Number 188. August 8, 2008.
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Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news.
**** DS FESTIVAL - DS RESURRECTED EVENT - REPORT:
On the weekend of July 18-20, 2008, over 1,200 fans gathered for the DARK SHADOWS FESTIVAL cast reunion and fan convention in Southern California at the Burbank Airport Marriott & Convention Center.
The event welcomed the return of Jonathan Frid to his first DS Festival gathering on the West Coast in over 15 years. Other guest celebrities joining us were David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Jerry Lacy, Marie Wallace, Christopher Pennock, Robert Rodan, Roger Davis, Sy Tomashoff, and Robert Cobert.
Friday evening highlights included the screening of original episode #207 from 1967, just prior to the arrival of Barnabas, with the original ABC-TV commercials. The rest of the evening featured Marie, John, Kathryn, and Lara onstage to comment about DS clips containing scenes of their work, followed by special video screenings.
On Saturday, scenic designer Sy Tomashoff and music composer Robert Cobert offered insights into the production of DS. They reminisced and discussed how they helped create DS' distinctive sets and atmospheres, and its iconic soundtrack. Next David Selby enthusiastically bounded onstage tossing confetti in the air, exclaiming that Quentin Collins should be running for president. He then spoke at length about his thought-provoking new novel, "Lincoln's Better Angel," touching on historic and contemporary issues and ideas. He also recalled his DS days and answered audience questions.
After David's interesting session came what was undeniably the biggest highlight of the weekend. John Karlen walked onto the empty stage in character as Willie Loomis. Carrying a lit candlelabra, he declared he was looking for the Collins family jewels. Then, from behind closed curtains, the echoing voice of Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins was heard calling out to Willie. Karlen parted the curtains, revealing a chained coffin that he quickly opened. Inside was Jonathan (alias Barnabas), who brandished his familiar wolf's-head cane and commanded John (Willie) to get him out of the casket. This was the introduction to Jonathan's first onstage appearance of the weekend.
Jonathan then hosted a series of DS clips that examined "The Growth Of Barnabas," inserting his own comments about each scene. Next was an audience question-and-answer session. After he departed, the rest of the DS guests in attendance came onstage for a cast reunion and audience Q&A, followed by autographs in the foyer.
Saturday evening saw a special preview clip of a partially-restored scene from the 1971 motion picture "Night Of Dark Shadows." (There are no definite details yet for the release of "Night" or "House of DS" on dvd, though "expected in 2009-2010." SG will announce and report all confirmed news.) Then over 2 dozen fans shared their creativity by participating in the traditional Costume/Presentation Gala, showing a variety of DS and original characters in their own costumes, songs, recitations, dances, and skits.
On Sunday, Jonathan returned with an onstage selection of dramatic and humorous readings and in screened videos: One an intense scene from Shakespeare's "Richard III" and another from a casual event years ago at his cousin's home in Ithaca, NY, in which Jonathan recites a scene completely in Spanish, a language he studied in depth after DS ended.
Also on Sunday, Jerry, Chris, Lara, and Kathryn had individual times onstage to talk and answer audience questions. Then Lara, Roger, Marie, and Robert performed in character as Angelique, Jeff, Eve, and Adam in a reading of an original 1968 DS script that was never produced after executive producer Dan Curtis had it tossed out.
The weekend was capped with the Sunday night banquet. Nearly 700 fans joined Jonathan, Lara, Kathryn, John, Jerry, Marie, Chris, and Roger for door prizes and video screenings as the DS Resurrected Weekend ended.
The upcoming SG #114 print issue will feature details from the Burbank Fest as well as exclusive and behind-the-scenes photos.
--- Special SG Announcement:
Jonathan Frid and SG plan "a special feature in the coming Shadowgram" (SG #114 print issue), with Jonathan's own "footnotes" about his 2 programs at the Burbank Fest.
SG is delighted to share his comments and thoughts in the next postal-mail SG newsletter. On this SG Online Updates List, I will report further information and announce when the issue is published and being sent to current postal-mail subscribers.
Jonathan's official website:
www.jonathanfrid.com--- I thank all the many people who helped me and everyone at the Fest with your enthusiasm, assistance, cooperation, kind compliments, support, and more. All of us on the Fest staff are volunteers, and a number of fan volunteers also gave their time to help during the weekend. I - we - all hope everybody enjoyed sharing DS together with the guests and fans of all ages from across the US, Canada, and England.
**** DAVID SELBY ON TV AND IN NEW FILM
--- David (Quentin) guests as "Richard Patrick Woolsley III" on TNT's legal drama "Raising the Bar" in the episode "Richie Richer." It premieres Mon., Sept. 22, at 10:00 pm ET/PT.
