Disney Zorro Campaign

Zorro fans - A campaign is being undertaken to get Disney Home Entertainment to open Vault Disney and release the Disney Zorro Movies starring Guy Williams (and the rest of the Disney Zorro cast) on DVD along with Zorro and Son the short-lived series that starred Henry Darrow. Your help is critical to making this happen. Please go to the Petition Walt Disney Home Entertainment webpage and sign the petition. 

 http://www.change.org/petitions/walt-disney-home-entertainment-release-your-theatrical-zorro-films-tv-show-zorro-and-son-on-dvd 

Interview With New World Zorro Composer Jay Asher

Interview With New World Zorro Composer Jay Asher by Mary-Jo Sawyer.

     It's so hard to believe I had found my New World Zorro VHS tapes I'd made when they were on TV, in 2010. From there I found, then lost (due to copyright issues),the episodes on YouTube.  Then the series became a reality on DVD in January 2011.  While we were discussing the episodes in this group (http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/New_World_Zorro/), we tended to focus more on the acting and dialogue, with just an occasional nod to the music.  Even back in January 2010, Daryl was hinting at the possibility of the soundtrack for the New World Zorro becoming a reality...and it's now available on CD baby!  Take a listen if you haven't yet at  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jayasher2

Listening to the music takes you right back to the series.  When I heard first heard Track 6 ( Mendoza the Magnificent ), I could immediately visualize Senor Mendoza walking  around  and hosting  his first dinner party in  "Ghost Story" (Disc 4, Season 1).  And the beginning of Track 13 (Remembrance ) transported me to the dream sequences in "Explosive Situation."  There are so many little snippets, that I know many of you will relate to different episodes.

One of my favorite songs is track #12 (True Believer).  While I recognize the beginning, the second part is beautiful, I just can't place it in the series.  I'll keep looking, but if anyone knows in which episode it occurs, please let me know!

Jay Asher, the music composer of the series was kind enough to answer my many questions (those in bold) about the music.

1- Could you tell us about the process of creating the music for NWZorro? Did you have a copy of the scripts so you would know what type of music to write, or were you just given general ideas?Or did you have the actual film and wrote the music after they finished shooting? The music seems to fit the scenes so well!

Originally I created a library from nothing but my imagination, which they digitally edited in. After that, once a year they would give me a few partially finished episodes that i would compose to, which was much more satisfying and they then became part of the library.

2-Did you have any say in how the music was used in the episodes, or did someone else do the editing? 
Ron Franklin did the editing, and quite well IMHO. If it were now, I would do it myself but back then I did not know how or have the equipment,which was very expensive. 

3- During this time period, how was music recorded for TV series, especially one filmed in another country? 
I recorded it here in Los Angeles.

4-Did you write the musical scores only, or did you have to gather the various musicians to play the scores before it was considered for the series?
I did write the scores and recorded the live players, which was later supplemented MIDI based samples and synthesizers and mixed with my engineer.Then Ron edited it into the show. (MIDI is a set of instructions that tells a synthesizer or sampler what to play, which then generates a sound either by triggering a sample or a MIDpatch meant to emulate a sound). 

5-What were any influences or inspirations you had for the different tracks?  To name a few...Track 20- Rocky Mendoza, Track 21-Legend of the West, Track 6-Mendoza the Magnificent, Track 13- Remembrance, and any others you care to mention.
Well Rocky Mendoza clearly was a spoof on the "Rocky" theme."Legend of the West" is Aaron Copeland lite:) The rest was just me doing my gringo version of Spanish music in the vein of the original Disney series. Not terribly original but people seemed to like it. (Yes, we liked it!)
6-Were there any specific Spanish music influences for the different tracks? Did you use any particular instrument or combination of instruments to give the music more of a Spanish flavor?
Not really although trumpet, nylon string guitar, Latin percussion,and strings were frequently featured.
7-Do you have any favorite tracks? 
Sorry, I don't remember. It was a long time ago and I have rarely watched any of it since. I really should though.(Yes, you should because the music is wonderful!).

8-Were any of the tracks (or partsof the tracks) on the CD not actually heard on the TV series?
Probably. "Legend o the West" almost certainly was not used. There was so much of the music that is lost as I only had my copies on DATs and some of them no longer worked. Lord knows what happened to the originals that were kept at a place called Interlock. So I just rescued and edited for the CD all that I could find that I could make interesting. (DAT stands for Digital Audio Tape, which was the hot media in the early 90's).

