William Shatner, who resurrected an acting career with his Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning portrayal of lawyer Denny Crain on “Boston Legal,” brings his familiar voice and face to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra stage to narrate “Exodus,” a work by ASO conductor David Itkin.
Masterworks shows on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Robinson Center Music Hall mark the world premiere of “Exodus,” an oratorio based on the writings from the Bible’s Book of Exodus, Psalms and the Passover Seder. Itkin has composed the work for full orchestra, narrator, tenor and a mass chorus.
Paul Rowe, a baritone, will be the featured singer. A chorus of 300 voices made of up choirs from area colleges and the Arkansas Chamber Singers will also command the stage.
Shatner steps in for his “first officer,” Leonard Nimoy, who had to pull out from the project recently due to another commitment. Shatner was Capt. Kirk to Nimoy’s Spock in the original “Star Trek” TV and movie series. Shatner also starred as a policeman in “T.J. Hooker,” but it was the Priceline advertising commercials that brought him back into the limelight before he made waves guest-starring on ABC’s “The Practice.” That role led to his and James Spader’s characters being spun off into the new series, “Boston Legal.”
Tickets range from $14 to $43 for either show. Call 666-1761 for tickets.