Susan Sukman-McCray to Attend The High Chaparral Reunion in March 2014

Aug. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- The High Chaparral Reunion has announced that Susan Sukman-McCray will be attending the March 2014 High Chaparral Reunion in Tucson.  Penny McQueen, project manager for the event, confirmed Mrs. Sukman-McCray will be on hand to autograph her book, Harry’s Piano, when the gathering meets March 20 to March 23 at the Casino del Sol Resort.

“Harry’s Piano is an illustrated children’s book that adults will enjoy,” McQueen said.  “It describes the early life of Susan’s father, Oscar-award winning composer Harry Sukman, who also wrote the music for The High Chaparral.”  In fact, McQueen said Harry’s Piano is accompanied by a free CD that includes “The High Chaparral Suite,” a compilation of Sukman’s distinctive and distinguished music for which he received an Emmy nomination.

“’The High Chaparral Suite’ is 15-plus minutes of memories,” said one High Chaparral fan.  “The full orchestra brilliantly plays music that vividly calls to mind a horse-mounted Uncle Buck on his way to Tucson for a glass of Red-eye whiskey, Manolito flirting with every señorita , and a hot desert full of saguaro cactus and arroyos,” she said. 

“It incorporates Blue-Boy’s wistful theme of youth, and violins that entice you through the double-lion entrance to Hacienda Montoya and all the antics of Don Sebastian,” she continues.  “The dignity and sophistication of Victoria’s Theme as you imagine her embracing Big John…The music makes you relive the fiestas, the fights, the cattle drives with the Bunkhouse Boys, and all the laughter and love, as well.”  

Music is not Sukman-McCray’s only tie to the western series that aired from 1967 to 1971.  According to McQueen, Susan is the wife of Kent McCray, the show’s production manager.  “Additionally, Susan was involved in casting on this and other television shows,” McQueen said.  “She was casting director for Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Mannix, The Odd Couple, Little House on the Prairie, Father Murphy, Highway to Heaven and many other productions.”

The High Chaparral Reunion is a not-for-profit group that organizes gatherings of the show’s cast and crew along with fans from all over the world.  The original show starred Leif Erickson as John Cannon, Cameron Mitchell as Buck Cannon, Henry Darrow as Manolito Montoya, Rudy Ramos as Wind, Linda Cristal as Victoria Cannon and Mark Slade as Blue Cannon.  The Bunkhouse Boys included Don Collier as Sam Butler, Bob Hoy as Joe Butler, Rodolfo Acosta as Vaquero, Roberto Contreras as Pedro, Ted Markland as Reno and Jerry Summers as Ira Bean. 

The show is currently being re-broadcast on the INSP channel, which is re-igniting interest with original fans as well as gaining a new generation of fans for the historic show.   “The High Chaparral promoted Latino and other minority actors during the height of the Civil Rights movement,” McQueen said, “a time when many acting opportunities weren’t open to them.”  

McQueen said series actors Don Collier and Rudy Ramos will also be appearing at the March 2014 event along with production manager Kent McCray and other guests with ties to landmark work in Western TV shows and movies. 

Those interested can find more information on how to sign up at www.thehighchaparralreunion.com, or they can join in the group discussion Facebook at www.facebook.com/highchaparralreunion.

 

For more information contact:

Penny McQueen

info@thehighchaparralreunion.com

812-214-5044

www.thehighchaparralreunion.com

www.facebook.com/highchaparralreunion