9-Both theme songs are beautiful! I know many of the NWZ fans have a definite preference. Do you prefer one version over the other? Why did they choose Track 1 over Track 2 for the series?

I greatly prefer the original because the show was a period piece but Terry Botwick of The Family Channel wanted a modern arrangement to appeal more to younger viewers. He probably was right, but I still prefer the original.

I hope everyone gets a chance to listen on CD baby then order a CD or get a download. It's only $13.99...and Christmas is not that far away, or it would make an excellent birthday gift.  Or, just go out and buy you're a fan and you deserve it!

Mary-Jo

New World Zorro Fan Groups:

Yahoo
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/New_World_Zorro/ 

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2288393438/

Zorro on Facebook

Guy Williams and Disney Zorro fans will find a great fan group on the Zorro ~ Guy Williams Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/341235882599273/

Duncan Regehr and New World Zorro fans will find a great fan group on the From Out of the Night... A Hero Must Rise Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2288393438/

Zorro fans who like all things Zorro will enjoy the Zorro's Lair Facebook page dedicated to all the wonderful actors who've played Zorro.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zorros-Lair/171326442907559

Zorro fans will also find the official Zorro Productions Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/Zorro

New Zorro Movie From Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures has signed screen writers Matthew Federman & Stephen Scaia to write the a new movie based on the 2005 Isabel Allende Zorro novel. Federman and Scaia are known for their TV work — their credits include Jericho, Warehouse 13 and Human Target. They also served as supervising producers on ABC’s short lived Charlie’s Angels. Zorro will be their second feature effort after adapting River Of Doubt, about Teddy Roosevelt’s 1914 trip down the Amazon River. No date is set for the release of this Zorro movie.

New Zorro Trailer

Duncan Regehr starred as Zorro in the New World Zorro television series
that aired on The Family Channel from 1990-1993. Now you can relive
all the romance and swashbuckling adventure with Zorro on DVD.
All 88 episodes plus a bonus never before seen pilot episode are available
from A&E Video.

Henry Darrow's Book Now Available in Print and on Kindle

Henry Darrow's new autobiography "Lightning in the Bottle" is now available in print and as an ebook on Kindle. If you love a book you can't put down then this is one to add to your collection. Author Jan Pippins artfully tells the life story of one of the most interesting and enjoyable personalities to grace Hollywood in the last 40 years. The story of this hard working and fine actor is nothing short of captivating.

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

ZORRO - The Revenge of Monastario (ZORRO - La Venganza de Monasterio)

Fernando Lupiz and Ximena Capristro return to the stage in Zorro: The Revenge of Monastario the sequel to the highly successful Zorro and the Treasure of the Blue Mountain.

Captain Monastario has tried to show the people that he has changed and that he is only interested in their welfare. But as the saying goes “greed has no limits.” And so the people are once again oppressed by Capitan Monastario’s relentless taxation. Soon Maria is detained by the Lancers for stealing the collection which is part of his plan to he seeks revenge for not being able to keep the treasure of the Blue Mountain. ZORRO must return to deal with Monatario and his men to enforce justice in California.

Join Guy Williams friend and protégé Fernando Lupiz as he brings to life one of the all-time classic heroes and most unforgettable characters in an all new story filled with humor, action and romance in... ZORRO: The Revenge of Monastario.

Descripción en Español:

ZORRO - La Venganza de Monasterio

Una nueva adventua comienza.

El pueblo esta oprimido por la rigidez del Capitan Monastrario par el cobro de los abusivos impuestos.

Los lanceros detienen a Mari (La Tamalera), acusandola del robo de la recaudacion. Aqui comienza a plan del siniestro Capitan. Quien busca revancha por no haber podido quedarse con el tesoro de la montana azul.

El Capitan Monastario intentara demostrarle al pueblo que ha cambiado y que solo la interesa el bien de ellos. Pero a medida que transcurre la historia se ve que su codicia no tiene limites.

El Zorro debera volver a enfrentarse con Monatario y sus secuaces. Para imponer justicia en California, y todo el pueblo lo apoyara en su dificil tarea. Junto al amor de Maria que lo recompensara. Los inolvidables personjes del clasico de todos los tiempos recrearan esta neuva historia llena de humor, accion y romantismo.

