W. Newkirk Brings GREY GARDENS to The ShowRoom In Asbury Park, Screening And Signing Held 10/18

The ShowRoom, Asbury Park's independent cinema and multipurpose venue, will welcome acclaimed author Walter Newkirk on Sunday, October 18 for a special screening of the 2009 Emmy® Award-winning HBO film "Grey Gardens," as well as a post-film discussion and book signing.

The event will begin a 4:00 p.m. and includes a wine-and-cheese reception that will benefit the Monmouth County Arts Council. Newkirk will bring his first-hand knowledge and one-of-a-kind insights into the life of Edith Bouvier Beale, better known as Little Edie, to The ShowRoom's audience.

As a college journalist in 1976, Newkirk traveled to the Grey Gardens estate on Long Island to interview Beale about the documentary film "Grey Gardens" (1976) for his college newspaper, The Rutgers Daily Targum. Newkirk's initial interview with Beale evolved into a decades-long friendship that included appearances at parties, luncheons and special events, as well as extensive telephone and written correspondence. Newkirk translated his close, personal friendship with Beale into the 2008 book, "memorBEALEia: A Private Scrapbook About Edie Beale of Grey Gardens" and CD, "Little Edie Live! A Visit to Grey Gardens."

He used the Rutgers-newspaper interview along with reproductions of letters written by Beale, obscure newspaper clippings, never-before-seen photos and more to write "memorBEALEia." The ShowRoom has invited Newkirk to share his intimate Grey Gardens experience with fans of Little Edie Beale, and the Grey Gardens films, on October 18. The event is being organized just as Newkirk's 2009 book, "Letters of Little Edie Beale: Grey Gardens and Beyond," is nearing release. In addition to his post-film discussion, Newkirk will be signing copies of "memorBEALEia" for audience members.

Copies of his book and CD will be sold at The ShowRoom for $25.00 and $10.00, respectively. For more information on Newkirk, his relationship with Beale, or his books and CD, please visit www.greygardensbook.com and www.greygardenscd.com.

The HBO film, "Grey Gardens," starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, which recognizes Newkirk in the credits and mentions him personally in the DVD commentary, recently won big at the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards. The film took home six Emmy's for: Outstanding Made for Television Movie, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie,Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or Movie, and Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or Special. The HBO movie is a rare find on the big screen, making the "Grey Gardens" screening at The ShowRoom a truly special cinematic event. The film will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. A suggested donation on behalf of the Monmouth County Arts Council will be collected at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.theshowroomap.com.

About The ShowRoomOpened in April 2009, The ShowRoom is both an independent film theater and a multi-purpose venue located at 708 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, NJ. In addition to screening critically acclaimed, independent, classic, foreign, family and festival-winning film, The ShowRoom endeavors to provide the community with a versatile space for business meetings, art openings, live performances, book signings and more.

Owners Michael Sodano and Nancy Sabino are film-industry veterans with more than 25 years of experience in creative communications for corporate productions. With The ShowRoom, first-rate cinema is becoming yet another component in Asbury Park's growing downtown arts community. For more information, or to learn about film screenings, please visit www.theshowroomap.com or call 732-502-0472.

About Walter Newkirk-Author Walter Newkirk is the founder of Walter Newkirk Public Relations LLC.

A graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, he worked on publicity for the film Roseland (1977), with director James Ivory and producer Ismael Merchant, and now primarily books interviews with authors for satellite TV tours, including titles by Martha Steward, Valerie Bertinelli, Jenna Bush and Tom Clancy. Previously, Newkirk was a publicist for The Whole Theatre in Montclair, NJ, where Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis was the artistic director. He currently lives in Chatham, NJ. For more information, please visit www.greygardensbook.com or call 973-635-2986.

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