.

You know that it is wise because you feel its truth inside.

You know it's true because it's never easy.

Dinner: Veggie Puffed-Pastry

 One of the things that I really love about myself as cook.  I can go to a restaurant.  Eat something amazing.  I pretty much know how to replicate it myself.  The flip side of which looks like this:  I get a hankering for some flavor or combination of flavors.  My mind starts to image a dish, and before long I have it all laid out in my head.  Now, a lot of people cook without recipes, and really that's all I'm doing.  

But feel so confident in the outcome of some idea and nailing it 90% of the time--that just make me happy.

VEGGIE PUFFED PASTRY

What Did I Do?

1) Roasted a pound of thick cut Button Mushrooms

2) Blanched a fist-full of medium girth wild Asparagus tips and tender stems
3) Tossed in 1/2 a cup of frozen petite Peas

4) 1 large, juicy stalk of Celery, diced

5) Whip up a simple Bechamel Sauce:

- Equal parts flour and unsalted butter whisked into a roux

- Seasoned with generous pinches of Tarragon, Thyme, and ground Black Pepper.
6) Stir in all the veggies
7) Cut a slab of Puff Pastry to four equal squares and roll out a little larger (increase of 25%)

8) Tuck the squares into pre-buttered large muffin tin cups (6 to pan size)
9) Fill with the veggie mix

10) fold over the loose ends of the pastry and give all an egg wash

11) Bake at 425F for 35-45 minutes until puffed and golden brown--you know your oven.

12) Let cool for 12 minute and the twist gently and remove to plate and eat.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category III, season two

 All right, we've arrived at the first of now four categories with 3 award degrees: Gold, Silver, and Bronze.  Category III is designed to honor the work of actors who are not members of the main cast, nor are they members of the recurring cast. (unlike in season one, when they might have been).  These actors have played a part of lessor width than a Featured Guest actor; however, their performance has stood out and contributed some very special and memorable to the episode.

In season one I honored actors who portrayed a Romulan Captain, a Majalin father trying to save his son from becoming a human sacrifice, and an Orian Pirate whose competence proved assailable.  This season, supportive roles performed by women and Vulcans stood out.  

My Bronze award goes to Graeme Somerville for his portrayal of the overly stoic, Vice Admiral Pasalk.  Somerville has had a long and rich career in the Professional Theatre Community of Ontario and Quebec.  The fact that this series is filmed in Canada provides those of us who live in the United States the chance to experience many fresh yet seasoned actors.  You may not know, but in the original cast both William Shatner and James Doohan were born in Canada.  Somerville's role was part of the second season's second episode "Ad Astra Per Aspera" written by Kathryn Lyn and Henry Alonso Myers.  It first aired on July 13, 2023.

The Silver Award in this category goes to another Canadian Actor, Ellora Patnaik, who portrayed T'Prill, T'Pring's exacting and judgmental mother.  Patnaik was born and raised in Toronto to Indian immigrants and has a resume that includes nearly 60 films and CBC TV series.

Keeping it all Canada all the time, the Gold Award goes to Mia Kirshner who portays Amanda Grayson, Spock's mother.  A role that she initiated on Star Trek: Discovery.  Kirshner is also a very successful actor in the Canadian film and TV industry.  Both the Silver and Gold winners roles come out of the episode "Charades" written by Dana Horgan & Onitra Johnson.  I aired on June 22, 2023.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category II, Season Two

From the best "Stand Alone" episode to the best "Ensemble" episode.  When you have episodic TV with a relatively large cast, you often have episodes that focus of the arc or the backstory of a single character, OR a pivotal experience between a limited number of characters.  Sometimes the result is so powerful and so memorable that it gets dubbed "Spock's Episode" or "Worf's Episode".  One need only consider the offerings from Strange New Worlds season 3 to recall "Ortegas' Episode."

The ensemble award is to acknowledge the polar opposite.  It is the episode in which everyone had a role to play and weight to carry to the good of the whole.  And with that in mind, there is only one possible winner from season 2.  "Space Rhapsody" was so far outside of the box that it engendered a response from fans which left few if any sitting on the fence.   

When you look at sites that rate such things with a broad range of participants, the "singing" episode does not fare particularly well.  I acknowledge it's short comings.  Chief among which was the uneven quality of the original score.  I absolutely adore the opening number.  Cole Porter never wrote more intricate lyrics and the driving melody just wells up with anticipation.  Likewise, the finale, though a bit cheesy when combined with all the high school grade choreography was a good song.  All the others in the middle needed the proverbial out of town notices on their way to Broadway.  

While some members of the cast have great voices, Celia Rose Gooding (Uhuru) won a Grammy in 2021 for her work on the Broadway Cast recording of "Jagged Little Pill".  Christina Chong (La'an) release an extended play collection of songs in 2021 entitled "Since 2021", and since 2021 a series of 5 singles, one of which features Jonathan Peck (Spock).  Others, like Babs Olusonmokun (Dr. M'Benga) gave thanks for the marvels of auto-tune.  Which, in a way, made his participation in the project even more endearing.  

Like it, Love it, or Hate it--Any which way you cut it--"Space Rhapsody" is clearly Strange New Worlds season two Best Ensemble show!  Written by Dana Horgan and Bill Willkolf, the episode first aired on August 10, 2023.

Breakky: Fresh Broccoli and Scrambled Eggs, Toasted Sourdough Bread, Fried Green Tomato with Cholula Chapotle Hot Sauce and Hazelnut Coffee.

