Trip Report – Sheryl Lee at North Bend Theatre – Evening of August 17, 2024

On August 16-17, 2024, the North Bend Theatre in North Bend, Washington held three screenings of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me with special guest Sheryl Lee. This is the third trip report from the screenings held in the Real Twin Peaks of Snoqualmie Valley which covers the evening screenin beginning at 7:00 p.m. on August 17.

MEETING SHERYL LEE OUTSIDE NORTH BEND THEATRE

Once the conversation with Sheryl Lee wrapped following the 3:00 p.m. showing, attendees were escorted out the back of the theatre. The final screening would begin at 7:00 p.m. so North Bend Theatre staff needed time to clean so the meet and greet with Sheryl Lee moved to outside the theatre.

The line to meet Sheryl stretched all the way to the back of the theatre. Some folks thought this was the line for the 7:00 p.m. screening but I helped get them to the correct line on the opposite side of the building.

While talking to guests in line, I meet one fan who brought the amazing Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray set from 2014. He was debating where to have Sheryl sign, landing on the page with the Red Room scene with Agent Cooper and Laura Palmer. It’s truly a magnificent set (as documented in this article).

Another fan brought the beautiful U.S. theatrical release poster which Sheryl signed using a gold pen. The gold on red drapes looked perfect!

When fellow Twin Peaks Blog author and prop enthusiast Jason Mattson met Sheryl, he presented her with two postcards with artwork created by Ingvild Adelaine Eiring. This image captures her reaction at seeing the art as theatrical booking agent Mike McGraner looks on.

This is the artwork Sheryl saw. I had a similar reaction as it’s outstanding. Ingvild’s talents for creating miniatures dioramas with fabric mice in exceptional. The Log Lady’s home from the Bravo TV introductions is so well done. No wonder Sheryl reacted the way she did.

I snapped a quick picture of Jason and Sheryl after he had screen-used Double R Diner coffee mugs signed.

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME SCREENING AT 7:00 P.M.

As Sheryl’s meet and greet was happening, the line to get into the 7:00 p.m. show stretched down Bendigo Boulevard.  This was exciting to see as I imagine it was similar to when the film premiered at the same theatre on August 16, 1992.

The building with the green roof in the distance was once home to the Alpine Blossom and Gift Shoppe, the place to get Twin Peaks souvenirs in the early-to-mid 1990s. How I wish they were still operational during this trip with all of the incredible 1990s t-shirts.

While walking the line, I posed for a photo with Bookhouse Gal Jill Watson. I love how Mount Si is pictured in the background. Jill was the first person to take me on a tour of Olallie State Park and to the film location of the Convenience Store from the third season.

The line to get in continued for awhile as the sun was setting over Snoqualmie Valley. The best part about this weekend was meeting so many Twin Peaks fans, new folks I had not met before this trip.

I saw two more familiar faces while taking photos outside – Rachel and Max, the owners of Twede’s Cafe. They have been a godsend for the Twin Peaks community helping preserve the Double R Diner film location in North Bend. It’s difficult to believe it was almost a year ago that the neon “RR” sign was installed thanks to an amazing Kickstarter campaign led by fellow dedicated fans. The cherry pie really is worth the stop and you can have it shipped to your home via Goldbelly (like I did for Pi Day in March 2024).

Sam Burrows was outside scanning the QR codes for guests to enter the theatre.

This is the third commemorative ticket from the weekend screenings of Lynch’s 1992 masterpiece. I’m happy to have all three in mint condition!

Later on, I discovered Jeff Moore, the Twin Peaks prop master from season two, had stopped by the North Bend Theatre. It was a delight speaking with him during the Real Twin Peaks event in February 2024. He is pictured with Jason Mattson next to the theatrical poster.

I also grabbed a selfie with Jeff and fellow prop collector and Twin Peaks Blog author Vinnie Guidera. I can’t wait for Jeff’s book, “Who Propped Laura Palmer?,” being released next year. He has so many wonderful stories about creating the show I absolutely adore.

EXCITEMENT FOR DAVID LYNCH’S FILM

The 7:00 p.m. show was sold out and the energy in the theatre was electrifying.

I met several more fans while people waited for the show to begin. Nice to see so many Twin Peaks shirts like this Double R Diner shirt which I also own.

More fun Twin Peaks-themed shirts.

I love Melissa’s cherry pie-themed purse! Nina (center) is a talented tattoo artist who runs Ink and Paint Tattoo Gallery in downtown Seattle. Check out her creations on Instagram and be amazed!

Nicely themed Double R Diner waitress outfit!

