KCLA-FM 99.3 in Los Angeles Saturdays at 8 PM . . . "Alchemist Playground"

Crispin Freeman was interviewed by Tony Blass and Eric G. during his recent appearance on "Alchemist's Playground," which airs Saturday nights in Los Angeles on KCLA-FM 99.3. Crispin McDougal Freeman is a prolific American voice actor best known for his roles as Alucard in Hellsing and the OVA Hellsing Ultimate and as Touga Kiryuu from Revolutionary Girl Utena. He also played the voice of Kouichi Kimura in Digimon: Digital Monsters, Prince Turnip in Hayao Miyazaki's movie adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, and Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers.

Crispin Freeman was the oldest of three children, having a younger brother, Clark, and a younger sister, Cassidy. All of which attended the Latin School of Chicago, where he graduated in 1990 in a class of 60. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, majoring in Theater and minoring in Computer Science. Afterward, he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in Acting, and performed on Broadway (New York City), the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge), the Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, and the Williamstown Theator Festival.

As a child, Freeman was greatly influenced by anime shows such as Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets (Gatchaman). Casey Kasem voiced the role of his favorite character, Mark of Battle of the Planets, a.k.a., Ken the Eagle in Gatchaman. He actually wanted to change his name to Mark at one point. Later, he discovered Voltron, Star Blazers, and Robotech, being quoted in the January 1999 issue of America Interview saying, "That show really blew me away."

Freeman initially got involved in the anime voice-over industry when a friend of his landed a role in Peacock King. Knowing Freeman was a big anime fan, the friend suggested he call up Central Park Media and apply for a job doing english dubs. At first he didn't see why, being a fan of subtitles, rather than the english counter-parts. It wasn't until he remembered all of the anime shows he watched as a child did he realize that most people are introduced to anime through the english dubbed versions.

In 1995, Freeman landed the role of Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers. He was the fourth and final voice actor to get the job, the previous three sounding too monotone and timid for the gloomy, angst ridden character.
Since then, Freeman has had various roles throughout his career. The most recent being Haji and Van Argeno in Blood+, which airs Saturday, on Adult Swim at 12:30am, e.t.

Crispin Freeman was interviewed by Tony Blass and Eric G. during his recent appearance on "Alchemist's Playground," which airs Saturday nights in Los Angeles on KCLA-FM 99.3. Crispin McDougal Freeman is a prolific American voice actor best known for his roles as Alucard in Hellsing and the OVA Hellsing Ultimate and as Touga Kiryuu from Revolutionary Girl Utena. He also played the voice of Kouichi Kimura in Digimon: Digital Monsters, Prince Turnip in Hayao Miyazaki's movie adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, and Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers.

Crispin Freeman was the oldest of three children, having a younger brother, Clark, and a younger sister, Cassidy. All of which attended the Latin School of Chicago, where he graduated in 1990 in a class of 60. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, majoring in Theater and minoring in Computer Science. Afterward, he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in Acting, and performed on Broadway (New York City), the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge), the Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, and the Williamstown Theator Festival.

As a child, Freeman was greatly influenced by anime shows such as Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets (Gatchaman). Casey Kasem voiced the role of his favorite character, Mark of Battle of the Planets, a.k.a., Ken the Eagle in Gatchaman. He actually wanted to change his name to Mark at one point. Later, he discovered Voltron, Star Blazers, and Robotech, being quoted in the January 1999 issue of America Interview saying, "That show really blew me away."

Freeman initially got involved in the anime voice-over industry when a friend of his landed a role in Peacock King. Knowing Freeman was a big anime fan, the friend suggested he call up Central Park Media and apply for a job doing english dubs. At first he didn't see why, being a fan of subtitles, rather than the english counter-parts. It wasn't until he remembered all of the anime shows he watched as a child did he realize that most people are introduced to anime through the english dubbed versions.

