Fans of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the highly successful 1987-1994 follow up to the original “Star Trek” television series, are in for a special treat as six of its stars reunite for a unique celebration of the 20thanniversary of the program’s final episode on Sunday, August 24 from 5-6:45 p.m. “Captain Kirk” from the original, William Shatner, hosts as the “TNG” bridge crew of Sir Patrick Stewart (“Captain Jean-Luc Picard”) Jonathan Frakes (“Commander William T. Riker”), Levar Burton (“Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge”), Michael Dorn (“Lieutenant Worf”), Marina Sirtis (“Counselor Deanna Troi”), Brent Spiner (“Lt. Commander Data”), and Gates McFadden (“Dr. Beverly Crusher”) relive the memories of the program’s seven-year run.
The event will be held at the Rosemont Theater (5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont). Tickets range from $30 to $150; more information available at wizd.me/StarTrekTNGChicago. A Wizard World Chicago Comic Con admission is not required to attend the TNG reunion panel, but William Shatner Platinum VIPs are admitted free with Tier 1 seating.
Shatner is a one man force of nature who delivers a larger than life performance complete with his laugh-out-loud humor and signature storytelling in his inimitable style. Fans can enjoy this rare and special appearance produced in conjunction with Lightspeed Fine Arts. All ticket buyers receive a limited-edition lithograph exclusive to this event.
The Emmy Award and Tony Award nominee Stewart, who has performed in more than 100 television and film roles, will also attend the convention, signing autographs, posing for photo ops and greeting fans on Saturday and Sunday. Stewart is one of several actors to appear in all three “X-Men” films: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). His role as Picard placed him in four Star Trek films: Generations (1994), First Contact (1996), Insurrection (1998) andNemesis (2002).
“Star Trek: The Next Generation” focuses on the 24th century adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D). This incarnation of the famous starship is much larger than the one captained by James T. Kirk a century earlier, and, accordingly, it carries a larger crew complement: 1,012 men, women…and, surprisingly, children. This era’s Starfleet Command believes that men and women are more likely to sign up for long-term exploratory missions if they think of their ship as home. Thus, Picard’s crew enjoys many of the comforts they’d have otherwise left behind, including a wide variety of recreational opportunities, “replicated” food dishes to suit every palate, and quarters large enough to share with spouses and offspring. There are schools for the children and a bar (stocked with synthetic alcohol, or synthehol) where the adults can unwind. However, the ongoing mission—no longer limited to a mere five years—remains virtually the same as it was during Kirk’s time: to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before. The show won an astounding 18 Emmy Awards during its magnificent run.
David Boreanaz (“Bones,” “Angel”), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead,” Boondock Saints), Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (“Doctor Who,”), Katie Cassidy (“Arrow”) and comics legend Stan Lee are among the celebrities scheduled to join Shatner, Stewart and the “TNG” team at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 21-24 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. It is largest and longest-running of the 16 events in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known comics artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.
For more on the 2014 Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, visit http://www.wizd.me/ChicagoPR.
About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.
The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.
Wizard World 2014 Schedule
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con
