ShadowGram Update #185

SHADOWGRAM
The Official Online Dark Shadows News Updates List
Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Update List
An Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM
< ShadowGram@aol.com >

Number 185. June 29, 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.

*** SHADOWGRAM UPDATE: DS FESTIVAL'S 2008 DS RESURRECTED EVENT

Our annual DS Festival event is July 18-20, 2008, at the Burbank Airport Marriott & Convention Center, located at 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505. 1-818-843-6000.

---- SG PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT - JUST-CONFIRMED GUESTS

DAVID SELBY (Quentin) joins us on Sat., July 19 only. He presents dramatic readings from his new novel "Lincoln's Better Angel" and talks about his lifelong interest in Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. David also discusses his writings, his DS days, and his other projects and holds a Q&A session with the audience.

ROGER DAVIS (Jeff, Peter, Dirk, Charles Delaware Tate) plans to attend during the weekend.

Shortly before the convention, the Fest will send the following update by postal-mail to all pre-registered Fest members. SG premieres the update here:

DARK SHADOWS RESURRECTED
July 18, 19 & 20, 2008
Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 (818) 843-6000

ADMISSION : $30.00 for all 3 days or $15.00 for 1 day.
Children 6-12 half price. Above rates by mail until July 10th, thereafter at the door only.

GUESTS & AUTOGRAPHS
Appearing in person: Jonathan Frid, David Selby, Lara Parker, John Karlen, Kathryn Leigh Scott, Roger Davis, Marie Wallace, Jerry Lacy, Chris Pennock, Robert Rodan, Robert Cobert and Sy Tomashoff. Autographs will be signed during much of the weekend at tables in the foyer. Please note that Jonathan Frid has pre-signed photographs for banquet attendees only and will not be signing any other items.

JONATHAN FRID ON STAGE
On Saturday, special guest Jonathan Frid will host The Growth Of Barnabas, where he will screen and discuss a selection of original Dark Shadows highlights. On Sunday, Jonathan returns with An Odd Assortment Of Stage Events That Determined A Career, when he will present a selection of dramatic readings, including: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare; The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan; And So To Bed by J.B. Fagan; Washington Square by Henry James; The Heiress by Augustus and Ruth Goetz; Introducing The Coronation Of A Desperate King: King Richard III (a stimulating feature from Frid's new DVD Frid-Evil, for sale exclusively during the weekend). There will then be a cooling off with a touch of evil from Don John the villain of Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare, followed by an old chestnut, Yma Dream, by Thomas Meehan. The latter is an hilarious mix of tongue twisters and a Frid classic. Frid's performance will be capped with a surprise from Ithaca, New York -- Frid like you've never witnessed him before. His appearances will close with question-and-answer sessions.

DAVID SELBY ON STAGE
On Saturday afternoon, special guest David Selby will offer a dynamic double-header, starting with material from his Lincoln's Better Angel, the title of his latest book, which reflects on the personal impact of war and historical perspective. Following his dramatic presentation, David will take questions from the audience about both his new new projects and his days as Quentin on Dark Shadows.

LOST SCRIPT PERFORMED BY ORIGINAL ACTORS
On Sunday afternoon, for the first time ever, an unproduced script from Dark Shadows has been unearthed and will be performed on stage with all of the original actors. The script, intended as episode 628 for airing on November 20, 1968, was written by series writer Gordon Russell but was thrown out by executive producer Dan Curtis when he decided to speed up the finale of the storyline involving Adam, Eve, Jeff Clark and Angelique as a vampire.

MEMORABILIA AUCTION
At 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, a wide variety of rare and desirable DARK SHADOWS collectibles will be offered at auction, with proceeds to benefit a charity to be chosen by the DS actors. Among the featured materials will be original DARK SHADOWS memorabilia from the 1960s and many unique items.

