Duncan Regehr - Actor, Artist, Poet

Duncan Regehr famous for playing ZORRO, the swashbuckling hero of Spanish California, on The Family Channel's New World Zorro TV series from 1990-1993 is very talented actor. He's acted in every facet of the entertainment world: television, movies, theater and radio. You're very likely aware that he is considered one of the greatest Zorro's of all-time. After all when it comes to Zorro he's mentioned in the same breath as Guy Williams, Tyrone Power, Douglas Fairbanks and Antonio Banderas. In fact, in most polls he ranks in the top 2 all-time. He's even considered to be among the best actors to ever play the role of Dracula. His performance as the Transylvanian Count in the 1987 horror/comedy film The Monster Squad is a masterpiece reminiscent of the great Bela Lugosi. But here's something that you may not know, one of histories greatest Zorro's is also an incredibly talented artist as well. He paints, he sculpts, he draws. He even writes poetry. In fact, Mr. Regehr has works of art on exhibit in many of the finest museums in the world.

You can see the art of Duncan Regehr in person in the United States at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., Focus on Masters Ventura Archives for the Getty Museum in Ventura California, and Signature Gallery in Brookings, Oregon. In Canada at The Saatchi Gallery in Victoria, British Columbia. The Jilin Collection in China, The Syllavethy Collection of Scotland in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and in many more collections and museums throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.You can also see the artwork and creativity of Duncan Regehr for yourself online by going to his website. And if you like what you see you can even purchase one of his marvelous creations to add to your own collection.

Duncan Regehr will be having two exhibitions coming up. One will be at the Legacy Gallery in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). It is a retrospective of Duncan's work called "Transformation." It opens June 13th with an opening reception for the public on June 14th. The exhibit will remain open for viewing until August 18th.
All are welcome. The other exhibition will be at the Winchester Galleries in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada). It will run from July 7th - July 28th. The opening reception for the public will be on July 8th. Details can be found on Duncan Regehr's website.


http://www.duncanregehr.com/

A Review of "Zorro, The Musical" by Kathryn Grant

Zorro aficionados are sure to appreciate this review of Zorro The Musical by Zorro fan Kathryn Grant.

'Zorro: The Musical' Dazzles and Delights

The lights dim. The energetic strums of a Spanish guitar fill the theater. But it’s no recording — a live guitarist is standing on the stairs in the middle of the audience. His music pumps excitement into the room, building until a group of players burst onto the stage in a high-energy flamenco dance. And the dance ends with—what else?—a flaming Z in the center of the stage.

We’re at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, Utah, just outside Salt Lake. This relatively small theater-in-the-round seats just over 600, and today it’s packed with an audience who has come to see the US premiere of “Zorro: The Musical.”

In this retelling of the Zorro story, Don Alejandro de la Vega is the alcalde of Los Angeles. He has two young sons, Ramon and Diego. Ramon is older and more serious, and he yearns for his father’s approval. But Alejandro seems to favor the more playful, less responsible Diego. Ramon's jealousy grows over the years and finally comes to a head when Alejandro chooses Diego to succeed him as alcalde. Diego panics, however, not wanting the responsibility, and he runs away to Spain.

Fast-forward several years. Luisa (Diego’s childhood friend and love interest) comes to Spain looking for him. When she discovers him living an idle life with a band of gypsies, she informs him that his father has drowned in an accident, and his brother Ramon has become the tyrannical new alcalde of Los Angeles. Luisa persuades Diego to return to California (the gypsies, of course, insist on coming along) and the stage is set for the birth of a hero.

HCT’s plays are double-cast. I attended a Saturday performance. Sitting on the third row, just feet from the actors, I could see them clearly. Their enthusiasm for the story was evident. The acting was superb and believable. Diego/Zorro combined earnest intensity with romance and a good measure of playfulness. Luisa was genuine with an undercurrent of strength—a perfect companion for the masked man.

Ramon wasn't just a one-dimensional villain, but a complex adversary who was his own worst enemy. Don Alejandro added support as the well-meaning father whose unintended favoritism had consequences he never anticipated. Sergeant Garcia and the gypsies provided comic relief and added heart to the play. And the flamenco dance numbers delighted the audience with their precision and energy—the product of hard work, practice, and the expert tutelage of flamenco dancer and choreographer Solange Gomes.

The stage itself was revealed to be unexpectedly complex. Different sections raised, lowered, and split apart, allowing for a great deal of flexibility in staging the various scenes. There was a lot of lively swordplay, though it was obviously carefully choreographed. The costumes were colorful and interesting without being obtrusive and detracting from the play (which in my mind is one of the best compliments one can give a costume designer).

