**** DS DIRECTOR & PRODUCER LELA SWIFT PASSES AWAY
**** DONNA McKECHNIE –
LIVE PERFORMANCES & NEW CD SIGNING EVENTS IN NYC
SHADOWGRAM NEWS UPDATE # 363
August 5, 2015
Hello, Dark Shadows Fan,
ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following key breaking news in this Official Dark Shadows News Online Update "Bulletin."
**** DS DIRECTOR & PRODUCER LELA SWIFT PASSES AWAY
**** DONNA McKECHNIE –
LIVE PERFORMANCES & NEW CD SIGNING EVENTS IN NYC
****LELA SWIFT DIES –
LEGENDARY PIONEERING FEMALE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
LELA SWIFT, who was with “Dark Shadows” from Episode 1 to the final Episode 1225, died of natural causes at age 96 at her home in Santa Monica, CA, on Aug. 4 (yesterday).
She was born Lela Siwoff 2-1-1919 in NYC. In the early 1940s, she worked in the secretarial pool at CBS. She was assigned as a researcher for CBS chief engineer Dr. Peter Goldfarb, who developed the initial technology for color broadcasting and explored the concept of video recording. In 1948. Lela became an assistant director on the network’s “Studio One.” As television and the CBS network became more popular and available, she emerged as a pioneering female TV director for other shows, such as “Suspense,” “The Dupont Show Of The Week,” “The House On High Street,” NBC’s “The Purex Specials For Women,” and the farmland documentary “Years Without Harvest.”
Dan Curtis was an upstart TV producer when he created DS in 1966, with Lela on board as director from the start. In early 1968, Lela helped train Dan to become a director as he learned on the job with DS, ultimately directing several episodes starting with the 1795 storyline finale. Lela directed DS from the very first episode (6-27-66), a total of 588 episodes as she alternated with other directors. She was the only director to stay with DS for its nearly 5-year run. She also produced DS’ last year to the final episode (4-2-71).
Lela also assisted Dan on location when he directed his first theatrical movie “House of Dark Shadows” in 1970. She thus launched him on his extensive directing career, highlighted by his acclaimed, multiple award-winning miniseries “Winds of War” and “War & Remembrance,” plus TV anthologies, series, films, and theatrical movies as well.
Lela directed Dan’s 1969 TV pilot “Dead of Night" (with the episodic subtitle of "A Darkness at Blaisedon”) written by DS writer SAM HALL. Dan Curtis Productions '1974 “Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest,” part of ABC-TV's late-night “Wide World of Mystery” series, also was helmed by Lela.
In 1975 she began as director for ABC’s new soap “Ryan’s Hope,” ultimately directing 800+ episodes to 1989. On the show she was working again with DS’ Scenic Designer SY TOMASHOFF, who was the original Set Director for “Ryan’s Hope.”
Lela participated in an illustrious DS event and in a DS retrospective project more recently.
--- On 3-8-2003, she joined almost 20 DS cast and production personnel onstage in her only DS-related public appearance: The Museum of Television & Radio’s Paley Festival “Dark Shadows Tribute” at the MT&R Museum in Los Angeles. This special event also saw the only DS-related public appearances to date by DS actresses Alexandra Moltke and Kate Jackson.
This prestigious event was spotlighted in SG #99 (Aug. 2003) with photos and details. For info, contact SG Editor Marcy Robin at
ShadowGram@aol.com --- Lela also was interviewed in 1991 for the MPI Video documentary “Dark Shadows: Behind the Scenes.” Additional footage from that session subsequently was included as bonus features on MPI's DVD releases of the original DS episodes.
She is survived by her brother, Seymour Siwoff; sons Russell Schwartz, SVP Business and Legal Affairs at Starz, and Stuart Schwartz, an Emmy-winning TV producer; their wives; and 5 grandchildren.
**** DONNA McKECHNIE – LIVE PERFORMANCES & SIGNING OF NEW CD
DONNA (Amanda Harris, Olivia Corey) is a renowned award-winning actress/dancer/singer who has performed in many live productions, tributes, salutes, retrospectives, and more on stages worldwide. She candidly reviews her life, career, and experiences in her one-woman shows, featuring songs, dance, and her own perceptive commentary and observations.
Her new CD “Same Place: Another Time” is released 8-7.
---- Donna presents her “Same Place, Another Time” show at “54 Below – Broadway’s Supper Club” in 2 performances: Thur., Aug. 6 (tomorrow) and Sun., Aug. 9. She’s previously performed at the club.
The 54 Below Club is located at 254 W. 54th St., Cellar, NYC 10019. (646) 476-3551.
http://54below.com/artist/donna-mckechnie/ Doors open at 5:15pm both evenings. There is a $50-$60 cover charge and a food & drink minimum of $25. Premiums are $95.
54 Below publicity: “Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie graces the stage of 54 Below with a return engagement of Same Place: Another Time: a musical déjà vu celebrating the scintillating 70’s in New York City – the heyday of Studio 54. McKechnie, best known the world over for creating the role of Cassie in A Chorus Line, is also well-known for her Broadway appearances in State Fair; On the Town; Company; Promises, Promises; and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. For these two very special performances, Donna will salute this remarkable era via the music of Jim Croce, Peter Allen, Marvin Hamlisch and Stephen Sondheim. The evening will also include a special tribute to Kander & Ebb, celebrating their last musical The Visit.”
SG previously announced that Donna is the stand-by for star Chita Rivera in this acclaimed new play “The Visit.”
---- ALSO:
Donna will perform and sign copies of the CD at a special “Author Event,” starting at 7:00pm on Mon., Aug. 10, at Barnes & Noble at 150 E. 86th St., NYC, NY 10028.
212-369-2180.
The store is on the Upper East Side at 86th St, and Lexington Ave.
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/88071-0 Publicity: “Tony Award-winning performer Donna McKechnie and music director Steve Marzullo perform songs from and sign copies of her new CD, ‘Same Place: Another Time.’ This event will be wristbanded. Priority seating with CD purchase.”
SG invites and welcomes all fans attending Donna’s events to please share with SG their reports, photos, video footage, event handouts, local publicity, media articles, interviews, reviews, etc. Each experience and perspective is unique and helps let SG readers who can’t attend “be there with you.”