In 1995, Freeman landed the role of Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers. He was the fourth and final voice actor to get the job, the previous three sounding too monotone and timid for the gloomy, angst ridden character.
Since then, Freeman has had various roles throughout his career. The most recent being Haji and Van Argeno in Blood+, which airs Saturday, on Adult Swim at 12:30am, e.t.

Crispin Freeman was interviewed by Tony Blass and Eric G. during his recent appearance on "Alchemist's Playground," which airs Saturday nights in Los Angeles on KCLA-FM 99.3. Crispin McDougal Freeman is a prolific American voice actor best known for his roles as Alucard in Hellsing and the OVA Hellsing Ultimate and as Touga Kiryuu from Revolutionary Girl Utena. He also played the voice of Kouichi Kimura in Digimon: Digital Monsters, Prince Turnip in Hayao Miyazaki's movie adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, and Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers.

Crispin Freeman was the oldest of three children, having a younger brother, Clark, and a younger sister, Cassidy. All of which attended the Latin School of Chicago, where he graduated in 1990 in a class of 60. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, majoring in Theater and minoring in Computer Science. Afterward, he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in Acting, and performed on Broadway (New York City), the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge), the Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles), Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, and the Williamstown Theator Festival.

As a child, Freeman was greatly influenced by anime shows such as Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets (Gatchaman). Casey Kasem voiced the role of his favorite character, Mark of Battle of the Planets, a.k.a., Ken the Eagle in Gatchaman. He actually wanted to change his name to Mark at one point. Later, he discovered Voltron, Star Blazers, and Robotech, being quoted in the January 1999 issue of America Interview saying, "That show really blew me away."

Freeman initially got involved in the anime voice-over industry when a friend of his landed a role in Peacock King. Knowing Freeman was a big anime fan, the friend suggested he call up Central Park Media and apply for a job doing english dubs. At first he didn't see why, being a fan of subtitles, rather than the english counter-parts. It wasn't until he remembered all of the anime shows he watched as a child did he realize that most people are introduced to anime through the english dubbed versions.

In 1995, Freeman landed the role of Zelgadis Greywords in Slayers. He was the fourth and final voice actor to get the job, the previous three sounding too monotone and timid for the gloomy, angst ridden character.
Since then, Freeman has had various roles throughout his career. The most recent being Haji and Van Argeno in Blood+, which airs Saturday, on Adult Swim at 12:30am, e.t.

Dani Carr visited the playground on September 15, 2007 and performed for the first time ever on American soil. Hear this amazing performance and the first American interview with a man who is destined to be a big star in the very near future. Dani is an emerging singer songwriter based in Sydney, Australia. Drawing inspiration from musicians such as Jason Mraz and John Mayer, Dani generates unique acoustic pop rock tunes that are highly addictive. Having dedicated the last 12 months to refining his song writing and guitar skills, Dani’s music have been well received by people all around the globe. He is currently in discussions with a number of record labels that are interested in signing this talented and exciting artist. Furthermore, Dani has been focused on performing live at a number of venues around Sydney including the Steyne Hotel at Manly, The Old Manly Boatshed, The Harbour View Hotel, The Commercial Hotel and the Monkey Bar at Balmain. He has also performed a number of more intimate sessions at the Artichoke Gallery Cafes in Cremorne and Manly, NSW. Dani has also been engaged by a number of large Australia firms to perform at corporate functions at the Sydney Harbour Aquarium and at The Chinese Gardens, Sydney. Finally, Dani has plans to tour the United States in September this year. Dani is currently securing bookings for performances in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. He has also recently released his debut EP, Somewhere, Sometime.

Tony Blass, Sadie Blass and Nick Letham interview Mary Elizabeth McGlynn. In a lively and heartfelt discussion, McGlynn talks about her experiences as an onscreen actress (Walker, Texas Ranger, Star Trek Voyager, Quantum Leap, Murder, She Wrote) and voice actress (Ghost in the Shell, Wolf's Rain, Digimon, Witch Hunter Robin, Princess Mononoke)
and her decision to go full time behind the scenes, directing and writing numerous anime series. She talks at length about her experiences directing Naruto and its similarity to, among other things, Harry Potter.

