Show Biz Blog

(July 30, 2013, Tucson, AZ)  Members of The High Chaparral television series and long-time fans will join together once again at their annual reunion next year.  Reunion spokeswoman Penny McQueen announced the gathering will take place March 20 to March 23, 2014 at the Casino del Sol Resort in Tucson, Ariz.

“It’s about getting together to share memories of this history-making television show and how it made an impact not only on Hollywood, but also on the individual lives of all those involved,” McQueen said.  “Our fan base is world-wide, and it’s amazing to hear from them how much the show meant when they were growing up,” she added.

Already confirmed to appear at the 2014 reunion are Don Collier, who played ranch foreman Sam Butler, Rudy Ramos who played Wind in the final season, and Kent McCray, production manager, along with his wife Susan, who was involved in casting.

“We have some very special activities in the works for our 2014 meeting,” said McQueen, who is one of the main function organizers.  “Rudy Ramos will premier his one man play, Geronimo, Life on the Reservation, by Janelle Meraz-Hooper, and Kent McCray will do a special presentation on the mechanics of producing a High Chaparral script,” she said.  “Susan McCray will hold a Casting Call where a few lucky fans will read for a part and then participate in a scene reading with the High Chaparral stars,” she added.  The reunion dates coincide with Old Tucson Studios’ Wild West Days, so High Chaparral fans will also be able to visit the actual site where the show was filmed.

The High Chaparral aired on NBC television from Sept. 10, 1967 to Mar. 13, 1971.  In addition to Collier and Ramos, it starred Leif Erickson as Big John Cannon, Cameron Mitchell as Buck Cannon, Mark Slade as Blue Boy, Henry Darrow as Manolito Montoya, and Linda Cristal as Victoria.  Other cast members included Bob Hoy as Joe Butler, Rudólfo Acosta as Vaquero, Roberto Contreras as Pedro, Ted Markham as Reno and Jerry Summers as Ira Bean.  Susan McCray’s father, Oscar-winning composer Harry Sükman, orchestrated the show’s music.  The High Chaparral is historic because it promoted Latino and other minority actors during the height of the Civil Rights movement, a time when many acting opportunities weren’t open to them.  The show is currently being shown in syndication on the INSP channel.

Next year’s function will be the 11^th reunion for the group.  “The High Chaparral Reunion has grown tremendously since the beginning in 2003,” McQueen said, “and I'm thrilled that we have family members of the cast and crew planning to attend in 2014.  The family members visited the HC set, and they're looking forward to making contact with the fans and with old friends." 

McQueen also said fans will be able to meet, talk and pose with the guest celebrities, and the guests will hold panels to give fans a chance to ask questions about the show behind-the-scenes.  There will also be a special Sponsor Banquet as well as other group events.

“We kept Tucson as the reunion site,” said McQueen, “because that is where the show’s exteriors were mostly shot.  The guests love the location at Casino del Sol Resort, which was a wonderful host to us last year.  We’re looking forward to another gathering to share and laugh and learn about all these characters we’ve come to love over the last 47 years,” she said.   

Those interested can find more information on how to sign up at The High Chaparral Reunion, or they can join in the group discussion on Facebook.

For more information contact:

Penny McQueen

info@thehighchaparralreunion.com

812-214-5044