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Exhibit, talk spotlights ‘That ‘70s Show’ city connection

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present Dunkirk, NY to Point Place, WI: A Conversation with "That '70s Show" Co-Creator, Producer, Writer and Dunkirk native Mark Brazill on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The event will coincide with a special exhibit opening at the Dunkirk Historical Museum earlier in the day.

One of the most popular television sitcoms of the late '90s and early 2000s was That '70s Show. It ran for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006, and was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards. The series focuses on the lives of a group of six teenage friends living in the 1970s in the fictional town of Point Place, WI.

But what many may not know is that Point Place was a setting that served as a stand-in for Dunkirk. Written and created by Dunkirk native Mark Brazill, the show was based on and inspired by actual people, places and events in Brazill's life growing up in Dunkirk.

This special evening exploring Dunkirk's influence on the show will feature show clips, trivia, guest appearances, and the story of how Brazill developed his concept for a show that ultimately became one of America's most watched series. Comedian Ritch Shydner will host and interview Brazill. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the evening, as well.

Brazill started his career doing stand-up comedy, and headlined clubs across America. He was a regular at The Improv and The Comedy Store. After opening for Dennis Miller, he was recruited to write for The Dennis Miller Show. That began a comedy writing career that eventually led to the creation of That 70's Show. Brazill also has been credited with writing for and producing 3rd Rock from the Sun, and writing for In Living Color.  Additionally, he co-created and wrote many episodes of  Mr. Rhodes.

As a stand-up comedian, Shydner appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Late Night with David Letterman, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno numerous times.   He performed an HBO half-hour special called One Night Stand, and was a guest on Comics Unleashed.  Along with comedian Mark Schiff, he compiled stories of comedians on the road in a 2006 book entitled I Killed; and he was featured in the 2010 documentary I Am Comic, in which he traveled around the country interviewing various comedians, a process that ultimately led to his return to stand-up by going on the stage again after 13 years of retirement.

As an actor, Shydner played Al Bundy's co-worker and friend Luke Ventura on Married ... With Children, and made guest appearances on other TV shows such as Designing Women, Roseanne, and Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.   He also appeared in the feature films Beverly Hills Cop II and Roxanne.

This special show coincides with the Dunkirk Historical Museum's Summer/Autumn display, That '70s Exhibit. The exhibit includes amazing artifacts reflecting both the 1970-1979 decade and the lasting impact it had on Dunkirk and its residents. It also includes a retrospective of Brazill's career.

The exhibit's grand opening is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 1; it will be open for display through December 31, free to the public during regular Museum hours.

General Admission tickets to A Conversation with Mark Brazill at the Opera House are $25, $23 (Seniors/Opera House Members), and $10 (Students). They can be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. They can be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to "present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region ... providing access to artistic diversity ... and high-quality programming at an affordable price." It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.