**** SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT:
DARK SHADOWS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION UPDATES
**** MESSAGE FROM SHADOWGRAM’S MARCY ROBIN
SHADOWGRAM OFFICIAL DARK SHADOWS NEWS ONLINE UPDATE # 382
June 19, 2016
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), provides the following news in this ShadowGram Official Dark Shadows News Online Update "Bulletin."
**** SHADOWGRAM PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT:
DS 50th ANNIVERSARY: LATEST OFFICAL NEWS
The DS Golden Anniversary Celebration in Tarrytown, NY, is a few days away.
This Update releases the revised schedule of events, details various planned activities, and describes guest presentations, fan participation opportunities, a retrospective of Jonathan Frid’s one-man Readers Theatre shows, new merchandise for purchase, special and rare screenings, and much more.
More than a dozen original DS cast/crew will join us. Unfortunately, a few guests who had hoped to participate send their regrets and are unable to attend: Mitchell Ryan (Burke Devlin), Kathleen Cody (Hallie Stokes) and Robert Cobert (music composer). Each has attended previous Festivals and hopes to see the fans at a future Festival gathering.
Happily, 3 new guests from the original DS production staff will be with us and participate in a discussion panel: Video engineer Nick Besink, stage manager Daniel Morgan, and audio engineer Henry Plimack.
**** SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - TARRYTOWN DOUBLETREE HOTEL
BALLROOM (except where noted)
This schedule is subject to change and all times are approximate.
---- Friday , June 24
10:00am - 5:00 pm - An Afternoon at Collinwood (Lyndhurst Estate)
3:00pm Celebration Registration opens at DoubleTree Hotel
6:00 DS 50th Anniversary opening ceremonies with guest Sharon Smyth
6:15 DS Episode #1245 as originally broadcast on ABC-TV
6:45 Jonathan Frid on The Dick Cavett Show (1968)
7:00 Special Guests: Nancy Barrett & Kathryn Leigh Scott
7:30 Special Guests: Marie Wallace & Christopher Pennock
8:00 Special Guests: Jerry Lacy & James Storm
8:30 Special Guests: Lara Parker & Roger Davis
9:00 Movie: House of Dark Shadows with Jonathan Frid Interview (1986)
11:00 Movie: Night of Dark Shadows
12:45 Movie: Doctor Mabuse - Etiopomar (with DS cast)
---- Saturday, June 25
10:00am Celebration registration opens
11:00 Dark Shadows Fan Videos
11:30 Dark Shadows News: ShadowGram's Marcy Robin
12:00 The Collinsport Historical Society - Wallace McBride
12:30 The Collins Chronicles - Patrick McCray
1:00 Dark Shadows Lost & Found: The House
2:00 Dark Shadows Charity Auction I
3:00 Dark Shadows Lives: The Big Finish Audio Dramas
3:15 The Genesis Of A Comeback: On The Road With
Jonathan Frid - William McKinley & Mary O'Leary
4:00 50th Anniversary Dark Shadows Cast Reunion -
Questions & Answers with The Stars
5:00 Dark Shadows Bloopers
6:00 Dark Shadows Lost & Found: Surprise
7:00 Donna McKechnie In Performance
7:30 Dark Shadows Costume Celebration
8:30 Dark Shadows: Séance Fiction – The Collinsport Players
9:00 Ghost Stories with Sarah Collins
and On A Country Road horror short hosted by Sharon Smyth
10:00 Movie: The Last Case of August T. Harrison (with DS cast)
introduced by filmmaker Ansel Faraj
11:30 Movie: House of Shadows (influenced by DS)
Sunday, June 26
11:00am Doors Open/Registration Opens
11:30 Luncheon Begins/Door Prizes/Gift Bags
12:30 Dark Shadows Dramatics: Stage & video performances
by the Dark Shadows stars/Dark Shadows In Remembrance
2:30 Dark Shadows Charity Auction II
3:00 Autograph Session/DS Memorabilia Sale
5:00 Optional No-Host Fan Field Trip to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery & Private Tour
NOTE: At the Celebration Registration tables in the Doubletree Hotel, you must present your original registration payment receipt. You’ll then receive a badge; please wear it prominently to enable you to attend Celebration programming.
NOTE: For those going to the separate “Afternoon at Collinwood” visit to the nearby Lyndhurst Estate (filming site for the movies “House of DS” and “Night of DS”), you may park on the mansion grounds, walk from the hotel, or take a $2 hotel taxi ride to and/or from Lyndhurst.
At Lyndhurst, each fan must present their ticket to tour the mansion (the ticket was mailed to them with their Festival receipt). A Festival receipt will not be valid for this purpose.
Each fan is entitled to one tour of the mansion interior. These will be in groups of 20, every 30 minutes, starting at 10am and ending at 4pm. Lunch and snacks will be available at the Lyndhurst carriage house café adjacent to the gift shop in the stables area, or fans may bring their own sack lunches. There are many filming locations on the grounds: the greenhouse, abandoned pool building, bowling alley, gardens, and more.
