Final Curtain: The Last of Ed Wood

"Nobody will ever notice that. Filmmaking is not about the tiny details. It's about the big picture," said Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's award winning biopic, Ed Wood.

He was speaking as Edward Davis Wood, Jr. who was widely known for his low budget horror flicks with their technical errors, bad editing and outrageous plots. Although he was dubbed “the worst director of all time,” over time, he has amassed a following of loyal fans in the millions who appreciate the way in which he created: with little know how, a shoe-string budget and a whole lot of heart. He is an inspiration to B movie buffs as well as independent film makers and thespians. Although he didn’t receive respect as a filmmaker when his career began in the 1940s, his legacy lives on, and live on, it must.

This summer, led by Frank Cwiklik, DM Theatrics resurrects five of its original stage adaptations of Ed’s classics as Final Curtain: The Last of Ed Wood, featuring Bride of the Monster, The Sinister Urge, The Violent Years, Night of the Ghouls, and Hot Ice.  With new casts, new enthusiasm and new magic, this is a must see!

Like Ed, Frank wears many hats, acting as writer, producer, director, photographer and videographer. Also like Ed, he operates with a vivid imagination on a limited budget. However, unlike Ed, Frank’s career has gained him the respect of his peers and fans in the Independent Theatre Community. While Ed’s creations were rushed (and it often showed), Frank takes the time to sculpt a production that is polished with elements of comedy, action, burlesque, vaudeville, and technical wizardry. They are about the big picture and the tiny details. Then again, I may be biased.

Cedric Jones as Johnny Ride in The Sinister Urge

I first had the pleasure of working with DM Theatrics in 2010 during Plan 9 From Outer Space, when I got to play the wacky Space Commander Bunny. The show received a positive review in The New York Times, and ended up being one of my best theatre experiences. Frank has been foolhardy enough to cast me again, this time in four out of five of the shows taking up residence in the East Village this summer. Me, and the entire cast have been having a blast preparing for it. We love Ed Wood, and we love celebrating him with DM Theatrics.

Space Commander Bunny, Plan 9 From Outer Space

“Our shows may be loud,” according to the company website, “they may be chaotic, they may be eccentric, they may even be stupid, but they are always heartfelt and engaging, and they are never, ever boring.”

I’ll see y’all at the theatre. 

Cheers,

Ceddy (“Hikes Pants”)

FINAL CURTAIN: THE LAST OF ED WOOD

Production Stylist ANN BREITBACH * Fight Director ADAM SWIDERSKI

Choreographer SHILOH KLEIN

Based on works by EDWARD D. WOOD, JR, ALEX GORDON, and A.C. STEPHENS

Co-Producer MICHELE SCHLOSSBERG

Produced, Designed, and Directed by FRANK CWIKLIK

June 20th thru July 1st 2012

The Red Room, 85 E 4th St, third floor

SHOW SCHEDULE: WED JUNE 20 8 PM Bride of the Monster, 9:30 PM The Sinister Urge!
THURS JUNE 21 7:30 PM The Violent Years! PLUS trailers, retrospectives, and more
FRI JUNE 22 7:30 PM Night of the Ghouls PLUS shorts, trailers
SAT JUNE 23 8 PM Bride of the Monster, 9:30 PM Night of the Ghouls
SUN JUNE 24 1 PM double feature Hot Ice/Bride of the Monster
SUN JUNE 24 8 PM The Violent Years!; 9:30 PM The Sinister Urge!
MON JUNE 25 8 PM Screening of Ed Wood shorts and rarities; Details TBA
TUE JUNE 26 8 PM The Ed Wood Memorial Burlesque Blowout; Details TBA
WED JUNE 27 8 PM The Violent Years!, 9:30 PM Hot Ice
THURS JUNE 28 8 PM Night of the Ghouls, 9:30 PM The Violent Years!
FRI JUNE 29 7:30 PM The Sinister Urge PLUS a retrospective of past DMT B-movie shows
SAT JUNE 30 8 PM Hot Ice, 9:30 PM Bride of the Monster
SUN JULY 1 1 PM Matinee Double Feature: Night of the Ghouls/The Violent Years!
8 PM Hot Ice, 9:30 PM The Sinister Urge!