This month marks 40 years since
The Real Ghostbusters first premiered, and as part of the anniversary festivities, a special charity event has been announced for Los Angeles.
Highlights include a live script reading featuring Maurice LaMarche, the voice of Egon Spengler; Laura Summer, the original voice of Janine Melnitz; and Jim Cummings, whose extensive work across the animated Ghostbusters universe includes lending his vocals to the Extreme Ghostbusters theme song. The reading will be cast and produced by Patrick Cotnoir of The George Lucas Talk Show and Hey, That’s Me! A Commentary Podcast.
Cummings will also take the stage alongside
The Flux Capacitors for a live musical performance featuring a rendition of the iconic theme song from
The Real Ghostbusters. The event will also include a special screening, additional guests, exclusive surprises, and more, with details yet to be revealed.
Held in the spirit of
Ghostbusters Give Back, the event will support
Starlight Children’s Foundation, continuing the franchise and fandom’s commitment to charitable causes while helping provide comfort, play, and happiness to hospitalized children and their families.
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| Columbia Pictures/Ghost Corps |
The Real Ghostbusters premiered on September 13, 1986, introducing an entire generation to animated versions of Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, Winston Zeddemore, Janine Melnitz, and, of course, Slimer. The series aired through 1991, spawning an enormously popular Kenner toyline, comics, video games, and a lasting legacy that continues to influence the franchise today.
With more guests and surprises promised, stay tuned to Ghostbusters News for further details, along with coverage of the other
Real Ghostbusters 40th anniversary celebrations still to come.
The Real Ghostbusters Cast Announced for 40th Anniversary Celebration
Who ya gonna call for The Real Ghostbusters’ 40th anniversary? With this Saturday’s celebration fast approaching, we now know who’ll be lending their voices to Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston for a live reading of “The Boogieman Cometh.”
In yesterday’s feature, we highlighted the announcement that Derek Mears will voice the episode’s titular terror. However, another detail worth more attention was the confirmation of the four Ghostbusters, with an original series favorite joined by three guests answering the call.
While Maurice LaMarche and Phil LaMarr were already announced as Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore, respectively, we now know who’ll join them as Peter and Ray.
Rob Schrab will take on Peter Venkman, bringing a résumé that includes Community, Creepshow, and Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return. He’s also the creator of Scud: The Disposable Assassin and co-wrote Monster House, which was directed by Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire filmmaker Gil Kenan.
Then there’s Jonah Ray, who, appropriately enough, will voice the heart of the Ghostbusters, Ray Stantz. Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 will recognize the comedian as host Jonah Heston, while his other credits include Hidden America with Jonah Ray and co-hosting The Nerdist Podcast.
As for LaMarr, the original MADtv cast member’s extensive voice credits include Samurai Jack, Static Shock, Green Lantern in Justice League, and Hermes Conrad in Futurama. He’s also no stranger to answering the call as Winston, having played the character in Jason Reitman’s December 2012 live reading of Ghostbusters at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, alongside Seth Rogen as Peter, Jack Black as Ray, and Rainn Wilson as Egon.
Of course, the team wouldn’t be complete without Janine Melnitz, with original voice actress Laura Summer returning alongside LaMarche. Kevin Mangold, who portrayed Slimer in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, will also play the team’s resident green ghost and appear in costume at the event.
As previously reported, Mears, best known to horror fans for playing Jason Voorhees in 2009’s Friday the 13th, will give voice to the Boogieman. Additional casting includes Brock Powell as Louie the Gangster ghost, Aaron LaPlante as Mr. Carter, and Laraine Newman voicing both Carter children, Megan and Kenny. Eric Bauza and Jessica DiCicco will also lend their voices to the reading’s supporting cast.
For those needing a refresher, the 1986 episode finds the Ghostbusters helping two children whose closet hides something considerably worse than a few misplaced toys. The case becomes personal when Egon reveals his own childhood history with the Boogieman.
Giving Back with The Real Ghostbusters: A 40th Anniversary Celebration takes place this Saturday, October 3, at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Presented by Saturday Morning Cartoons United in collaboration with Sony Pictures and Ghost Corps, a portion of proceeds will benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation.
The afternoon gets underway at 1:00 p.m. with an Ecto-1 appearance and a one-hour set from The Flux Capacitors, followed by the main program at 2:00 p.m. Alongside the script reading, attendees can expect episode screenings, plus Myke Chilian’s McBusters short.
Whether you’re heading to Los Angeles or answering the call from home, you can be part of this Saturday’s celebration, with in-person tickets available for $22.99 and livestream access for $15.
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