VIDEO SCREENINGS
The M-G-M motion pictures HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1970) and NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS (1971), will be screened, plus the 1972 Dan Curtis thriller THE NORLISS TAPES, starring Roy Thinnes. Also: fan-created videos, serving as DS tributes, rare Joan Bennett material and a preview of lost footage from NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS, now being restored. Jonathan Frid's 40th Anniversary highlights and other surprises are also scheduled.

DARK SHADOWS REBORN
Big Finish Productions have issued over a dozen new DARK SHADOWS episodes with the original cast on audio CD format. More dramas are on the way, including an audio book adaptation of Lara Parker's novel "Angelique's Descent." Stuart Manning will discuss these extensions of the DS legacy and the exciting plans that lie ahead.

SUNDAY NIGHT BANQUET & JONATHAN FRID AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO
The July 20th DARK SHADOWS dinner at the Burbank Airport Marriott still has a few openings available. For those of you who have reservations for the dinner, tickets will be distributed at the hotel just prior to the dinner. Please bring your receipt with you at that time. Your autographed photo from Jonathan Frid will be given to you when you pick up your badge at registration. Please note that Jonathan will not be autographing any other items.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Marriott Academy Ballroom - Convention Center Building

FRIDAY, JULY 18
3:00pm Registration Opens
6:00 Opening/Dark Shadows On ABC
7:00 Adam & Eve Together Again -
Guests: Marie Wallace & Robert Rodan
7:45 Willie Remembers - Guest: John Karlen
8:30 A Visit With Angelique & Josette -
Guests: Lara Parker & Kathryn Leigh Scott
9:15 Dark Shadows Screening - The Lost TV Pilot
10:00 Movie: House Of Dark Shadows
11:45 Movie: Dan Curtis' The Norliss Tapes

SATURDAY, JULY 19
11:00am DS Fan Videos/Music Videos/Video Vault
12:00 New DS Movie Discussion
12:30 Dark Shadows Reborn
1:00 Shadows Production - Guest: Sy Tomashoff
1:30 The Music Of DS - Guest: Bob Cobert
2:00 DS Memorabilia Auction I
3:00 Guest: David Selby
4:30 Guest: Jonathan Frid
6:00 DS Cast Reunion
6:00 Jonathan Frid's 40th Tribute & Bloopers
7:00 Restoring Night Of Dark Shadows
7:30 Costume Gala/Skit
9:00 Movie: Night Of Dark Shadows
11:00 Late Night Horror Classics

SUNDAY, JULY 20
11:00am Dark Shadows Fan Panel
11:30 The World of Parallel Time
12:00 Guest: Christopher Pennock
12:30 Guest: Kathryn Leigh Scott
1:00 Guest: Lara Parker
1:30 The Many Faces Of Trask - Guest: Jerry Lacy
2:00 DS Memorabilia Auction II
3:00 Dark Shadows - The Lost Script
On Stage with The Actors
4:00 Jonathan Frid Dramatic Performance
Q&A Session
5:30 Final Autographs
7:00 Banquet Dinner With The Stars (By Advance Reservation Only)

All times are approximate and subject to change.

DARK SHADOWS MEMORABILIA MARKETPLACE - HOURS OF OPERATION
Friday, July 18: 6-9pm; Saturday, July 19:11am-7pm; Sunday, July 20: 11am-6pm

--- This SG Online News Updates List and the upcoming SG #113 postal-mail newsletter will announce and update all confirmed Fest developments.

--- All fans attending the Fest are invited and encouraged to send their photos and reports to ShadowGram to be included in future published SGs. In this way, all SG readers everywhere - including many of the DS personnel, who directly receive complimentary copies of every SG issue - can share through your experiences. A complimentary Contributor's Copy SG print issue is given in appreciation for major contributions.

Please send all materials by e-mail to ShadowGram@aol.com or by postal-mail to Marcy Robin/ShadowGram, P.O. Box 1766, Temple City, CA 91780-7766.