Website

http://www.zorro2010.com.ar/ 

On Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zorro-la-Venganza-de-Monasterio/386484234732976

Johnston McCulley Zorro Stories To Be Reissued

"ZORRO - The Masters Edition" is a compilation of more than 50 short stories, novellas, and novelettes in high quality hardcover volumes in a handsome, uniform look with all original Zorro magazine illustrations and completely new cover art by Joel F. Naprstek. Get the complete Zorro collection in this outstanding limited edition!

"ZORRO - The Comic Book Edition" Our spectacular "Comic Edition" presents selected Zorro adventures, many reprinted for the first time. You will find classic highlights  like "Zorro vs Dracula," "Zorro's Renegade," the all new complete "Alex Toth collection" and - for the first time ever - the second and final year of "Zorro - The Dailies".


Order now your own collection of the amazing adventures of Zorro.
www.ZORRO-EDITION.de

© 2012 Zorro Productions, Inc., All Rights Reserved

ZORRO Returns to the World of Radio Drama

DO YOU...
Love listening to audiobooks?
Enjoy listening to stories while on the road traveling or driving back and forth to work?
Listening to your iPod, Creative Zen (or other portable listening device) when jogging, working out at the gym or exercising at home?
Love hearing a great story?
Love swashbuckling action and adventure?

Then ZORRO has something for you! ZORRO, the swashbuckling hero of Spanish California, has found his way back to the world of radio drama with three great full-cast productions complete with sound effects and music.

Listen along as Zorro fights injustice and courts love in the Zorro story that started it all... The one that created a legend... THE MARK OF ZORRO

Zorro creator Johnston McCulley's first ever Zorro story The Mark of Zorro (originally titled The Curse of Capistrano) is a highly entertaining, fun, fast paced swashbuckling adventure from start to finish. The evil Captain Ramon rules the pueblo de Los Angeles with an iron fist and a twisted sense of justice. He's intent to capture the affections of the beautiful Lolita Pulido while at the same time destroying her family, ruining the de la Vega name and capturing Zorro. However, Zorro has other plans for he also has eyes for the fair señorita Lolita. As for the corrupt Capitan, Zorro has something for him too... the point of a blade! But will he have the strength to win this fight after being hunted and pursued like a fox day and night by Sgt Gonzalez and his men?

Nominated for a Grammy Award and 2 Audie Awards The Mark of Zorro was also recommended as one of the best audios of 2011 by Sound Commentary, Parade Magazine, and AudioFile Magazine.

Adapted for audio and dramatized by award winning Hollywood Theater of the Ear producer Yuri Rasovsky. Published by Blackstone Audio. 

The Cast:
Val Kilmer (Top Gun, Heat, Batman, Tombstone) as Diego de la Vega/Zorro
Ruth Livier (Ylse, Resurrection Blvd) as Lolita Pulido
Meshach Taylor (Designing Women) as Sgt Gonzalez
Armin Shimerman (Quark from Star Trek DS9) as the Tavern Landlord
Elizabeth Peña (The Incredibles, Lone Star) as Doña Catalina Pulido
Ned Schmidtke (*Audie winner) as Don Carlos Pulido
Keith Szarabajka (*Audie Award winner) as Captain Ramon
Kristoffer Tabori (*winner of 1 Emmy Award and multiple Audie Awards) as Don Alejandro de la Vega
Stefan Rudnicki (*winner of 2 Grammy Awards and 11 Audie Awards) as Frey Felipe
Scott Brick (*winner of 40 AudioFile Earphone awards and 2 Audie Awards) as the Governor
Phil Proctor (Firesign Theatre) in multiple roles
John Sloan in multiple roles
Gordo Panza in multiple roles 

* indicates cast members who are award winning audiobook narrators and the awards they have won as such.

http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Zorro-Full-Cast-Audio-Dramatization/dp/144172889 

ZORRO AND THE PIRATE RAIDERS

Colonial Radio Theatre brings you Zorro and the Pirate Raiders a high seas adventure that is reminiscent of the old serialized Saturday matinee picture shows of the 1940s and 50s. Captain Ramon is bent on revenge and has sold out the good people of Los Angeles. The pueblo has been ransacked by the pirate Bardoso and the lovely señorita Lolita Pulido has been carried of as part of the spoil. It's up to Zorro to bring her back alive and well..... or die trying.

