Interviews with the Cast & Creators!
Interview series with David Nijawan from What's Up NW
David: "I had no idea that I would spend 26 hours interviewing 8 people over the course of three weeks to write this article. I had no expectations going into the show nor did I expect to want to write an article. I was just lookin’ for nuthin’ but a good time (pun intended). I walked out at intermission asking one of the cast mates to introduce me to the director to ask if he’d be willing to let me interview him. One interview led to another and so forth, and baaaaam, I have an entirely new set of really talented people I know. To be sure, not everything made it into this article, but the process spawned so many other forthcoming article ideas. I could write a separate article, literally, about each actor and her story and inspiration. This group of artists is easily one of the most diverse I’ve ever met, and I enjoyed every minute of the process."
Dylan & Julia Make Contact with Dennis & Cindy!
Birmingham, UK: The Original Alice Cooper Band Reunite
After the 2nd year run of "Shock Opera," we went to Europe for a working vacation. We hightailed it over the Birmingham, UK to go to Dennis' book signing at Swordfish Records on November 13, the night before the original Alice Cooper Group would play for the first time in 48 years. We made it to Dennis' website as well. Cindy, his wife, aka "The Blonde" and pioneer in glam rock was there. Cindy reminded us to keep the vision of how the band glittered throughout history. We will always remember the costumes, Cindy!
Keep Updated about Dennis:
Read more about the bands' history and stories you've never heard of before.
Dennis Dunaway Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dunawaysrock/
Dennis Dunaway Website:
Buy his book, "Snakes, Guillotines, Electric Chairs!"
Director & Writer's Notes
By Dylan Hillerman
The first time I saw Alice Cooper was in the televised Halloween special, "Welcome to My Nightmare," in 1977. My grandmother allowed me to watch it because we were both Halloween freaks and Vincent Price fans. Price performed in it, too.
I asked my mother who this man named Alice was. I'd heard on the school playground that he cut a chicken's head off on stage, let it run around, and then drank its blood. How did this guy get on the Muppet Show? Mom says, "Oh Alice Cooper is a guy who has no talent, so he hides it with shock value." No talent? So how did he land that mysterious query that Muppets gig? I thought to myself. That was the beginning of the mysterious query that took me decades to unlock. I'd not heard the last of Alice.
The next time Alice entered my life was 1984. I moved around a lot as a kid, much like Alice did. I learned to make friends fast by telling jokes and ghost stories. A friend in 8th grade loaned a "Welcome to My Nightmare" cassette to me and I was hooked.
I spent the next four years collecting all of their albums, except for the elusive first two the band recorded with Frank Zappa. They were legendary and nowhere to be found.
In 1989, I personally wrote to Alice Cooper and asked him to re-release "Pretty's For You" and "Easy Action". The both came out the next month on CD. Coincidence?
In 2016, I wrote SHOCK OPERA, based on multiple sources. The first act is mainly inspired by Dennis Dunaway's book "Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs!" The same week we completed auditions, the original Alice Cooper band reunited for a new album and tour. Coincidense?
This play is many things. It's a mirroe, it's a hologram, it's a dark comedy, it's a play about the guys who invented the rock show!
There are too many themes and motifs to discuss before you watch and enjoy. So just do that. Watch and enjoy.
This play is in it's embryonic stage, and I expect it will grow wildly under these perfect conditions. We have a cast and crew of people I love and trust. All of them tremendously talented friends of mine.
Special thanks to Julia Reodica, Carrie Bounds, Michele Davis, the Cast and Crew and Rocket for making the magic happen.
-DH
T-Shirts Available!
Fundraising for movie production!
When you contribute to "SHOCK OPERA," you will be helping this independent production turn the play into a movie! The cast & crew are grateful for all of the support local and globally.
Funding levels:
$10 SPECIAL FORCES: 4 show buttons and a show poster
$28 SICK THINGS: Show T-Shirt, 2 show buttons, and a show poster. Price includes shipping in the U.S. For international shipping, it is $35 for goods and shipping. T-Shirts are LARGE men's size unless you contact us with your size.
Once your PayPal payment is processed, please allow for 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. These shirts are printed in batches. Thanks again!
PAYPAL: guignolfest(at)gmail.com