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn is an experienced American voice actress, ADR director, writer and singer best known for her extensive English-language dubbing of various anime, and her singing in Silent Hill 3, Silent Hill 4: The Room, and Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME. She provided vocals for some music tracks in the movie adaptation of Silent Hill.

Her directing credits include Naruto, "Kaubôi bibappu" (aka Cowboy Bebop), Korobotto adobencha (aka Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri), Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, Castlevania and "Jikû tantei Genshi-kun" (aka Flint: The Time Detective, aka Time Detective Genshi

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn has also been credited as Melissa Williamson and Anna Top.

Thank you to Chase Wang of BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions.

Tony Blass interviews the US voice cast for the anime series of Kyo Kara Maoh! (今日からマ王!, Kyō Kara Maō!?) is a Japanese series of light novels written by Tomo Takabayashi, which have been adapted into an anime series released domestically by Geneon USA, a manga and a series of audio dramas. The anime series was produced by Studio Deen and aired across Japan on NHK and the anime television network, Animax, who also aired the series across its respective networks worldwide, including Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and other regions. The series has been licensed for North American distribution by Geneon under the name Kyo Kara Maoh! - Our King From Now On! The story follows the adventures of 15-year old Yuri Shibuya as he discovers his future in a world where demons and humans are fighting against one another.

Though not explicitly shōnen-ai (boys love), the series is often mistaken for such because of its overtones (such as an early plot point that ends with two male characters becoming engaged), and calm acceptance of homosexuality in the setting, as well as because the cast is predominantly made up of good-looking young men.

This topic and others are explored in this fun and in-depth group interview with many of the cast members, including Yuri Lowenthal (voice of Yuri Shibuya), Mona Marshall (Wolfram, also known for her work as the voice of Kyle's mom on "South Park"), Doug Erholtz (Conrad), Jackson Daniels, (Gwendal), and Jack Lingo (Gunter). Also interviewed are director Steve Kramer and producer Yurika Araki-Dennis.

Thank you to Melissa Romley at Bender/Helper Impact for coordinating this interview; thanks also to Chase Wang of BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions and Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.

Tony Blass interviews the US voice cast for the anime series "Hellsing Ultimate" Hellsing Ultimate (ヘルシング, Herushingu) a Japanese OVA anime series based on the internationally popular Hellsing manga series by Kouta Hirano.

The OVA series is being produced by animation studio Satelight and Geneon. The first episode of the Hellsing OVA was released on DVD in Japan on February 10, 2006. The episode is 50 minutes long. The first episode premiered in the U.S. at Anime Expo 2006 on July 2 and was released on DVD December 5, 2006, and the second episode was released on June 12, 2007. Hellsing OVA II was released in Japan August 25th, 2006. OVA III was released April 4, 2007, and will be released in the U.S. October 16, 2007.The Japanese release date for OVA IV is October 5, 2007.

For the American release, Geneon has assembled the original cast from the English dub of the television series, including Crispin Freeman (Alucard), K.T. Gray (Seras), Ralph Lister (Walter), Victoria Harwood (Sir Integra) and Steven Brand (Paladin Alexander Anderson).

Featuring Ralph Lister, as well as Josh Phillips and Patrick Seitz who portray the Valentine brothers.

Thank you to Melissa Romley at Bender/Helper Impact for coordinating this interview; thanks also to Chase Wang of BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions and Geneon Entertainment (USA) Inc.

Interview with Vic Mignogna – an accomplished voice actor, whose perhaps most famous character, Edward Elric in "Fullmetal Alchemist" provides the quote that starts every show: “The most depraved kind of Alchemy there is!” Vic is also a singer/songwriter who appeared on Star Search singing a song called "Worth Waiting For." He has released the albums “If These Walls Could Talk,” “Selah” and “Metafiction.”

