ELM STREET Benefit Raises 14K For Suicide Prevention

ROBERT ENGLUND & THE DREAM WARRIORS ROCK THE WHISKY A GO-GO
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT RAISES $14K FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION CHARITY

On Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 a sold-out audience of dedicated NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET fans showed up for an exclusive staged reading of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS at the WHISKY A GO-GO – the celebrated Sunset Strip nightclub that can now add FREDDY KRUEGER to its roster of superstars who have performed there.

With the blessing of NEW LINE CINEMA, producers and stars HEATHER LANGENKAMP and IRA HEIDEN obtained the one-time right to read the original NIGHTMARE 3 screenplay written by horror legends WES CRAVEN, BRUCE WAGNER, CHUCK RUSELL and FRANK DARABONT.

Billed as ROBERT ENGLUND & THE DREAM WARRIORS: CELEBRATING A NIGHTMARE, the event was organized as a benefit for DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping teens and transforming lives since 1942. The date of the show took on special meaning as it marked the beginning of National Suicide Prevention Week in the United States. Langenkamp remarked: “Wes Craven’s brilliant story puts a spotlight on the plight of kids in the suicide ward of a mental hospital.

Their pain and suffering throughout the screenplay speaks to the pain of many kids in our society. Their battle against Freddy is sadly similar to the battle kids with mental illness deal with every day, as they try to cope with the bogeymen in their lives.” Besides Langenkamp and Heiden taking to the stage to reprise their respective roles of Nancy Thompson and Will “the Wizard Master,” the cast boasted a number of returning players including RODNEY EASTMAN (Joey), BRADLEY GREGG (Phillip), PENELOPE SUDROW (Jennifer), BROOKE BUNDY (Mrs. Parker) – and, of course, ROBERT ENGLUND as the iconic “Man of Your Dreams,” Freddy Krueger.

The stage directions were narrated by co-writer Russell, who also directed the original film. Filling out the ensemble were other members of the 35-year ELM STREET film and television franchise: AMANDA WYSS (the first NIGHTMARE), TUESDAY KNIGHT and BROOKE THEISS (NIGHTMARE 4), MARSHALL BELL (NIGHTMARE 2), BYRON THAMES (FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES), as well as “friends” of the series – STEPHEN CAFFREY, KEESHAN GILES, BROOKLYN JONES, and BILL ALLEN.

The ghosts of Freddy’s past victims were played by AUBREY GENESSE and ETHAN HEIDEN, both children of cast members – making this a true multi-generational event worthy of continuing the ELM STREET legacy. “Being in the same room with Robert Englund, the Dream Warriors, and all the other people who made NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET successful was so gratifying,” stated Langenkamp of the reading. “All of us have a deep love for this franchise and it showed.” Heiden added: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime event that I was beyond grateful to be a part of… to get to read the script live with Robert, Chuck, Heather and the rest of these actors was literally a ‘dream come true.’ What a fantastic way to raise money for Didi Hirsch Mental Services.”

In addition to donating a major portion of the ticket sales, the organizers held a silent auction that included exclusive items donated by the cast and key supporters (including a guitar signed by Whisky A Go-Go legend ROBBY KRIEGER) to raise money for the charity.

About the overall fundraising, producer MATT. MURRAY stated: “While we’re still tallying our receipts, we anticipate that the overall donation to Didi Hirsch will be upwards of fourteen thousand dollars. We encourage all of our friends, family, and fans to continue to support this great cause and to help save the lives of those in need.” ROBERT ENGLUND & THE DREAM WARRIORS was made possible through the fiscal sponsorship of Aphilibism Incorporated, a 501(C)(3) dedicated to developing original theatrical work in a variety of media and sponsoring theater events for other charitable organizations.