And the music—the music was integral to the play’s success on several levels. First, it fit the story and the period without being clichéd. And the leads all had excellent stage voices. They sang beautifully and with intensity, but without any straining or belting to detract. Highest praise goes to the duets by Diego and Luisa (Derek Smith and Jacquelyne Jones). It’s hard to put into words the quality of the music they created. Their voices didn’t just harmonize, they blended at the place where singers go beyond themselves and find the best way to complement their partner’s voice, making the music come alive.

And the same Spanish guitarist who began the play, Raúl Adrián Benitez, was on stage with his guitar for most of it. What a great touch his presence and talent added to the play! He was as much fun to watch as the dancers, his fingers dancing expertly on the guitar.

The bottom line—this memorable retelling of the Zorro story is well worth seeing, with top-notch acting, dancing, and singing. Kudos to the Hale Centre Theatre! The bottom line—this memorable retelling of the Zorro story is well worth seeing, with top-notch acting, dancing, and singing. Kudos to the Hale Centre Theatre!                                                                                 

                                                                                                    ~ Kathryn Grant

New World Zorro (1990) Sound Track Now Available

The sound track from the New World Zorro (1990) television series composed and created by Jay Asher is now available for purchase. The compilation offers 25 tracks including both versions of the original theme song. The series starred Duncan Regehr and Patrice Martinez.

You can find the New World Zorro soundtrack at the following sites.

CD Baby Audio Download
http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/amF5IGFzaGVy/0

CD Baby - CD
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jayasher2

Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=jay+asher

The Mark of Zorro nominated for two 2012 Audie Award for best Audio Drama

 
The Mark of Zorro starring Val Kilmer, Ruth Livier, Meshach Taylor, Armin Shimerman, Elizabeth Pena and an outstanding cast has been nominated for two 2012 Audie Awards - Best Audio Drama and Distinguished Achievement in Production.

http://www.audiopub.org/press/2012%20Audies%20Finalists%20press%20release.pdf

Henry Darrow (High Chaparral, Zorro) - Lightning in the Bottle Book Now Available

Henry Darrow (born Enrique Tomás Delgado) was the first actor of Puerto Rican heritage to star in television series. He became an international star as Manolito Montoya in the 1967 TV western The High Chaparral. However, at the height of his fame Henry Darrow put his career on the line to open doors for other Latinos. Now over fifty years later he's still blazing a trail for others to follow.

One of Hollywood's most remarkable actors he's starred or guest starred in a nearly uncountable number TV series and movies. His accomplishments include not only being the first Hispanic actor to play Zorro but the only actor to have starring roles in three different Zorro series (The New Adventures of Zorro, Zorro and Son, and New World Zorro). He's also only one of two actors to play both Zorro and the father of Zorro.

The inspiring life story of this exceptional person and actor can now be read in his new autobiography Henry Darrow: Lightning in the Bottle. Packed with wonderful stories, celebrity interviews and photos this publication captures the pioneer spirit of one of Hollywood's most endearing and enduring actors.

So highly entertaining you'll find it impossible to put down.


www.henrydarrowbook.com

Available in print and as an ebook on Kindle.

Print
http://www.amazon.com/Henry-Darrow-Lightning-Jan-Pippins/dp/1593936885
Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/HENRY-DARROW-LIGHTNING-BOTTLE-ebook/dp/B008RAYRF4/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1343851578&sr=1-1

Sound Commentary selects The Mark of Zorro as one the best of 2011

 
According to the October 1, 2011 edition of Sound Commentary The Mark of Zorro has been voted one of the best audiobooks of 2011. Here's the original review from Sound Commentary's October issue:

Campy is the first word that comes to mind to describe this story, set in early southern California, of the masked bandit Zorro who fights the abuses of the rich and powerful, humiliates them when he can, and steals from them so he can give to the poor and others in need. He also romances the special young lady Lolida at the same time. Zorro’s real identity is the effete, very rich Don Diego de la Vega who has been informed by his father that he must marry or else forfeit his inheritance. Too lazy to actually romance the beautiful Lolita, Don Diego instead is blunt and honest about his need to marry and thus turns her off just as she finds herself drawn to the dashing hero Zorro, who saves her on several occasions. Zorro’s accomplishments are told by a barkeep who fails to notice how frequently, and coincidentally, Zorro appears just as Don Diego disappears. The story may be campy but the dramatization is first class and the full cast includes many familiar narrators in smallish parts all of whom are having a very good time with this fast paced adventure story. And so will listeners. Great fun, and room for a sequel that would be very welcome! And there are many listeners who might welcome a Zorro to their towns these days!

AudioFile lists The Mark of Zorro as one of the best in 2011

AudioFile Magazine selects The Mark of Zorro as one of the best full-cast audios of 2011.


http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/best_of_2011.html#multi