Vic Mignogna is a celebrity among fans of English anime dubs; his roles as characters such as Dark Mousy, Gawl, Edward Elric, and the evil Broly from the 3 Dragon Ball Z movies, along with his crazy interaction with his fans, have generated a large fanbase. He is a guest at many anime conventions across the United States and Canada. He now has an official fanclub, "Risembool Rangers" (named after Edward Elric's hometown in Fullmetal Alchemist), with members in almost every state and across the world, including fellow voice actors Caitlin Glass and Scott McNeil. Vic's appreciation for his fans led to the creation of the short film Fullmetal Fantasy.

There is also a friendly rivalry between the Rangers and Travis Willingham's fan club, the Miniskirt Army. When both actors are at a convention together, there is usually a game of dodgeball between the two fan clubs. One famous clash at a Tennessee event is immortalized in a song played on and discussed during the show.

Caleb Kane visited the Alchemist's Playground on February 17, 2007. Mr. Kane is a singer, actor, and writer. He is best known as the singing voice of Aladdin in Disney's 1992 animated feature. That same year, he recorded a duet with Lea Salonga--"We Could Be In Love"--which was later released as a single. In 1993, he played Arpad Laszlo in the Broadway revival of She Loves Me. He also played Tucker Wells in the season three episode "The Prom" of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and provided Jonathan Levinson's singing voice in the episode "Superstar".

On September 11, 2005, Kane was invited to a ceremony at Hong Kong Disneyland, the night before the theme park's opening. He performed the song "A Whole New World" from Aladdin with Cantopop star Joey Yung.

As Caleb Kane, he first came out with his song "This Close", which was played on the movie "Devil's Pond". He now has a website and has released a number of new songs. His last single, "Go Mad", was released in March 2006 on Reprise Records.

While at NYU, in the early 1990's, Brad was the frontman in a band called The Misconceptions.

He is married to actress Sarah Thompson.

 

Part 2 of the Arlan Feiles interview. Thanks to Kathy Falcey at www.tunes2ya.com for coordinating this interview.

Arlan visited the Alchemist's Playground on March 24, 2007.

Arlan Feiles (pronounced fie-lus) began his career in Los Angeles as a struggling actor (including appearances on Night Court and in the film Say Anything... (1989). Arlan was nominated for Top Americana Artist in The 2006 Asbury Music Awards. 2004 released of debut solo album. "Razing a Nation (Ballad of the Lone Ranger)" on notpop records using a homemade studio, an acoustic guitar, harmonica and piano. The anti war rallying cry; "Sign Up" was featured on Neil Young's countdown.

Previously worked with some of the giants of the industry. He has been produced and mentored by legendary Producer Tom Dowd. Mr. Feiles has recorded and collaborated with many great artists including Americana greats Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko of the The Band, and rocker Dave Grohl. He has shared stages with the late Warren Zevon and Joan Baez, and modern artists like Guided by Voices, Shannon McNally, and Dave Matthews. Arlan has seen his music placed in the Edward Burns film, "Sidewalks of New York" and has been touring the country in support of "Razing a Nation."

He went to Los Angeles High school for the Arts and then from there Berklee and majored in, Music...his path lead him to Miami in 1990, first in as Arlan Feiles and Company – then in the band Natural Causes.

"If songwriters were bad weather, Hurricane Arlan would be a category 5...he'll blow you away" - GREG BAKER - The Miami Herald

He then ventured over to Europe and has a nice fanbase along with musical peers/friends who constantly are asking for him to return and he will be doing just that in the springtime and then again hopefully in the fall.

He is respected and embraced in Asbury Park HE WILL TELL YOU HE APPEARED AT ALMOST EVERY OPEN MIKE GIG THERE WAS AND he worked hard and continues to show up at every gig and plays often....

