"Khan!!!" Review from the Times-Standard
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Theater Review | 'Khan!!! The Musical!'
New show at Carlo Theatre is a wacky, wonderful blast from the past
By Beti Webb Trauth
PUBLISHED: April 30, 2026 at 3:29 AM PDT
Just when you thought that there haven't been any "new," outrageously entertaining, original musicals that have been created since the likes of "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Rocky Horror," let me delightedly inform you that one now awaits you at Dell'Arte's Carlo Theatre in Blue Lake.
It's "Khan!!! The Musical! A Parody Trek-Tacular" presented by River Sky Media and produced in association with Dell'Arte International, and it's being performed in the perfect place for such over-the-top shenanigans.
Indeed, it's more than worthy of joining DAI's storied history of staging fearless, madcap musicals featuring a multi-talented ensemble of exceptional actors/singers.
But, before I go into all of those important details for the current production, let me give you a rundown of its background. The book, music and lyrics were created by Brent Black and co-conceived with Alina Roth — and produced off-Broadway with sold-out houses in 2023. In 2024, it successfully moved to a regional production in Texas, and then on to an acclaimed run in Buffalo, New York in 2025.
And, there will be seven regional productions throughout 2026, including the West Coast premiere of "Khan!!!" that you're lucky enough to be able to see for yourself at Dell'Arte. With a stellar local cast and crew!
And, the timing couldn't be any better for "Trekkies & Normies" alike, because this year is loaded with ongoing, and renewed, interest in all-things "Star Trek." And "Khan!!!" taps into the "essence" of the iconic characters and famous scenes in a sincerely ridiculous way. All set to music in between and during the tongue-in-cheek, cleverly choreographed action.
So, with an android named Data as the audience's quirky guide, the action is based on "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Set in the year 2360, the fractured plot follows an unwillingly aging Admiral Kirk while he is determined to (once again) confront his longtime, evil nemesis, Khan. Comedic, sci-fi chaos abounds!
The dazzling, ditzy cast features Virgo Marroquin as Khan; William English III as Data/Joachim/David; River Keller as Kirk; Filip Amborski as Spock; Meaghan Sharrard as Saavik; Lyn Trischum as Sulu/Chekov; Samahri Jordan Uhura/Carol; Andre Vallin as Scotty/Commander Redshirt; Karen Echegaray as Bones; Alannah Guevara as Picard/Ensemble; with Lee Checa-Valdez, Monica Blacklock and Terrence Caballero completing the Ensemble.
Co-directed by Amborski and Keller with a great eye for both small, clever bits of business and flamboyant flair (enhanced by Jordan's choreography), as well as the solid, musical direction by Katie Folkenrothroth. And this resulted in the cast's overall strong vocals throughout performing with the show's excellent, pre-recorded score.
In particular, Marroquin's powerhouse interpretations of Khan's are Broadway worthy. And Amborski's Spock has a "surprise" number that's an especially memorable, daffy delight. English also particularly impresses with his multiple personas. But, every actor/singer nails every role and more than deserves their own roses. I loved everything they did!
And, how they "looked" so perfectly cast was also due to the spot-on, character-perfect costumes created by Jenna Santangelo and the makeup/hair designs (behind the scenes) of Echegaray. Based on the show's "original" designs for the cast (inspired by the Trek films), they nailed it.
Mind you, from the minute you entered the Carlo Theater, you "boarded" a space ship with video projections and sophisticated tech sights and sounds integrated into the sci-fi experience throughout the space. And that's thanks to the overview of the technical talents of producers, River Sky Media. (With the tech equipment "generously supplied by the Arcata Playhouse.")
Including the essential contributions of sound engineer, Father Mobius, and sound operator, Marina Gagarina (assisted by Calvin Rau Hakim Brice). They each, obviously, had their hands full balancing the backing tracks with the vocals in such a "live" room as the Carlo venue. And, that meant (on an opening night's performance) that the results weren't always "perfect." However, I'm sure that (by now) they're closer to reaching that goal throughout. In any case, the intricate lighting effects of light designer/board operator Kaya Corcoran were already, definitely dazzling.
Rounding out the hard-working production crew were the back-and-on-stage hands who smoothly handled their demanding responsibilities: Adrienne Ralsten, Kahvi Zvaleko and Rose Long. Under the watchful eye (when not on stage herself), stage manager Echegaray.
Generously sponsored by Lost Coast Communications and Queer Humboldt, this River Sky Media Production is also being made possible thanks to the support of: Arcata Playhouse, Costume Box, Dell'Arte International, Lifehouse Humboldt, Makerspace, Outer Space Arcata, Shawn Wagner and Scrapper's Edge.
"Khan!!! The Musical! A Parody Trek-Tacular" describes itself as "a story of adventure, revenge and an aging hero (Kirk) getting his groove back." And, I not only agree with that, but also want to add that it's much more.
And here are the intriguing titles of composer Black's songs (that sometimes, along with the choreography, had some sneaky, send-up, homage moments to "Rocky" and "Chicago" in particular). They include: "Welcome to Starfleet;" "Spock's Brain," "Boldly Go," "The Magic Was You," "Buried Alive," "Ship of Dreams," "Peter Preston's Song," "The Kobayashi Maru," "Young;" "Saavick's Theme," The Hyperchannel Rag," "Battleship," "When The Chickens Come Home" and "Have I Still Got The Magic." Ranging from silly and salty to boisterous and bittersweet, they each gave the singers a chance to shine.
Beneath the Trekkie fun, there beats a tender, valiant heart that also has the power to inspire us Normies to join him and his forever-intrepid crew of the Starfleet. And boldly board their comedic, musical "Ship of Dreams" before it sails away!
Here are the dates for the remaining, absolutely must-see performances in the Carlo Theatre, located at 131 H St. in Blue Lake: Fridays and Saturdays May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 8 p.m. (box office and bar open at 7 p.m.; doors open at 7:30 p.m.). Sundays May 3 and 10 (Mother's Day and closing) at 4 p.m. (box office and bar open at 3 p.m.; doors open at 3:30 p.m.)
Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door and $20 for students/seniors/veterans. In addition, there is limited VIP seating at a few small, round tables that sit on floor level at the bottom of the tiered seating and in front of the stage/performance area. Tickets are $150 for a four-top table and $75 for a two-top table. To purchase your choice(s) of the above, go to https://dellarte.com and click on the "Tickets" link.