TNT publicity: "Richard's extremely wealthy father ((David)) offers Roz a job at his high-profile firm." Please send SG any articles, reviews, or publicity you find about the episode.
Recent SG print issues and this Update List detailed David's role as "Arthur Foster" in HBO's explicit drama "Tell Me You Love Me." HBO had renewed the series for a 2nd season, but now has cancelled it. The entire 1st season is on dvd.
--- David portrayed "Dr. White" in the independent movie "Run For Her Life," filming in Santa Fe, NM, in late July.
**** DONNA McKECHNIE ON STAGE
Donna (Amanda Harris / Olivia Corey) starred in "Girl's Room" in NYC late last year. ((See SG #112 for publicity and reviews)) She and co-star Carol Lawrence reprise their roles in the West Coast premiere of the play at the El Portal Theatre from 10-8 to 11-2.
Theatre publicity: "A young ballet dancer about to break into the big-time has another kind of break - an accident that could end her career. Two Broadway legends, Donna McKechnie, who created the role of Cassie in 'A Chorus Line,' and Carol Lawrence, Broadway's original Maria in 'West Side Story,' star in this charming new comedy about three generations of lively women - the lies that bind them together - and the truths that tear them apart. A laugh-filled, moving evening wrapped in a rollercoaster of emotions."
Tickets are $45-$55 and are now available. Performances will be Thurs.-Sun. evenings with Wed. and Sun. matinees. The historic El Portal Theatre is at 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.
Online:
https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/60262Or call 1-866-811-4111 or 818-508-4200.
**** DS MENTIONS: ON TV - ONLINE - ON SCREEN
--- An upcoming HBO special spotlighting their new vampire series will include original DS footage of Jonathan Frid as "Barnabas." The 30-minute special is titled "True Bloodlines: A New Type" and should premiere sometime around Sept. 1.
--- The online "Macabre Mansion" program for Halloween will broadcast 2 DS pieces. "Uncle Mortimer" at Macabre Mansion tells SG: "This year the 2008 Macabre Mansion Special Halloween Broadcast will be featuring 2 DS programs; 'DS, Return to Collinwood' and 'DS, The House of Despair'. Beginning Sat., Oct. 25, and continuing through Halloween, Oct. 31, listen to Macabre Mansion for these two DS audio productions as well as a special broadcast introduction recorded for us by Mr. David Selby."
For more information visit:
http://www.macabremansion.com/index.php?room=news--- The 2 movies "House of DS" (1970) and "Night of DS" (1971) are airing on the Chiller TV network in Aug. and Sept. Currently scheduled (Eastern Time):
House of DS:
8-19 9:00pm / 8-20 12:00am / 8-24 9:00am & 3:00pm / 9-10 10:00 am & 4:00pm / 9-19 10:00am & 4:00pm / 9-24 4:00am
Night: of DS
8-20 9:00pm / 8-21 12:00am / 8-24 11:00am & 5:00pm / 9-17 10:00am & 4:00pm / 9-25 4:00am
--- Both movies are expected to screen Oct. 17-18 as part of a "Shock It To Me!" Horror Film Festival at the historic Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., San Francisco, CA. 415-621-6120.
**** SG continues to invite all fans who attended the Fest to share their photos and reports for the upcoming print issues. My thanks to those who already have sent their pictures, because each captures a unique moment, expression, and mood. In this way, all SG readers everywhere - including many of the DS personnel, who directly receive complimentary copies of every SG issue - can be part of the Fest experience. You will be named as a Contributor in the issue(s). A complimentary Contributor's Copy SG print issue is given in appreciation for major contributions.
Please send all photos/images via email in jpeg format to
ShadowGram@aol.comOr you can send hard-copy by postal-mail to Marcy Robin / ShadowGram, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766.
Please share with SG any mentions you find for any of the above projects and events: Publicity, media articles and reviews, photos, program books, etc. Those attending Donna's play or the Castro Theatre screenings are invited to please share their reports, pictures, media reviews, program book, etc. Please send all materials to SG's e-mail or postal-mail addresses below, with thanks.
Thank you in advance for sharing!
**** Subscription information for the ShadowGram Newsletter print issues follows. When your order arrives, I will send you the current SG #112 and the new SG #113 to begin / renew your subscription. The next SG #114 and subsequent issues will be sent to you and all the postal-mail subscribers as they are published..
Thank you.
Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766
E-mail:
ShadowGram@aol.com