**** 50th ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTS
---- Guest Autographs & Photo Opportunities
Throughout the weekend, the DS actors will be available to sign autographs at tables in the hotel corridors adjacent to the ballroom. There is no charge for guest signatures. Fans may purchase photographs, books and other DS materials to be autographed. Please Note: There is a limit of 2 autographs per person per each visit with a guest, with the exception of items purchased from the guests. Your cooperation is appreciated so every fan has a fair chance to greet our guests. Thank you.
---- Luncheon with the Stars – Sunday afternoon – Hotel Ballroom
All attendees of the 50th Anniversary Luncheon will receive a gift offering of DS items. Following the awarding of door prizes, there will be a variety of special video and live onstage Dark Shadows Dramatics presentations with the actors. The afternoon will end with an autograph session and the final opportunity to purchase DS merchandise.
---- Costume Celebration – 7:30 Saturday evening - Hotel Ballroom
This all-for-fun fan participation event welcomes fans of all ages to share their creativity with their own DS- or horror- influenced costumes onstage. Individually or in small groups, you can show off your costume, present a short recitation, song, or dance (no more than 1 minute, please). Entries must be suitable for all audiences.
Entry forms will be available at the Information Desk near the Registration area.
NOTE: This is not a contest. There is no fee to participate. Marcy Robin is the Costume Celebration Coordinator and onstage MC. She asks all participants to please bring their completed entry forms and attend a 7:00 Rehearsal/Information Session at the hotel’s outside gazebo pavilion immediately behind the ballroom autograph area. Thank you.
---- Special Movie Screenings
In addition to big-screen, high-definition presentations of the feature films House of DS and Night of DS, other motion pictures of interest will screen over the weekend. These include the DS-influenced House of Shadows and a pair of movies featuring original DS cast members from DS fan/filmmaker Ansel Faraj: The Last Case of August T. Harrison and Doctor Mabuse: Etiopoma.
---- Lost And Found
For the first time in 6 decades and not seen anywhere since its single original live telecast in the 1950s, Art Wallace's original teleplay of The House will be screened. Fans can see how Wallace adapted the story and setting when Dan Curtis hired him to pen DS’ “program bible” in 1966. Viewers will find many characters and story elements to be extremely familiar!
---- The Genesis of a Comeback: On The Road With Jonathan Frid
In the 1980s, after attending several DS fan conventions and contributing to the show’s return in syndication and on PBS stations, Jonathan Frid began performing dramatic one-man shows for the fans. Producer Mary O’Leary then teamed with Jonathan to form Clunes Associates to develop and present Jonathan’s professional performances across the country at theatres, schools and libraries. Among those assisting Jonathan’s creative efforts was young fan William McKinley. Now, Mary and William look back at their time working with Jonathan and travelling with his unique Readers Theatre programs.
---- Producing Shadows
On Saturday afternoon, 3 veterans from the DS production staff will share their memories of working behind the scenes. Joining the panel will be video engineer Nick Besink, stage manager Daniel Morgan, and audio engineer Henry Plimack.
---- Memorabilia Charity Auctions
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a tantalizing selection of rare and unique DS items will be offered for auction to benefit the Lyndhurst Estate, and Cure PSP (in memory of Geoff Miller). This is your chance to acquire DS collectibles and surprises, with some donated by our guests.
--- Dark Shadows Collectibles
An array of new commemorative DS-related items will be available for sale during the weekend, including David Selby’s Light & Shadows book of DS-inspired songs, poems, and photographs. MPI will debut the first-ever retro-styled DS lunchbox, the only official DS 50th Anniversary T-shirt, and a long-sleeved hoodie. Also, final copies of the commemorative limited edition, purple vinyl reissue of composer Robert Cobert’s classic Original Music From Dark Shadows soundtrack album will be available while supplies last.
NOTE: The anonymous winner of the MPI online contest to win Celebration admission and a hotel stay has been notified.
---- The Collinsport Players
A group of DS fans have joined to present a humorous tale involving dramatic happenings at Collinwood. The parody Séance Fiction promises a surprise or 2.
**** NOTE: All 50th Anniversary functions are sold out. For those unable to attend, the Festival program book will be for sale after July 1. Also available after the Celebration event: New DS merchandise from MPI ((
www.darkshadowsdvd.com)): the DS lunchbox (full-color retro style), a 50th Anniversary t-shirt with a vintage cast image, commemorative DS hoodie, and more items.
ShadowGram Updates soon will report more details about how to purchase these items after the Celebration weekend.
**** MESSAGE FROM SHADOWGRAM’S MARCY ROBIN
For 6 months, SG Updates have noted some Real Life situations I’ve had to face. These totally unexpected, unpredictable crises required all my attention, energy, and more. My entire life was upended and I had to set aside everything, including my all-volunteer DS/SG work. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding – and I’m back at last!
Since the late December accidental electrical garage/house fire at my home, cleaning, repairs, and reconstruction have progressed steadily. It’s been very traumatic and difficult in every way. Hopefully, home will again be home for us by late summer.
In late March, I needed another emergency surgery for a retinal hole in one eye; I have lifelong severe myopia and am prone to retinal damage. I’m grateful and relieved that my surgeon – a pioneer in the field – is very pleased with my recovery and cleared me to fly to NY. So I’ll be there to handle my staff responsibilities and celebrate with everyone. My thanks for all the good wishes, prayers, healing thoughts, cards, notes, and emails from so many. They truly helped lift my spirits.