That Time of Year: Monster Mania Guest Announcements Begin

Over the past few years I have really begun to enjoy going to conventions. I love the opportunity to have a moment with the celebrity guests, to ask them a question, or thank them for their work, or something. To that end, the winter months always tend to be a bit lonely as the con season is over and we are in a holding pattern. Well, things just began to warm up as Monster Mania, a personal favorite con, has started to announce guests for their March 2015 line-up. Five names in and I can hardly wait.



This March will be the show's thirtieth, it also coincides with the 35th anniversary of Friday the 13th. To that end, they have lined up Adrienne King and Sean S. Cunningham for the show. I am really looking forward to meeting them. The former is the first “final girl” of the series, and, from what I have heard, a real sweetheart. I am kind of hoping she brings some of her Crystal Lake Wine with her. Now, the later is a man I do not believe makes many appearances. Sean S. Cunningham is the grandfather of the franchise, writing the story and directing the first film, not to mention going on to produce the rest of the series.

Before those two were announced, the first guest they listed is someone who should be known to comedy and horror fans alike, Lin Shaye. Horror fans should know her from her role as he schoolteacher in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, not to mention as Elise in the Insidious series. On the comedy side, she has appeared in films such as Kingpin and There's Something About Mary. I am really looking forward to meeting her, she has a way of bringing some class to horror.

Another guest I look forward to seeing is PJ Soles. I met her last year at a different convention and welcome the opportunity to meet her again. She is a really nice guest who genuinely likes meeting her fans. She is another actress with both horror and comedy ties, having appeared in The Devil's Rejects and the original Halloween, not to mention Stripes and Rock and Roll High School.

Rounding out the first batch of guests is Claudia Wells from the first Back to the Future. She was actually at the first convention I ever went to back in 2011. I did not meet her then, but I may rectify that know.

I have to say that I am rather excited for this event. It is the first one of the season and is always a good time. Besides the usually strong guest lineup, I have made friends with a few vendors and artists who work the show and I always love the opportunity to hang around with them.

The best I can say at this point is to keep an eye on their Facebook page and see what other surprises they have in store for us.