The Big Whodunit: A Star Trek Murder Mystery Spoof

Convention skit
Title	The Big Whodunit: A Star Trek Murder Mystery Spoof
Author(s)	"by A. Lee Roberts with assistance from Lynn Bradley and M.E. Wahrlich"
Date(s)	1989
Location(s)	Creation Con in San Jose, California
Related articles on Fanlore.

The Big Whodunit: A Star Trek Murder Mystery Spoof was a fan-created play shown at a Creation Con in California.

the play program

The topic was mainly Star Trek: The Next Generation with some Star Trek: The Original Series.

Description from the Program

Act I: Jean-Luc "en flagrante"? Mais oui! Wesley the Wonder boy ponders adolescent impulse power. Meanwhile, on a nearby planet, ancient children Tribble out. A "Gem" glitters briefly. Some casualties occur.

Act II: Riker grosses out everyone... again... Troi is preggers... again?! Beverly blots lipstick and Pulaski sees red. Another victim, well sorta...

Act III: Car salesman tries to Khan crew. A "Datal Attraction" comes back to haunt. Lwaxana unloads. Captains Kirk and Picard unload Lwawana.

ACT IV: Wesley contemplates the consequences of adolescent impulse power while Geordi expounds on the unfairness of scriptwriters. A big party! Scotty is too forward in "Ten Forward." A major annihilation. Heads roll!

Epilogue: Sleeping Beauty is awakened by the Prince. Picard exacts his coup d'erat. News at 2300 hours!

The Cast

As per the program:

The Guys:

• Capt. Jean-Luc Picard -- Kelly Weston
• Captain. James T. Kirk -- Russell Woolridge
• Cmndr. William Riker -- Russell Woolridge
• Cmndr. Montgomery Scott -- Dick Parker
• Lt. Cmndr. Worf -- Greg Bilan
• Lt. Cmndr. Data -- Larry Lavendel
• Lt. Cmndr. Geordi La Forge -- Barry Freeman
• Ensign Wesley Crusher -- Doug DeVore
• Khan Noonian Singh -- Alec Candia
• Narrator/Heckler -- Adam Malin & Co. (courtesy of CREATION)

The Dolls:

• Dr. Kate Pulaski -- Alexandra Roberts
• Dr. Beverly Crusher -- Peggy Small
• Counselor Deanna Troi -- Samantha Deaver
• Lwaxana Troi -- Jeannie Davidson
• Nan Miller -- Lynn Bradley
• Gem -- S. Sam Vaughan
• Sascha [sic] Yar -- Kellee Benedict
• Candy -- Jeannie Davidson
• Miri -- Mary Elisabeth Wahrlich

Indeterminate Gender:

• The Tribbles -- as themselves

Acknowledgments: From the Program

There were many thank you's in the program, including one to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and Lincoln Enterprises (for the tribbles), the Santa Clara University Theatre Arts Department, the San Jose Civic Light Opera, and Foothill College.

[Thank you to] our friends, families and employers. We hope they are still talking to us after this...

Reactions and Reviews

One of the male leads (a self-identified actor) described the play as a disaster, an amateurish production in all aspects of its execution. However, his criticisms of the play most likely had more to do with differing fannish expectations than anything: con skits are known for their cheesiness, low-production values, in-jokes, and silliness. What "plays" well at a small, fan-run con where many participants know each other, does not translate well to a bigger stage. Added to this conflict of expectations, is the fact that the play was shown at a Creation Con, rather than a fan-run, not-for-profit con. This meant the audience was much more diverse, the TPTB were in attendance in various ways, fans were expecting to be entertained and get their money's worth, and this shift of filters and venue likely did not do this plays any favors.