ARCHIVES: Historic fight for Pennsylvania miners retold in emotional one-man play in Scranton
In the basement of the rectory of St. John Neumann Parish in Scranton on Wednesday night, the spirit of the area’s “Labor Priest,” Rev. John J. Curran, was resurrected for one night of live theater. Award-winning actor Gary Anderson, who was in town to portray historical lawyer Clarence Darrow in “Honoring the Judiciary: Clarence Darrow’s […]
ARCHIVES: While filming documentary in Scranton, Rocky impersonator is ‘living the dream’
Sylvester Stallone may have shot his last “Rocky” film, but another Rocky’s story has just begun. Last Saturday morning, a small film crew drove into Scranton to embark on their second day of shooting an as-yet-untitled documentary inspired by “Cue the Rocky Music,” a memoir written by city native Mike Kunda. The book recounts Kunda’s […]
ARCHIVES: Paul Sorvino remembers ‘artistic brother’ Jason Miller as Broadway revives ‘Championship Season’
When Paul Sorvino first met playwright and fellow actor Jason Miller, he immediately left a lasting impression as they locked eyes with a look he would never forget. Within hours of their first meeting, Sorvino was sure that his life, and his career, would be changed forever by the man and his work. As Miller’s […]
ARCHIVES: Jason Miller documentary ‘Miller’s Tale’ premieres as Broadway revives ‘That Championship Season’
Before actor and playwright Jason Miller was directed by award-winning filmmakers like William Friedkin, he was the star of a short film by an inexperienced college student. As he often shied away from the national spotlight, Miller probably enjoyed the latter more. Rebecca Ferris, founder of Cottage Films in New Orleans, grew up in Scranton […]
ARCHIVES: Cafe Metro documentary captures final meaningful moments of Wilkes-Barre all-ages venue
Last September, the local music scene suffered a major loss when underground music venue Cafe Metropolis in downtown Wilkes-Barre closed its doors after 14 years. To lesson the blow, Stephanie Ogozaly has created a memento in documentary form called “The Metro,” set to premiere Saturday, January 15 at 8 p.m. at The Vintage Theater in […]
ARCHIVES: ‘Cue the Rocky Music’ for the Rocky Balboa of West Scranton
A familiar theme song begins to run through Mike Kunda’s head as he ascends the front steps of West Scranton High School. When he reaches the top, he turns around and raises his hands in the air triumphantly. Sporting a leather jacket, black fedora, and fingerless gloves, he is no longer the scrawny little kid […]
ARCHIVES: Chubby Checker talks 50 years of ‘The Twist’ and turns in his career before Mt. Pocono show
In 1960, Chubby Checker released a song called “The Twist” that changed the face of music forever, starting a dance craze that still exists in many forms to this day. 50 years later, the man is still twisting and looking forward to tearing up the dance floor of Gypsies Lounge & Nightclub at Mount Airy […]
ARCHIVES: Riverside students ‘Fight Like a Girl’ in self-defense demo at Taylor Community Center
Four students from Riverside Junior/Senior High School in Taylor proved last Sunday that the phrase “fight like a girl” doesn’t have to be an insult. As part of their senior project, 17-year-olds Autumn Werner, Samantha Eiden, Bill Loughney, and 18-year-old Randy Royce performed a free self-defense demonstration last Sunday at the Taylor Community Center that […]
ARCHIVES: Motionless In White rides national success home to Scranton for ‘Creatures’ CD release show
Singer Chris Cerulli has always been ready for fame. Ready or not, however, not even he could have predicted that his band Motionless In White would blow up across the country as quickly as they have. Starting out as a local cover band in 2005, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre-based metal/screamo group worked tirelessly to find their own […]
ARCHIVES: Scranton filmmaker tells actor Jason ‘Miller’s Tale’ in upcoming documentary
Rebecca Ferris, like many people in Scranton, knew actor/playwright Jason Miller years before his untimely death in 2001. What puzzled her, though, was why the actor surrendered his virtually overnight national success for regional theatre and the quiet life of his hometown. It’s a question that many have asked over the years, so Ferris decided […]
