On Sunday, May 22nd, 2016, close to 3000 fans of the classic 1986 John Hughes comedy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, convened on Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, Illinois for a live re-creation of the celebrated “Twist and Shout” parade scene from the original film. The event provided a rousing finale to the 30th Anniversary “Ferris Fest” celebration events that took place that weekend.

With look-alikes of Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron in attendance, the Chicago crowd took part in a spot-on re-enactment of the parade singing performances and dance routines of “Danke Schoen” and “Twist and Shout.” For Lee Ann Marie, the Dance Production Director, it was like deja vu all over again.  30 years prior, Lee Ann had been one of the original Fräulein performers in the film and she was excited to return with six talented Fräulein-costumed dancers to re-create the iconic parade performance. Every single move, step, turn, and high kick was carefully arranged using only the movie’s dance scene as their guide.

Beyond the Marquee’s Creative Director, Steve Czarnecki, flew in to Chicago with the BTM crew and had unlimited access to all of the “Ferris Fest” locations, events, cast members, and VIP attendees throughout the weekend. A self-proclaimed uber-fan of John Hughes films and Ferris Bueller, Steve was thrilled to be on hand to archive all of the memorable moments that made up the 30th Anniversary celebration. It was an amazing honor and highlight for the BTM crew to produce and film the “Twist & Shout” homage dance routine as seen in the video above and we think it’s probably the biggest shoot we’ve directed yet!

Scroll down the page after the jump to learn some fun facts about the parade re-creation and check out some great pics from the event.

PLUS, be sure to visit Beyond the Marquee next week as we’ll be rolling out our 3-part “Ferris Fest” weekend recap videos that put you right in with the fans and cast who came out to Chicago to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film. Filled with special events, filming locations, VIP guests, exclusive interviews, and more, you will not want to miss the excitement!

The Ferris Fest weekend scene re-creation actors; (L to R) Cameron Frye (Derrick Hill), Ferris Bueller (Ryan Stajmiger) and Sloane Peterson (Erin Oechsel)

Fun Facts

An event as big as re-creating the famed parade dance routine from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off could not have happened without a great amount of participation from several individuals and organizations throughout Chicagoland.  Here are some fun facts about how the routine came back to life beat-for-beat 30 years later:

* Chicago’s own famed South Shore Drill Team performed during the ‘Twist and Shout’ LIVE parade re-creation.  In 1986, the team was only in its fifth year of existence when they performed for the original parade sequence in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Even though only a portion of their iconic synchronized moves were seen in the film, the current generation of SSDT performed the ENTIRE original full-length routine that had been prepared and performed for when the cameras rolled on the film. Check out the South Shore Drill Team at their official website.

* Lee Ann Marie joined the “Ferris Fest” team as Dance Production Director. Lee Ann had been a professional dancer for six years in the 80’s before being cast as a dancing Fräulein on the parade float during the “Twist and Shout” sequence in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, which remains one of her favorite credits to this day. In the film, Lee Ann is the blonde Fräulein in the center immediately behind Matthew Broderick. Other highlights in her career include being a pro cheerleader for both the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls and co-starring and dancing in the band Survivor’s #1 MTV video, “I Can’t Hold Back”. Lee Ann now manages her own company, Lee Ann Marie Productions (www.leeannmarieproductions.com) and was very excited by the prospect of reinventing the choreography for the ‘Twist and Shout’ parade re-creation. 

* Hank Fiene with ABC Parade Floats was one of the original designers and builders of the parade float used in the 1986 film that Ferris Bueller and the Fräulein dancers Twisted and Shouted upon. 30 years later, Hank worked with Ferris Fest to re-build the replica 30 x 8 ft float, based off the original designs from the classic film.

* Remember when Ferris’ dad heard the parade music from his office and did his own little dance? Lyman Ward, the actor who played Ferris’ father, attended the “Twist & Shout” parade re-creation and has a quick cameo in the video above.

* The dancing maintenance crew you see in the updated video were shot on the fly (and with no accompanying music) as our BTM crew waited for their Taxi, shortly after arriving at the Chicago airport. The 2 workers on the lift at Ohare Airport were extremely good-sports when we explained to them that we needed a quick insert shot of dancing construction workers for a re-creation video we were producing for Ferris Fest.