At my favorite seat in the "Jungle" Room.

 

Snowy moment: Arctic Wolves

 

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards: Category I - Season Two

 Once again the order of presentation will be the same, and so we begin with "Best Stand Alone Episode." 

The point of this award is to acknowledge the initial renown of this iteration of the Star Trek franchise as a return to single episode story telling.  And while this true, it's only true to a certain point.  Of the episodes that qualified, this one was chosen in large part for the uniqueness of its story-line, as well.  Another nice aspect is the way in which it featured alpha shift helmsman, Lt. Erica Ortegas.  

"Among The Lotus Eaters" was the 4th episode of season two.  It was written by Kirsten Beyer and Davy Perez, and was first aired on July 6, 2023.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - The RANDY Awards - SEASON 2

 After a few weeks to let the dust settle from they amazingly popular Season One Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Randy Awards, I'm ready to take on Season Two.  As with season one the award categories are the same--well, mostly the same.  Along with the original ten categories and 16 honorees, I have added one additional multi-tiered category in keeping up with the way in which the second season morphed from the first.

The second season relied more on recurring characters who were not a part of the formal cast, than did the first.  So here is a list with descriptions of all the possible Randy Awards for season two:

1) Best Stand Alone Episode: GOLD

2) Best Ensemble Episode: GOLD

3) Best Guest Actor in a Supporting Roll: GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE (this is an actor with multiple scenes, but no pivotal role in the story line.  It's a judgment call, and I am the judge)

4) Best Design and Set Elements: GOLD

5) Best Special Effects Design: GOLD

6) NEW Best Recurring Actor in a Featured OR Supportive Role: GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE

7) Best Make-up Design: GOLD

8) Best Costumes Design: GOLD

9) Best Actor in a Featured Role: GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE

10) Most Ambitious Concept in an Episode: GOLD  (It's like pornography--you know it when you see it!)

11) Best Episodes: GOLD, SILVER & BRONZE

Here is a list of the 10 episodes that comprise Season Two.

Why I Am Bullish On The Democrats in 2026

 

1st Stage: Birthday Candles

 What an endearing play!  "Birthday Candles" written by Noah Haidle, tells one woman's life story from her 17th birthday through to her 103rd.  Aspects toward the end seem a bit improbable; however, isn't that just like life?  Everyday is her next or a succeeding birthday.  A ping and a flash of blue light and a year has passed, or two, or ten.  And one by one everyone she knows finds their moment and quietly steps off of the stage to follow a white path into blackness.  

The writing is very generous and funny.  Key phrases are recycled from one generation to the next with great effect.  And a presiding over everything is a succession of goldfish named Altman.  The cast includes some of the most recognizable talents in the DMV.  I would characterize at least three of them as also among the most likable--something that matters in this play full of funny moments, personal foibles, failure and finally forgiveness.  

Chris Genebach as husband #1, Matt is just an every-good-guy husband, until he isn't, which makes the cracks even more pronounced.  Jacob Yeh, and husband #2, Kenneth is the balm that Ernestine (Deidra Lawan Starnes) needs to rediscover the grace and the resilience that fuels her inner being.  With 10 nominations and 2 Helen Hayes Awards over the years, I will be shocked if this performance doesn't put her name back in the running.  

The set was a beautifully detailed slice of Ernestine's home.

1st Stage is a small theater.  It is nestled on the backside of a strip mall over an auto repair shop.  With overflow folding chairs, I think you can get 116 butts in seats.  They are the most reasonably priced group, too.  There are discounts for: Seniors, Young Adults, Educators, First Responders, Active Duty Troops, and High School Students can attend for FREE.  My tickets with the Educator Discount are always $20.00, when Full Price are always $55.00.  

Hannah Taylor as Alice, Ernestine's mother.

Ernestine [Deidra Lawan Starnes] being given her first goldfish by her unrequited childhood friend, Kenneth [Jacob Yeh].

Ernestine with her children, Madeline [Hannah Taylor] and Billy, [Patrick Joy]

With her first husband, Matt [Chris Genebach].

With her neurotic daughter-in-law, Joan [Surasree Das]

Ernestine and Kenneth wed after Matt dies with dementia and they are both 70.

Mosaic Theatre: A Case For The Existence Of God

 A very strange name for a play that never once references either God or religion.  And if the implication is that if a straight white man and a gay black man can see into one another's humanity--then there must be a God...well, then that's just banal.  The playwright, Samuel D. Hunter, comes with an impressive pedigree down to writing the play, and then the screenplay adaptation of "The Whale."  

The story is about two men who grew up together but apart and finally come together when one needs the professional services of the other.  A friendship develops over shared interests, and shared tragedies until their lives become irreversibly entwined.  The start was a little off.  One of the actors seemed to be leaning on cliches to reveal his character.  The other, Jaysen Wright, who played Keith, the black, gay, Mortgage Broker who is tying to foster-adopt an infant girl, seemed to have a better handle on where the character's center of gravity was.  

As the 100 minutes or so continued to unfold, Lee Osorio's portrayal of Ryan; white, straight, former high school star jock and now divorced, and about to enter into a battle over full custody of his infant daughter with his ex-, rose with the intensity of the script.  The play is set in Twin Falls, Idaho, and so the one thing that we have to give the author, the outcome was politically resonant with the state and city.

The stage was stark and beautiful.  The outcome, a pitcher of loosely sweetened lemon aide from the bountiful harvest of life's lemons.  

Ryan [Lee Osorio] and Keith [Jaysen Wright]