‘Jamie Marks’ opens in movie theaters

Christopher Barzak has spent the past two weeks preparing for the latest milestone associated with his novel, “One for Sorrow.”

The assistant English professor at Youngstown State University will be at the Capitol Theater in Cleveland on Friday for the theatrical premiere of “Jamie Marks is Dead,” the film based on his 2007 novel.

The film, directed by Carter Smith (“The Ruins”) opens in theaters that day in eight other cities as well: New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Francisco and Tampa.

It’s just the next step in a series of events that are only dreamed about by most novelists. First came the announcement that a director has picked up the option for the story. Then, there was the actual filming, which took place in Monticello, N.Y., in 2013.

“Jamie Marks” debuted earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was impressively named one of the 16 finalists in the U.S. Dramatic category. Barzak flew to Park City, Utah, in January for that milestone.

The premier in theaters might be the biggest moment, because it’s the first time that the general public can see the film.

“I’m really excited for people to finally be able to see it,” said Barzak. “It’s been something that only I’ve seen so far, so I’m really thrilled that my family and friends will finally be able to see the movie with me.”

Barzak will be the guest at a question-and-answer session after the 7:20 p.m. screening Friday at the Capitol Theater, which is on Cleveland’s West Side. An informal after-party will begin around 11 p.m. Friday at Suzie’s Dogs and Drafts on North Phelps Street in downtown Youngstown.

Barzak will do another Q&A session after the 4:10 p.m. showing Sunday, and a bus has been chartered to take YSU students and community members to the theater that day. Seats may still be available; YSU students should email Mary Beth Earnheardt at mearnheardt@ysu.edu for information, while everyone else should email Amy Neral at the Hubbard library at amy@beyond-books.org.

As of this writing, “Jamie Marks is Dead” is scheduled to run for a week at the Capitol Theater, but it could be extended, depending on sales. For information, go to clevelandcinemas.com.

Barzak drove up to Cleveland earlier this week to appear on the radio show “The Sound of Applause with Dee Perry.”

Barzak, a native of Johnston Township, earned bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from YSU and joined the faculty full time in 2008.

“One for Sorrow,” published by Bantam Books, was his first novel. It won the Crawford Award for Best First Fantasy.

The film is a faithful, albeit condensed, adaptation of Barzak’s book.

Set in Youngstown and rural Trumbull County, it follows a troubled teen as he seeks acceptance and friendship in a strange existence between life and death. He roams through the buildings and byways in the YSU area.

The cast includes Cameron Monaghan as Adam, the main character; Noah Silver as Jamie Marks; and Morgan Saylor as Gracie; plus Judy Greer, Madisen Beaty and Liv Tyler.

Although it was shot in upstate New York, all place names from Barzak’s book have been left intact.

STEWART CONCERT AT COVELLI MAKES GREAT ROCK MOMENTS LIST

Sunday’s Rod Stewart concert at Covelli Centre brought the latest in a series of great classic-rock moments at the downtown arena.

I am referring to seeing rock legends perform the enduring songs that made them global superstars.

On Sunday, it came toward the end of the concert when Stewart sang “Maggie May.”

Some other songs on this list include: Elton John doing “Tiny Dancer” (2014), George Thorogood, “Bad to the Bone” (2012); Bob Dylan, “Like a Rolling Stone” (2012); and Alice Cooper, “School’s Out” (2010).