ShadowGram Online Dark Shadows News Updates List Marcy Robin's Cyberspace "Dark Shadows" News Update List An Internet Publication of SHADOWGRAM < ShadowGram@aol.com > Number 179. November 19, 2007. ********************************************* Hello, Dark Shadows Fan, ShadowGram (SG), The Official Newsletter & News Source for Dark Shadows (DS), announces the following breaking news. **** BEN CROSS EXPECTED TO PLAY MR. SPOCK'S FATHER SAREK IN NEW STAR TREK FILM Ben (1991 DS' Barnabas) is anticipated to portray "Vulcan Ambassador Sarek" in the new STAR TREK movie. The as-yet untitled project is directed by J.J. Abrams (LOST). Only general information has been released; no confirmed script details have been announced. The planned release date is December 25, 2008. The eleventh in the STAR TREK series of feature films (beginning with STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE in 1979), the story will follow the iconic characters of Captain James Tiberius Kirk and his First Officer Mr. Spock through their early years as cadets at Starfleet Academy and their first travels in space. A week ago, Ben's official website reported he would play the father of the half-Vulcan, half-human Mr. Spock. Other castings have been announced in recent months, including Zachary Quinto (HEROES) as the young Mr. Spock and Chris Pine as the young Jim Kirk. Spock at an older age will be portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, who created the role in STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES 1966-69. Ben's official website: www.bencross.com Following is the announcement from TrekMovie.com --- Ben Cross Is Sarek (November 18, 2007) by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST08 Cast "TrekMovie.com first reported that Spock's father Sarek would appear in the new Star Trek and now we can report who will be playing him. After receiving a tip, TrekMovie.com has confirmed with a trusted source that 59 year-old English actor Ben Cross will be playing Sarek. Cross himself has seemingly confirmed it as well, as Star Trek is listed on his official site. Spock's Vulcan father was originally played by the late Mark Lenard. Cross may be best known for his his starring role in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. More recently the actor has seen in Exorcist: The Beginning and the BBC mini-series Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial. Cross will be playing across the 36 year-old Winona Ryder who is portraying Spock's human mother Amanda Grayson. "Spock's father Sarek has appeared a total of eight times over the Star Trek franchise (including four out of six of the TOS feature films). The first appearance was in the TOS episode "Journey to Babel" where it was first established he was a Federation Ambassador. That episode also revealed that Spock's decision to go to Starfleet Academy instead of the Vulcan Science Academy created an estrangement between father and son. Sarek was last seen at the time of his death in the two part Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Unification" which also featured Leonard Nimoy playing Spock. More on Sarek at Memory Alpha. "Ben Cross has dozens of film and TV roles to his name starting with a small role in the 1976 WW II movie A Bridge Too Far. He has appeared in a number of genre projects over his career including starring as the vampire Barnabas Collins in the 1991 mini-series remake of Dark Shadows. Cross played an alien in the 1997 low budget sci-film The Invader in which he starred with Sean Young. Cross' latest genre project was the direct-to-video Species: The Awakening where he starred alongside Star Trek Enterprise's Dominic Keating. The actor also recently appeared with Star Trek: DS9's Alexander Siddig in the 2006 TV Movie Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare and with TNG's Marina Sirtis in the 2007 TV Movie Grendel." Confirmed news will be reported on this SG Online Updates List and in the upcoming SG #112 published postal-mail newsletter, as well as subsequent print issues. Please share with SG any media references you find. Send material to SG's e- or postal- mail addresses below. **** LARA PARKER IN HOLIDAY PLAY ADAPTATION IN NYC Lara (Angelique, Cassandra, Alexis, Catherine) will portray "Ebba N. Scrooge" in a contemporary adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic seasonal tale "A Christmas Carol." Set in modern-day Manhattan, her character is based on the familiar Ebenezer Scrooge, the tightwad, flinty businessman who has no time or kindness for Christmas, no interest in holiday cheer, and no need for "Glad Tidings" or "Joy to All". The production benefits Help Is On The Way Today, a not-for-profit organization that assists children with HIV and AIDS in the tri-state area. There will be 3 performances only: Sat., Dec. 15, at 8:00 and Sun., Dec. 16, at 2:00 and 7:00. The play is at the Producers Club in the Royal Theatre at 338 W. 44th St., NYC (between 8th and 9th Avenues). It is an intimate venue and reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets will be available at the door for each performance, but preferred seating will be given to those who have prepaid reservations. Tickets are $25 each and all proceeds go to benefit the charity. Please make your check/money order payable to Help is On The Way Today. Send payment to Help Is On The Way Today, c/o Joseph Macchia, 52-30 65th Pl. #2C, Maspeth, NY 11378. Fans attending the play are encouraged to please send reports, pictures, local publicity and press materials to SG's e- or postal- mail addresses (below) so fans who cannot attend can share your experience with you, through upcoming SG print issues. *** The above news will be expanded and detailed in the upcoming published SG #112 edition of ShadowGram, The Official DS Newsletter & News Source. That issue is being prepared now for all postal-mail subscribers. This Updates List will announce when it is published and mailed. **** Subscription information for the ShadowGram Newsletter print issues follows. When your order arrives, I will send you the current SG #111 published issue to start your subscription. SG #112 and subsequent issues will be sent to 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 ***************************************************************** 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, with free bonus complimentary breaking-news published updates 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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