In the 90s, Natural Causes enjoyed a sponsorship from a major beer brewer that brought them some cash, posters, and promotional materials. A national victory in Tanqueray Rocks talent contest added $10,000 to their coffers, and the Causes are one of the most highly paid and consistently employed bands in Miami.

"Alchemist's Playground" with hosts Eric G. and Tony Blass broadcasts live every Saturday night at 9 PM PST from the American Radio Network studios on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood on KCLA-FM 99.3 in Los Angeles or streaming on the Internet at www.kclafm.com, playing everything from Hip Hop to Electronica to Jazz featuring the best artists in rock, pop, lounge and dance. Visit us on www.myspace.com/alchemistplayground.

Special thanks to Kathy Falcey at www.tunes2ya.com for coordinating this interview.

Lara Parker is interviewed on the radio show "Alchemist's Playground", found online at www.myspace.com/alchemistplayground.

Ms. Parker is perhaps best known as Angelique from Dark Shadows and author of two recent fiction books about Dark Shadows - "Angelque's Descent" and "The Salem Branch" – Ms. Parker has starred in numerous TV series (One Life To Live, Washington Behind Closed Doors), feature films (Race with the Devil and Save the Tiger)

Lara Parker was born Mary Lamar Rickey in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Memphis. She attended Central High School in Memphis and won a scholarship to Vassar College, where she began a major in Philosophy, which she completed at Southwestern at Memphis, now called Rhodes College, receiving her BA. She attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and completed all course work on a Masters in Speech and Drama. The summer Lara was to write her thesis, she acted at the Millbrook Playhouse in Loch Haven, Pennsylvania, where she did five leading roles in six weeks. Rather than return to Iowa, she decided to try her luck in New York City, and, the second week she was there, she was cast as Angelique the witch in the daytime horror serial "Dark Shadows" (1966), a job she held for five years, culminating in the film, Night of Dark Shadows (1971). While she was in New York, she appeared in a Broadway play, "Woman is My Idea", and two off-Broadway Plays: "Lulu" and "A Gun Play". Lara moved to Los Angeles in 1972 and began working in film and nighttime television, performing many guest roles and occasionally returning to daytime television. After acting, she has been a high school teacher, has written several screenplays and has completed her first novel (see book section below). As of 1999, she lives in California with her husband, Jimmy Hawkins, and daughter.

In 2005, Featured on the Audio Commentary of the DVD version of the cult classic Race with the Devil (1975).

In May, 2006), Lara reprised her "Dark Shadows" (1966) role of "Angelique" in four new CD Dark Shadows audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions.

Dark Shadows is a Gothic television soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis, who tells of a dream he had in which a girl takes a long train ride to visit a large mansion. It was considered daring (and unprecedented in daytime television) when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when, a year into its run, vampire Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, appeared. In addition to vampires, Dark Shadows featured werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, both into the past and into the future, and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles and, as actors came and went, some characters were played by several actors.

Dark Shadows has the distinction of being the only long-running soap to have every one of its 1225 episodes released for home video, first on VHS and currently in progress on DVD. Dark Shadows was distinguished by its vividly melodramatic performances, atmospheric interiors, memorable story lines and an unusually adventurous music score. Now regarded as somewhat of a camp classic, it continues to enjoy intense cult status among its followers – inspiring annual conventions for nearly a quarter of a century.

Director Tim Burton and pop icon Madonna, as well as authors Anne Rice and Steven King are all on record as fans of the series. As a child Johnny Depp was so obsessed with Barnabas Collins that he wanted to be him. And now he has optioned the rights from Dan Curtis Productions to produce a new feature (and hopefully a series) with a tentative rel;ease date of 2010.

"Songs from the Alchemist's Playground" with hosts Eric G. and Tony Blass broadcasts live every Saturday night at 9 PM PST from the American Radio Network