*** UPDATING NEW MERCHANDISE DEBUTING AT THE FEST

A new DVD presents Jonathan Frid in a riveting dramatic reading performance, "FRID-EVIL: JONATHAN FRID ON STAGE WITH HIS SHAKESPEAREAN ODYSSEY."

Cover notes: "This DVD presents the fascination of Shakespeare in a personal recording of a live performance in July 1990 in NYC."

The DVD cover is seen in the new SG #113.

MPI has several new products, all available by mail-order after 8-1. The plates and t-shirt will be pictured in the new SG #113.

--- 4 Individual Collector Plates: Barnabas, Angelique, Quentin, and Maggie - $49.95 each.
--- T-shirt with DS cast picture - $19.98
--- Baseball cap - $16.95
--- Computer mousepad with DS logo, black with red lettering - $7.95
--- Barnabas Ring: The iconic black-stone silver ring, back by popular demand - $

Big Finish Productions - www.darkshadowsreborn.com - are launching two new Dark Shadows CDs at the Dark Shadows Festival, "Clothes of Sand" and "The Ghost Watcher". These two exciting new dramatic readings star Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Alec Newman (Barnabas in the 2004 WB Dark Shadows pilot episode), featuring haunting music and sound effects. Each disc retails at $12.00 (£9.99) and can be pre-ordered from www.darkshadowsreborn.com, which also features trailers and cover artwork. A further four dramatic readings are planned for release between September and December 2008, and these can now be pre-ordered at a special discount price.

Big Finish are also producing a special "Dark Shadows Sampler Disc", which will be given free to every attendee of July's Dark Shadows Festival. This exciting free CD is hosted by Kathryn Leigh Scott and includes clips from the new Dark Shadows audio stories, trailers, and a special behind-the-scenes interview with Kathryn and Alec Newman, recorded during production of the new audio readings.

*** MARIE WALLACE APPEARS AT MEGASHOW
Marie (Eve, Mad Jenny, Megan Todd) asks SG to announce she guests 7-12 at the Super Megashow & Comic Fest at the Crowne Plaza in Fairfield, NJ (Rt. 46 East next to Willbrook Mall). http://www.supermegashow.com/

Fans attending the Megashow are invited to please share their photos and reports with SG. Please send all materials to SG's e- or postal- mail addresses

**** PLEASE NOTE: The latest confirmed, official news and developments about the above will be posted on this SG News Updates List and reported in upcoming SG postal-mail newsletter issues.

The published issues like SG #112 are *not * the same as this SG Online Updates List. These e-mail Updates are brief news "bulletins" to announce and update key news. The actual print SGs are complete newsletters with full details, photos, media materials, extensive information, articles, and much more. The SG Newsletters have been published for 29 years, since April, 1979.

**** Subscription information for the ShadowGram Newsletter print issues follows. When your order arrives, I will send you the current SG #112 to start / renew your subscription. The next SG #113 and subsequent issues will be sent to you and all postal-mail subscribers as they are published..

Thank you.
Marcy Robin
ShadowGram Editor / Publisher
Marcy Robin
P.O. Box 1766
Temple City, CA 91780-7766
E-mail: ShadowGram@aol.com

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SHADOWGRAM (SG) is the *Official* "Dark Shadows" Newsletter. Much of its news is provided by the show's personnel and those involved in the 1966-71 TV series, 1991 TV series, and 2004 WB pilot. Established in 1979, SG works directly with individuals, companies, and others involved in DS' creation, distribution, promotion, merchandise, etc.

Regular SG print issues are published throughout the year. Free bonus complimentary breaking-news published updates can be sent to all current paid postal-mail subscribers as needed.

Brief Update bulletins are posted on this ShadowGram Online "Dark Shadows" News Updates List / Marcy Robin's ShadowGram "Dark Shadows" Cyberspace News Updates List. These posts are sent via e-mail between regularly-published issues to quickly notify fans of time-sensitive developments. Each e-mail Update is expanded and detailed in the subscription postal-mail print issues.

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