King Kong

***King Kong: The Eighth Wonder Of The World*** was the first show of the 2019 season and the third show of the 2021 season. From the novel by Delos W. Lovelace and the story from Merian C. Cooper. Adapted to the stage and directed by Brian Newell. The show ran from February 8th - March 17th, 2019, August 13th – September 11th 2021, August 12th – September 3rd 2022 and July 14th – August 6th 2023.

## Synopsis

An original Maverick Theater stage adaptation of the 1933 film by Merian C. Cooper. The play is based on the Delos W. Lovelace novel, which is the same storyline and dialogue from the original film with only minor changes and additions. The overall show will have a lighthearted tongue-in-cheek feel but all the characters will be played honest and as true to the original; even the man in the monkey suit.

The Maverick Theater’s special effects team known as “Maverick Light & Magic” will take on the beauty and the beast adventure using a live compositing\* process of multiple video sources. Similar to the process Willis O’Brien used to create the original King Kong. Actors will be interacting with live rear screen projections to create the illusion of Kong.

## 2019 Cast

* Paul Zelhart as Carl Denham.
* Kalinda Gray as Ann Darrow.
* Jake Kilroy as Jack Driscoll.
* Glenn Freeze as Capt. Englehorn.
* Scotty Keister as Weston/Native King.
* Donny Van Horn as Jimmy/Mabel.
* John Castro as Witch Doctor.
* Joe Sanders as Lumpy.

## 2021 Cast

* Paul Zelhart as Carl Denham.
* Kalinda Gray as Ann Darrow.
* Jeff Lowe & Jason Evans as Jack Driscoll.
* Glenn Freeze as Capt. Englehorn.
* Scotty Keister as Weston/Native King.
* Donny Van Horn as Jimmy/Mabel.
* John Castro as Witch Doctor.
* Joe Sanders as Lumpy.
* Rob Downs as Merchant/8th Wonder.

## 2022 Cast

* Paul Zelhart as Carl Denham.
* Kalinda Gray as Ann Darrow.
* Jeff Lowe as Jack Driscoll.
* Glenn Freeze as Capt. Englehorn.
* Scotty Keister as Weston/Native King.
* Donny Van Horn as Jimmy/Mabel.
* Justyn Gonzales, Jared Lindsay and John Castro as Witch Doctor.
* Joe Sanders as Lumpy.
* Miles Taber as Merchant/8th Wonder.

## 2023 Cast

* Mark Coyan as Carl Denham.
* Kalinda Gray as Ann Darrow.
* Jeff Lowe as Jack Driscoll.
* Glenn Freeze as Capt. Englehorn and Sergeant.
* Scott Keister as Weston/Native King.
* Donny Van Horn as Jimmy/Mabel.
* Joe Sanders as Lumpy.
* John Castro as Witch Doctor.
* Rob Downs as Merchant/8th Wonder.

## 2019 Production

* Producer & Director: Brian Newell.
* Lighting, Sound, Video and Scenic Design: Brian Newell.
* Maverick Technical Director: James Book.
* Maverick Technical Supervisor: Jim Book.
* Costume Design: Celestina Hudson.
* Costume Assistants: Cassidy Santos and Andrea Birkholm.
* Scenic Artist/Art Director: Alex Conway.
* Stage Crew Lead: Alexandra Wesevich.
* Additional Video Design: Gavin Carlton.
* Production Crew: Jim Book, James Book, Chris Jones, Alex Conway, Erik Furuheim, Joe Sanders, Heidi Newell, John Castro, Nika Ramos, and Donny Van Horn.
* Box Office/Theater Manager: Lauren Shoemaker.

## 2021 Production

* Producer & Director: Brian Newell.
* Lighting, Sound, Video and Production Design: Brian Newell.
* Technical Director & Prop Master: Jim Book.
* Costume Design: Celestina Hudson.
* Art Director/Scenic Artist/Kong Head Sculptor: Alex Conway.
* Stage Crew Lead: Alexandra Wesevich.
* Maverick Light & Magic Crew: Jon Gaw & Pat Mannion.
* Additional Video Design: Gavin Carlton.
* Production Crew: David Tehero, Joe & Kaleb Sanders, Chris Jones, Justyn Gonzalez, John Castro, Chase Thayer, and Donny Van Horn.
* Box Office/Theater Manager: Lauren Shoemaker.

## 2022 Production

* Producer & Director: Brian Newell.
* Lighting, Sound, Video and Production Design: Brian Newell.
* Technical Director: Jon Gaw.
* Costume Design: Celestina Hudson.
* Art Director/Scenic Artist/Kong Head Sculptor: Alex Conway.
* Cabaret Stage Crew Lead: Alexandra Wesevich.
* Cabaret Stage Crew: Nathan Swiderski
* Maverick Light & Magic: Jon Gaw, Jon Rudder and Pat Mannion.
* Additional Video Design: Gavin Carlton.
* Production Crew: Joe & Kairi Sanders, Chase Thayer, Justyn Gonzalez, Nathan Swiderski and Jackson Newell.
* Box Office/Theater Manager: Lauren Shoemaker.

## 2023 Production

* Written, Produced & Directed: Brian Newell.
* Lighting, Sound, Video and Production Design: Brian Newell.
* Technical Director: Jon Gaw.
* Costume Design: Celestina Hudson.
* Art Director/Scenic Artist/Kong Head Sculptor: Alex Conway.
* Cabaret Stage Crew Lead: Alexandra Wesevich and Kairi Sanders.
* Maverick Light & Magic: Jon Gaw (Live Sound Effects and Pat Mannion (Camera Operator).
* Additional Video Design: Gavin Carlton.
* Load-in Crew: Rick Lawhorn, Chase Thayer, Andrew Hong, Nathan & Ryan Swiderski and Jackson Newell.
* Box Office Manager: Lauren Shoemaker.

## Gallery

2019 PosterPaul Zelhart (left) and Kalinda Gray (right)
## Accolades

 Outstanding Direction of a Play
 Outstanding Sound Design
 Notable Outstanding Achievement

## References

1. ↑ Performed 8/29, 9/3, and 9/4.
2. ↑ performed 8/12/22 and 8/20/22

## External links (reviews)

LA TIMES **by Eric Marchese.** *New 'King Kong' crashes into the local theater scene.*

OC WEEKLY by Joel Beers. *King Kong takes over Fullerton's Maverick Theater.*

HALLOWEEN EVERY NIGHT  by Shawn Price. *King Kong Konquers in Klever Kavalcade of Kicks and Kitsch﻿.*