* Daley Plaza (that’s where they got that Picasso), was used as the location for the Ferris dance scene re-creation and has also been used as a filming location for several Chicago-based movies — most notably, The Blues Brothers (1980) and The Fugitive (1993). 

* Ryan Stajmiger, who got his first chance to cosplay as Ferris Bueller during the 30th Anniversary re-creation, has yet to meet Matthew Broderick.  However, his uncanny resemblance to the actor has earned him roles in stage productions that Matthew has had a part in on Broadway including playing Leo in “The Producers” and Eugene Morris Jerome in “Brighton Beach Memoirs” (Broderick’s first Broadway gig). Ryan was thrilled to have the chance to step into a character that’s so universally loved by fans around the world.

Some of the cast from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off who were on hand for the weekend. (L to R) Larry “Flash Jenkins (Garage Attendant), Jonathan Schmock (“Maitre’d of Chez Quis”) , Lyman Ward (Ferris’ Dad), Cindy Pickett (Ferris’ Mom), Edie McClurg (Grace the Secretary).

Dance Production Director; Lee Ann Marie & The Fräuleins

This gentleman was one of the original featured extras from the 1986 movie and he returned to celebrate ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ 30 years later at the parade re-creation. This time he brought his family with him.  He can be seen in our video holding a screen-grab of himself from the film.

Beyond the Marquee Creative Director, Steve Czarnecki, takes a moment for a fun pic with the Ferris Bueller parade re-creation cast, during Ferris Fest 2016.

Be sure to check out www.FerrisFest.com for all the incredible details of events and invited guests that were part of the big “Ferris Fest” celebration that took place in Chicago, Illinois!

Stay tuned to BeyondTheMarquee.com and BeyondtheMarqueeShow on YouTube for great exclusives on your favorite movies and television shows.

Check out below, the Ferris Fest teaser videos that we also helped to create, with some of the original cast from the movie…

Day One of the 3-Day Leisure weekend that was FERRIS FEST during the weekend of May 20-22nd, kicked off with a 1986 themed Shermer High School Spring Dance. Cast from the film along with the biggest Ferris Bueller fans from around the globe talked and danced with each other the whole evening, sharing their passion, stories and love for the classic 1986 John Hughes film.

Legendary KROQ and Sirius XM DJ Richard Blade, was spinning all 80s tunes including those heard on the soundtrack of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF and many other John Hughes 80s teen movies. Fans who attended the dance, donned 1980’s garb and some even dressed as their favorite character from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Also at the event were the stars of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, which included Edie McClurg, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock and Larry “Flash” Jenkins. These special guests spent the entire evening taking pictures, signing autographs and mingling with the die-hard fans!

For those with a need for speed, an exact replica of a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder as seen in the movie, was also on hand for fans to sit in.

Find out more about FERRIS FEST by visiting; www.FerrisFest.com

The stars of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF; Edie McClurg, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock and Larry “Flash” Jenkins

Did you miss our exclusive ‘Twist and Shout’ 30th Anniversary recreation video that we shot on-location in Chicago during Ferris Fest? Be sure to check it out below and share with the Ferris fans in your inner-circle!

Some of the die-hard Ferris Fest fans who were in attendance during the opening night ceremonies!

Fans waited patiently for a chance to sit in and pose with the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder

Larry “Flash” Jenkins hops back in the Ferrari for another joyride!

Day Two of the 3-Day Leisure weekend that was Ferris Fest during the weekend of May 20-22nd, continued with an extensive bus tour to various shooting locations in and around Chicago and concluded with a 30th Anniversary screening of the film at the John & Nancy Hughes theater.

The day concluded with First 30th anniversary Q&A screening of FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at The John and Nancy Hughes Theater located in the Gorton Community Center of Lake Forest, IL. In attendance that evening was honored guest Nancy Hughes, wife/widow of the late Writer/Producer/Director; John Hughes.

The movie was followed up immediately with a Q&A with Edie McClurg, Cindy Pickett, Lyman Ward, Jonathan Schmock, Larry “Flash” Jenkins, and hosted by Chicago Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper. Afterward fans had an opportunity to meet the stars and get autographs and photos.

Be sure to check out our other FERRIS FEST Exclusive Videos at our FERRIS FEST YouTube Playlist!

