AWARD-WINNING FRANKENSTEIN VIDEO CHOSEN

FOR BAY AREA CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

May 11, 1998, San Francisco, California - A children’s theatre version of Frankenstein produced by San Francisco-based GLOBALSTAGE PRODUCTIONS, INC. was selected for this year’s Pacific Film Archive "Kids’ Flix" program. The seventh annual program located in Berkeley screens two of the highest quality children’s films from around the world each month.

"I really liked the idea of filming a theatrical production," said Joanne Parsont, Curator of Youth Programs for the Pacific Film Archive. "Frankenstein is a great way for kids to see a classic story on film, and it’s something a little different that gives a nice mix of the arts and film. The camera work is tremendous," she commented.

Awarded a Bronze Apple by the National Educational Media Network’s 1998 Apple Awards Film and Video Competition, Frankenstein was filmed by the BBC and released on video last December. The live performance by Stage One: The Louisville Children’s Theatre is an original adaptation by Seattle playwright Nick DiMartino, who recounts Mary Shelley’s timeless tale through the eyes of the play’s heroine.

In the Globalstage video, public radio personality Dr. Elizabeth McNamer and her young co-host Preston Blakeley introduce the play by discussing the science fiction and ethical aspects of Shelley’s story. "The effort to bring out issues related to life and reality in Frankenstein, like a scientist’s responsibility for his creation, as Elizabeth and Preston examine, is very valuable," said Parsont.

Globalstage offers an annual subscription series of the world’s best family theater in English on home video. In addition to Frankenstein, Globalstage released a musical version of Pinocchio by the same theatre. Upcoming releases include Cyrano and Far from the Madding Crowd, both European productions.

The Frankenstein screening will take place on Sunday, June 7, 1998, 3:00 p.m., at the Pacific Film Archive on the University of California, Berkeley campus, 2625 Durant Avenue. For more information about the program or to order Globalstage videos, please contact Toni Tabora at Globalstage, 1-888-32-GLOBE, visit the Globalstage website, www.globalstage.net, or email globalstge@aol.com.