CRT brings you a rousing tale filled with swashbuckling fun and adventure, booming sound effects and stirring music. 

The Cast:
Kevin Cirone as Diego de la Vega/Zorro
Shonna McEachern as Lolita Pulido
Hugh Metzler as Bardoso
J.T. Turner as Captain Ramon
Sam Donato as Sgt Garcia
Joseph Zamperelli Jr. as Friar Felipe
Dan Powell  as Sanchez and Don Audre
Narrated by Jerry Robbins

http://www.amazon.com/Zorro-Pirate-Raiders-Radio-Dramatization/dp/144189215X 

ZORRO RIDES AGAIN

CRT brings you the third story in Zorro creator Johnston McCulley's series of tales about the masked hero of Alta California. This time there's a new Commandante in charge of things in Los Angeles. Can Captain Rocha be trusted to govern justly or will he be as corrupt and power hungry as his predecessor Captain Ramon? His ruling powers will soon be put to the test for someone appearing to be Zorro has unleashed a wave of cruel deeds on the people of the district. As the cries for justice escalate the people want to know has Zorro turned outlaw or has he gone mad? Who is this masked man and who will stop him? Find out as Zorro Rides Again!

Colonial Radio Theater puts together another dynamic Zorro adventure any audio listener is sure to enjoy.

The Cast:
Kevin Cirone as Diego de la Vega/Zorro
Jeremy Benson as Captain Rocha
Shonna McEachern as Lolita Pulido
Hugh Metzler as Bardoso
Sam Donato as Sgt Garcia
J.T. Turner as Friar Francisco, Don Alejandro de la Vega, and Old Marcos
Joseph Zamperelli Jr as Juan Lopez and Friar Felipe 
Shana Dirik as Doña Catalina Pulido
Dan Powell as Juan
Elie Hirschman as Don Audre
Jerry Robbins as Esteban Rodriguez 

http://www.amazon.com/Zorro-Rides-Again-Radio-Dramatization/dp/1611062586/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1333520298&sr=1-1-catcorr 

Coming Soon......

From award winning producer Barry Creyton the sequel to The Mark of Zorro featuring Val Kilmer, Ruth Livier and a star studded cast.

The Greatest Zorro Ever

The greatest Zorro ever? Is it Guy Williams? Duncan Regehr? Tyrone Power? Antonio Banderas? Or Someone else? You decide! Cast your vote for the best Zorro of all-time in the poll located on this page.

Duncan Regehr Upcoming Art Exhibits - Summer 2012

A reception to celebrate the opening of the Transformation: A Retrospective
Works and Writings by Duncan Regehr exhibit at the Legacy Art Gallery in Victoria, British Columbia will take place on Thursday June 14, 2012 from 4:00 - 6:30pm. For those interested in attending the reception please RSVP to 250-721-6562. The exhibition runs June 13th through August 18, 2012.

Duncan will be giving a poetry reading Saturday July 14th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at the Legacy Art Gallery University of Victoria in Victoria British Columbia. If you are interested in attending please RSVP by July 7th.


Phone: 250-721-6562
Email: cr@uvic.ca

Legacy Art Gallery
630 Yates St.
Victoria, B.C.

WINCHESTER GALLERIES

Canadian Contemporary and Historical Paintings

Fine Art Dealers

REGEHR RETROSPECTIVE OPENS JULY 7th AT WINCHESTER GALLERIES

VICTORIA - Excitement is mounting for the upcoming twenty-year retrospective of Duncan Regehr's figurative oil paintings at Victoria's Winchester Galleries, July 7 to 28.

Everyone is invited when "Out of the Dragon's Eye" opens with a public reception on Saturday, July 7 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Regehr, who was born in a Year of the Dragon, has always felt its significance. He was honoured in 1988 when an old Chinese craftsman created a chop-insignia for him that combined the artist's initials with the shape of an ancient dragon. That image has been a trademark signature on the artist's work ever since.

In this Year of the Dragon 2012, Winchester Galleries has curated a collection of carefully selected works from the artist's most important series: Poetic Imagery, Witness, Occasus, Strangers, In the Company of Children, Corvus Rex, Chrysalid, Magic, Cypher, Revenant, Doppelganger and Omniscience. This exhibition runs concurrently with a multi-media career retrospective of Regehr at the University of Victoria's Legacy Art Gallery (June 13 to August 18).