Highlights of Day Two included Six 55 passenger coach buses that traveled to a different FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF filming location from the suburbs on the north shore to downtown Chicago.

Location Stops Included:

– Cameron’s house: Borrowing, then crashing Dad’s 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.
– Glenbrook North High School (Shermer High School): Ferris picks up Sloane disguised as her father, Mr. Peterson.
– Ferris Bueller’s room re-creation
– Willis (formerly Sears) Tower: Ferris, Sloane and Cameron take in the view from 1,350 feet above.

Learn more about FERRIS FEST at: www.FerrisFest.com

Check out some of our pics from our journey with the Ferris Festers!

It’s FERRIS FRIDAY and tomorrow, June 11th marks the 30th Anniversary of the classic 1986 John Hughes comedy, “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off”

The SOLD OUT Ultimate 3-Day Leisure weekend took place during the weekend of May 20-22nd, and included a jam packed schedule that included an 80’s themed High School Spring dance, a 30th Anniversary screening of the film, Q&A’s with cast from the film, bus tours to various shooting locations from the film, in/around Chicago and even a 30th Anniversary parade recreation in Downtown Chicago.

Beyond the Marquee was given VIP Access and was on hand for the entire event from Dawn till Midnight, covering every moment, interviewing all the cast, going behind the scenes of the weekends choice events and more!

Check out ALL of our FERRIS FEST videos below, from the 3-Day recap segments hosted by Ferris fans and assorted cast from the film, our Exclusive “Twist and Shout” 30th Anniversary Parade recreation video, and some of the promos we helped produce with some of the actors from the movie months before, leading up to the historic tribute weekend!

Learn more about FERRIS FEST at: www.FerrisFest.com

“I think the reason why Ferris Bueller’s Day Off resonates so much is because Ferris is really like a superhero in this age of superhero movies, Ferris is a superhero to people who want to take a day off. Maybe if they are in high school, or in college, working a 9-5 job, or trying to figure out what they want to do with their life, or figure out where they’re at and who they are, they just need time off to breathe…and really just take life in. It’s really the concept of being able to go out, and look around you and see life that’s happening, to just really embrace it and acknowledge that the most important thing… is living life”.

-David Blanchard (‘Ferris Fest’ Creator & Event Organizer)

30TH ANNIVERSARY ‘TWIST & SHOUT’ PARADE RECREATION

FERRIS FEST – DAY 1

FERRIS FEST – DAY 2

FERRIS FEST – DAY 3

FERRIS FEST PROMO – FERRIS’ PARENTS

FERRIS FEST PROMO – MR ROONEY’S SECRETARY (GRACE)

BTM’s Founder & Creative Director; Steve Czarnecki was on hand for all of FERRIS FEST covering every minute of the event for our Beyond the Marquee viewers.

BTM Junior Reporter; Lindalee Rose recaps this past weekend’s special event of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory LIVE!. FINN WOLFHARD (Stranger Things), JOHN STAMOS (Fuller House), ELLE KING, and “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC and all-star cast gathered to sing the iconic songs from the film, as it played on the Hollywood Bowl’s movie screen, accompanied by LIVE musicians.

There’s something about the deadpan humor of the Irish that always seems to work—and Owen Dara’s THE HOLY FAIL is no exception. Set in Dara’s hometown of Cork, Ireland, the story centers around a newlywed couple already headed for divorce. Dara, the multi-hat-wearing writer, director, producer, and songwriter of the film, also stars in the lead role as the obsessively clean and boringly predictable, Brendan.

As a last ditch attempt at saving his marriage, Brendan adds a little salt to his bland personality by telling his adventurous American wife, Nicole (Jessica Lancaster), that he’s planning to rob a safe— a hackneyed plan dreamt up by Brendan’s best friend, the determined and daft, Colm (Stiofán Wyley). This being a comedy, of course nothing could be further from the truth. Soon Brendan’s little green lie entangles him in a web of untruths (and his re-aroused new bride’s legs). As Brendan struggles with either sticking to his morals or standing by his heart, the dominos begin to fall every which way, leading Brendan and his troupe of robbers-to-be toward apocalyptically epic failure.

