Before Gates McFaddenwho, in the role of Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generationtaught Data (Brent Spiner) to dance, choreographer Cheryl McFadden (first name Gates) taught Mr. “Let’s Dance” himself, David Bowie, waltzes on set Labyrinth.
Because space geeks and goblins love when their fandoms collide, the news that for her TNG role, McFadden was director of Choreography and Puppet Movement on Jim Henson films including: The dark crystal and The Muppets take Manhattan, breaks every few years when a Trekkie journalist or David Bowie die-hard hears about it for the first time. In a tweet sent on September 16, 2022, the Twitter account “Holodeck Four” (@holodeckfour) shared several images highlighting McFadden’s work as the “Director of Choreography and Puppet Movement” for the 1986 cult classic. Labyrinthstarring David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King, and Jennifer Connelly as Sarah Williams, a teenager who searches the center of the eponymous maze to save her little brother from Gareth.
Originally, McFadden was cast to play the role of Sarah’s mother and agreed to do the choreography in addition. However, due to British labor laws, she was not allowed to appear on screen, although she was told for two years that she would be performing both roles, instead playing only the choreographer’s role. In the final cut of the film, she is credited with her first name, Cheryl McFadden. This is because her choreography work is usually credited in such a way.
McFadden is best known for her role as Dr. crusher on TNG and in the Star Trek movies. She also recently appeared on an episode of Star Trek: Prodigy and will reprise the role for the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard. While she may be best known as Starfleet, she has an extensive theater resume. At the Jim Henson Company, she was also the director of Choreography and Puppet Movement for 1984’s The Muppets take Manhattanin which she also appeared on screen in the role of Nancy, secretary to Martin Prince.
Gates McFadden is a successful stage actor
In addition to performing in front of and behind the camera, McFadden is also an accomplished stage actor. In 1992 she performed in four performances of a stage performance by Every good boy deserves favorwho played with dude TNG alums Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner and Colm Meaney. And that’s not all for this multi-talented Starfleet officer. McFadden has also taught at multiple universities (including Harvard, Purdue, and the University of Pittsburgh) and was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California’s School of Theater.
McFadden remains involved in the trek community, too. In 2021 she told and produced The middle seat: 55 years of Star Trek, a documentary series for the History Channel. She also hosts a podcast with many guests familiar with Trekkies: Gates McFadden investigates.