By delving into the psyche and the collective subconscious, Regehr produces images that are intensely personal, but which also resonate with universality. They invite reciprocal identification by the viewer. His figurative oils hold their form, line, colour and subject matter with equal importance. One senses the hand of an artist who imbues his art with emotional intensity, exposing compelling images that are both idiosyncratic and profoundly human in nature.

Over the past four decades, Regehr has emerged as one of Canada's foremost figurative artists. His paintings, sculpture and written works can be found in important collections worldwide. He is a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and a recipient of the American Vision Award of Distinction in the Arts and an honourary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria. He has published extensively and has been the subject of numerous articles and reviews.

Contact:

Winchester Galleries, 2260 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria B.c 250-595-2777

art@winchestergalleriesltd.com 

An Interview with Duncan Regehr:

Duncan Regehr's Transformation Exhibit at UVic's Legacy Gallery

 

Henry Darrow Interview

Check out Sue Thurman's wonderful two part interview of actor Henry Darrow. You may remember Henry from Zorro (1990), The High Chaparral, Santa Barbara or his guest appearances on any of hundreds of television shows.

Part One
http://www.examiner.com/article/henry-darrow-talks-about-the-high-chaparral

Part Two

http://www.examiner.com/article/more-with-charming-henry-darrow

Henry also has a new book out. Henry Darrow: Lightening in the Bottle.

It's 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

 * Updated 08/01/12

Guy Williams Biography

From Bear Manor Media:
Guy Williams - TV's "Zorro" was apparently "a walking paradox, masculine yet sensitive, firm yet gentle, conservative yet non-conformist, macho yet intellectual, simple yet complicated" according to Antoinette Girgenti Lane who has written the definitive biography of GUY WILLIAMS, THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK. Lane finds a man who was lucky but had major disappointments in life, but those gave him character and made him the person he was. For true insights into Guy's life and career, Lane worked for over 5 years with Williams' widow, and dozens of co-workers such as Dennis Weaver, Wright King, Britt Lomond, Don Diamond, Buddy Van Horn, Suzanne Lloyd and dozens more. Extremely detailed and well written with a definitive listing of Guy's stage, film and TV work. Over 500 pages with many personal rare photos.


Available from Bear Manor Media for $32.95 plus postage at the link below! http://bearmanormedia.bizland.com/id58.html

Also available from Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Guy-Williams-Man-Behind-Mask/dp/159393016X

Visit Guy Williams - The Man Behind The Mask on Facebook at: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/GUY-Williams-The-Man-Behind-the-Mask/122605604480183#!/pages/GUY-Williams-The-Man-Behind-the-Mask/122605604480183?sk=info 

Visit Guy Williams - The Man Behind The Mask on Myspace at:

http://myspace.com/guywilliamsauthor

Patricia Medina dies at 92

Patricia Medina, widow of actor Joseph Cotton, has died at the age of 92. The British born actress will be forever remembered by Zorro fans as Margarita Cortazar the love interest of Esteban de la Cruz (Cesar Romero) in the four part story arc The Gay Caballero on the Disney series.

Medina enjoyed success in Hollywood beginning in the 1950's. She played the lead in movies such as "Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion" (1950), Francis The Talking Mule with Donald O'Connor (1950), "Sangaree" with Fernando Lamas (1953), "Plunder of the Sun" with Glenn Ford (1953), "Botany Bay" with Alan Ladd (1953), "Phantom of the Rue Morgue" with Karl Malden (1954), and Snow White and The Three Stooges (1961). She co-starred with such Hollywood notables as Jimmy Stewart in Jack Pot and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in The Fighting O'Flynn. She also starred in the early '50s adventure films "Fortunes of Captain Blood," "The Lady and the Bandit," "Lady in the Iron Mask" and "Captain Pirate" opposite Louis Hayward. In addition to movies she made appearances on such great television series as Disney Zorro with Guy Williams, Bonanza, Have Gun Will Travel, and The Man From UNCLE.

She is also the window of actor Joseph Cotton.

New World Zorro season 1 on Hulu

The first season of New World Zorro (1990) starring Duncan Regehr, Patrice Martinez, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Michael Tylo and James Victor is now available to watch on Hulu.

http://www.hulu.com/search?query=zorro&st=0&fs=

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