Dara’s prowess as a longtime standup comic expertly manifests as he, quite impressively, sets up and pays off every nook and cranny of the story. And nowhere is this more evident than in the storyline of the two bumbling, prankster police guards, Garda Jim and Garda Kieran (Kevin McCormack and Frank Prendergast). Just when you think the twists and turns can’t get any more ridiculous, they do. Thanks to Dara’s meticulous writing skills, running gags land precisely and perfectly — and are face-palmingly funny to boot.

The biggest punny of all is where THE HOLY FAIL gets its moniker. Dara’s most daring of robbery complications takes place within the sanctity of a Catholic nunnery, led by the no-nonsense head nun, Sister Assumpta, played by Mairin Prendergast— an actress not only a pleasure to watch in a role as a Mother Superior, but also as an actual mother to Garda Kieran’s Frank Prendergast.

Utilizing Cork’s finest scenery, some of its best actors, and one local Corker cast straight from his barstool, THE HOLY FAIL is an accomplishment that should make Dara and his team quite proud. There are moments that leave the audience laughing well after a punchline lands (a difficult feat even many above-the-line comics struggle with), and the well-crafted scuffle of oh-Brendan-boy’s ethics versus his vows is truly a delight to watch.

Perhaps the most appetizing aspect of THE HOLY FAIL lies in its ability to never feel like a joke (or the film) runs too long. Running at a comedy clip of 85 minutes, THE HOLY FAIL has the luck of the Irish behind it—and hopefully pots of distribution gold lie in its future ahead

“The Holy Fail” premiered at The Pasadena International Film Festival on March 11th 2018. For more information on PIFF, please visit: https://www.pasadenafilmfestival.org/

Reviewed by Natasha Lewin–March 16th, 2018

Photographed: Owen Dara (producer/writer/director/composer), Virginia Williams (soundtrack vocalist), Jessica Lancaster (producer/actress)
Photo Credit: Jenny Rolapp

Beyond the Marquee once again partnered with BacktotheFuture.com to capture the fun and excitement of the latest Back to the Future Celebration. This most recent event brought together fans of the classic time-travel series, as well as fans of turn of the century architecture to the historic Gamble House in Pasadena California (known to film BTTF fans as Doc Brown’s mansion).

Along the way, assorted crew, filmmakers and colorful personalities were on hand to ensure that this was to be a red-letter date in history!!!

To learn more about upcoming Back to the Future Celebrations, visit; http://www.facebook.com/backtothefuturecelebration Learn more about the historic Gamble House by visiting; http://gamblehouse.org/

Back to the Future trilogy Dean Cundey talks to Beyond the Marquee about the amazing turnout at the Gamble House event.

TV actor Josh Sussman expresses his enthusiasm for being at the actual filming location for Doc Brown’s mansion, from the Back to the Future films.

YouTube personality Adam the Woo and BTM’s own Steve Czarnecki are on hand interviewing Doc Brown (aka Rusty Locke) outside the Gamble House in Pasadena

Relive the fun, excitement, heart, and adventure of the inaugural 4-day ‘Back to 1885’ fan event that celebrates everything ‘Back to the Future Part III’. The historic towns of Columbia, Jamestown, and Sonora, California set the stage for the biggest tribute of the third installment of the beloved ‘Back to the Future’ time travel trilogy. Witness stunning footage of the world’s most dedicated fans reliving scenes from their favorite film, jumping off the ‘clock tower’ down a 1500’ zip line, then kicking up their heels in jubilation at the Hill Valley Festival. The ‘Citizens of Hill Valley’ are interviewed as they mingle with the real life musicians, extras, production crew, and even some high-falutin’ celebrities from the film. The biggest star of all, the famous Sierra #3 steam train, makes a historic debut dressed as it was in ‘Back to the Future Part III’, 30 years ago. Get ready to steam ahead and ride into the sunset as you venture ‘Back to 1885’ one more time!

Back to 1885 – A ‘Back To The Future Part III’ Event (‘Doc’umentary)

Filmed, Produced, and Edited by: Steve Czarnecki and Kevin Stern

Event Organizers: Oliver and Terry Holler

Sponsored by: http://www.BackToTheFuture.com

For more information on ‘Back to 1885’ Fan Events, please visit: http://www.backto1885.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BackTo1885/