REVIEW: William Shatner reveals his ‘World’

‘Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It’ chronicles a star’s trek through life

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

BROADWAY REVEW

A congenial encounter with an idiosyncratic personality, “Shatner’s World: We Just Live In it” presents an easygoing visit with “Star Trek” icon William Shatner.

Bowing on Thursday for a brief sojourn at the Music Box, the actor’s solo show provides a pleasant 100-minute stroll down memory lane in this strictly fans-only attraction.

Looking lively at age 80, Shatner breezily delivers a relaxed account of his life and times.

His early beginnings at the Stratford Festival where he understudied Christopher Plummer, his times on Broadway in “The World of Suzie Wong” – where the actor says he acquired his trademark emphatic way of speaking – and his experiences with live TV shows like “Playhouse 90” serve as a prelude to Shatner’s relatively brief recollections about playing Captain James Kirk for the “Star Trek” franchise.

Shatner delivers few insights about acting and very little dish regarding his costars on subsequent TV series like “The Practice” and “Boston Legal.” Raising horses absorbs his interest more than histrionics. Other than fond anecdotes regarding his parents, Shatner offers only the sketchiest details concerning the rest of his personal life.

The actor’s characteristically amusing and unpretentious remarks are accompanied by film clips and projected images against a twinkling backdrop. It’s not much of a solo Broadway show compared to more ambitious events like Billy Crystal’s “700 Sundays” or Elaine Stritch’s “At Liberty,” but “Shatner’s World” will satisfy customers simply pleased to observe Shatner being Shatner in the flesh.

“Shatner’s World: We Just Live In it” continues through March 4 at the Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., New York. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.