Folks as you know we are all on the balls of our tookus in this economy.  We are selling off pieces of our collections.  I have relisted the Dan Curtis Address Book on eBay. 

Further we have two Barnabas Dolls in their original cases never opened that were signed by Frid at the Fest.  We have listed them here at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=150340900058 

Warmly,
John

For over 160 years Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol has been reinvented time and time again. Mrs. Scrooge (A New Christmas Carol) is yet another adaptation of everyone’s favorite Christmas classic.  Although this version has a bit of twist, forget Alastair Sim, George C. Scott and Patrick Stuart, because this year you can get “Scrooged” from Soap and TV Star, Lara Parker (eat your heart out Susan Lucci).  Ms. Parker gave you nightmares as a child as the blonde and bewitching “Angelique” on ABC’S gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows, and she is Witchier then ever starring as Ebba N. Scrooge in this new version of Dickens yuletide perennial classic.  Joining Ms. Parker is Fashion critic, red carpet walker, and TV Personality Leon Hall as her ghostly sidekick the dead Fashion aficionado “Jacque Marlee”.

In this present day version of A Christmas Carol we see miserly, money hungry and power ridden Ebba N. Scrooge.  She is estranged from her nephew Fred, a complete nightmare to her employees, and preferring software programs to people.  Mrs. Scrooge (A New Christmas Carol) is set in modern day Manhattan, while retaining much of the original Dickens flavor, to that end Ebba has just one Christmas Eve to learn the true meaning of the season and warm her cold uncaring heart. This Dramedy includes a cast of ten performers, and is written, adapted and directed by Peter Mac.  Mac is no stranger to NYC audiences having penned the runaway Off-Broadway hit Judy and Me.

Lara Parker achieved overnight fame for her delicious portrayal of the evil Witch "Angelique" on ABC's cult classic soap opera Dark Shadows, and would reprise her role in the 1971 MGM film Night of Dark Shadows. In 1975 Ms. Parker starred with Peter Fonda in Race with the Devil, and along side Bill Bixby as Mrs. Bruce Banner in the hit series The Incredible Hulk.  Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s Ms. Parker made numerous guest appearances on: Kojak; Alice; Galactica 1980; P.S. I Love You; and Highway To Heaven. In 1998 she made her writing debut with the Dark Shadows novel, Angelique's Descent (published by Harper Collins), followed by Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch in 2006 (published by TOR books).  This is a rare stage appearance for the beloved actress and is testament to her support and encouragement of Mac and Help Is On The Way Today.

Mrs. Scrooge plays Saturday December 15 at 8 PM and Sunday December 16 at 2 PM and 7 PM. The doors open one half hour before show time each performance.  Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to benefit Help Is On The Way Today.  Mrs. Scrooge plays in New York City at the Producers Club in the Royal Theatre on 358 West 44th street, between 8th and 9th Avenue.  Reservations are strongly suggested as the venue is an intimate one they can only be made by pre-paying via Check or Money Order. Send payment to: Help Is On The Way Today, c/o Joseph Macchia at 52-30 65th Place #2C Maspeth, NY 11378.  For additional information please call: 718-290-0660.  Please note that all checks or money orders should be made payable to: Help Is On The way Today.  Tickets will also be available at the door the day/night of each performance but preferred seating will go to those who have prepaid for their reservation.

All ticket proceeds go to benefit, Help Is On The Way Today, a non for profit organization assisting children with HIV and AIDS in the tri-state area. Their mission is to provide assistance to those who have either no or limited financial and/or medical coverage. Specifically, to support cases in which current government sponsored programs fall short in covering existing medical expenses.  It is an inclusive organization with the goal that no child will ever be turned away.  Over the last three years the organization has raised over $57,000, and recently has supplied two children who had fallen through the system’s cracks and are living at Incarnation Center in NYC with motorized wheelchairs.  This past year the organization continued its “Project Backpack” and was able to donate 200 backpacks for HIV positive children on their way back to school.  At present they are currently gearing up for their annual holiday toy drive.

So come and join Mrs. Scrooge and company for a holiday show guaranteed to brighten your hearts, lift your December spirits and warm those ever needy cockles. God bless us...everyone!

Well we survived another Halloween DS Themed Party in Tarrytown this year.  In attendance were Diane Eckert (who I have known over 30 years...OY we are OLD!), our best friend Helen Samaras, the dear hearted Walter Down...is there a nicer guy on the planet?, photog and reconteur Jay Keavney, blogger- Fridian/Freudian all around gal pal Nancy Kersey, and a host of others!

Here are a bunch of pics of the event:

http://www.judyandme.com/new.html

Here are a couple to whet your appetite:

Folks I believe in the power of prayer.  Our friend Craig Hamrick is
not doing so well.  Those of us who saw him at the festival a couple
of weeks ago will be shocked I am sure.  Craig of course has kept the
torch alive by writing books and maintaining Dark Shadows online.

Craig is a dear friend who has taught me strength.  He has been there
on so many occasions the last couple of years for Peter and I both
professionally and personally.

Earlier this morning I received this email from Craig's lover and our
friend Joe:

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Salvatore
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 1:57 AM
To: Joe Salvatore
Subject: craig hamrick's condition

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I wanted to let you know that Craig's health has deteriorated
significantly over the past three days, and this afternoon he
entered
a hospice facility here in NYC.  His mother, stepfather, and brother
arrived today, and the doctor has said that Craig is entering the
final stage of his battle with colon cancer.  No one is sure how
long
the battle will continue.  The doctor was talking in weeks on
Monday,
but Craig's condition got worse pretty quickly on Tuesday.  We will
need to wait and see.

Craig is comfortable, fairly alert, but dealing with confusion and
disorientation.  His liver is failing, and this is causing the
toxins
to build up in his bloodstream.  Hence the confusion.  He is not in
pain at this point, which is helpful.

I'm sorry that this is coming to some of you in an email, but as you
can imagine, the last few days have been overwhelming and a
struggle.  Not sure what to say about visitors.  I will try to get a
sense tomorrow and see what he thinks.

My ability to access email during the day is limited, as I will be
balancing time at the hospice and my work schedule.  I will do my
best to keep you informed.

As always, thank you for all of your support.  It holds us up as we
move through these moments.

With much thanks,

joe

************************************

May we all send a word to the higher power and ask to provide
comfort for both Joe and Craig.

Warmth and friendship to each one of you today.

John