Shortly after 7:00 p.m., the lights dimmed and Beth Burrows took the stage again. She welcomed everyone and introduced the 4K version of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

I mentioned the energy in the theatre was electric. Just watch this short video that captures the excitement from the opening credits. People yelled, cheered and applauded as key cast and crew member names appeared on screen. I imagine this is what it was like during the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 1992 (none of that “booing” stuff that was reported).

After the film ended, the theatre showed a short documentary by Dugpa about the 1992 Twin Peaks Fan Festival.  I was happy to assist by providing some newspaper clippings and research about this first fan event.

You can see that video on YouTube for a few days and then it will only live at the North Bend Theatre for special events.

SHERYL LEE’S HANDPRINT CEREMONY

During the screening, the film was interrupted three times due to a power outage caused by a freak storm. I was next door at Il Pasana having dinner and saw the entire city’s power get knocked off line. According to those in the theatre, the first time it happened was around the Power and the Glory scene. When the power went out, the theatre had to restart the projector which means the film and the documentary ended around 10:30 p.m.

Here is Sheryl’s handprint ceremony which was different from the previous two moments from the weekend. With the film’s delay, the cement block began to set making it difficult for Sheryl to leave impressions. Mike tried assisting with a nod to a familiar scene from Ghost.

The video also gives a look at the number of first-time viewers of Lynch’s 1992 film. WOW! I was shocked to see that many who had never seen it before that night.

Here is the final product with Sheryl’s “butterfly-like” handprints and autograph.

Later in the evening, Sheryl posed for a photo by her handprints and start which were next to Kyle MacLachlan’s handprints outside the North Bend Theatre.

CONVERSATION WITH SHERYL LEE – AUGUST 17, 2024 at 10:30 P.M.

Sheryl Lee took the stage with Mike McGraner to answer questions from the energetic audience. She again sat in the screen-used chair from the Red Room scenes from Twin Peaks: The Return.

You can see that 38-minute conversation with Sheryl Lee on the Twin Peaks Blog YouTube channel.

Sheryl looked radiant on stage while answering so many questions from Twin Peaks fans. One of the first questions asked was what advice would Sheryl Lee give Laura Palmer before she died. Sheryl paused for a moment before responding.

“Reach out; ask for help,” she said solemnly. “And even though you may feel really, really, really, really alone, there’s someone out there who can find your hand in the dark and grab on.”

The entire theatre applauded as her words hung over the audience.

Another attendee asked about her appearance on the Twin Peaks-themed Psych episode titled “Dual Spires.”

“Oh it was so fun,” exclaimed Sheryl. “It was so wonderful because a lot of us hadn’t seen each other in the cast for awhile. And so when [Steve Franks, James Roday and Dulé Hill] called us up there to be on “Psych,” they gave us such a gift, to be able to see each other again and play like that and have fun. It was so beautiful, the locations. It was just a really, really joyful time.”

When asked if Frank Silva (Killer BOB) was a nice person on set, Sheryl said he was an “absolute sweetheart.” This is the same sentiment echoed by many other Twin Peaks cast members. I wish I could have met him!

Responding to a question about how Laura Palmer’s angel has helped her throughout the years, she said knowing angels exist was important.

“To know they exist, they they are around us everywhere. I think that continual reminder that we do have help and guidance, but we just have to remember to ask,” Sheryl answered.

While photographing Sheryl during all three events, there were moments where her expressions seemed so familiar. As soon as I saw this image of her, I knew I had seen that smile before.

It’s the same smile Laura Palmer gave Bobby Briggs outside Twin Peaks High School in the feature film as Donna Hayward looked on. It was Laura’s smile!

When asked if she had any memorable moments when filming Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, Sheryl jokingly asked if the audience had seven more hours.

“I have so many, so many but most of them are not, some of them are specific memories, but most of them are just about the feeling and collaboration of being able to work with all those wonderful artists in every department. Obviously, David [Lynch], the whole camera department, the crew and the other actors, and Angelo [Badalamenti]. Just being in that world of that collaboration and that artistry, and that mastery, and that total unknown of going to work and knowing ‘I’m going to be challenged, I’m going to be surprised, I’m going to be inspired.’ It’s just that feeling of that beautiful world that [David Lynch] invites you to enter.”

One of the more humorous exchanges was an attendee who told Sheryl that he doesn’t watch a lot of David Lynch movies as he felt self-conscious about not getting what is going on. He then asked if she had ever felt that way and what advise would she give to viewers like him.

“I just want to come out there and give you a big hug,” Sheryl retorted quickly.

The audience member said, “Feel free to [laughs].”

“I get it, I understand,” she continued. “And part of the thrill of working in this was is that we get to live in the mystery and the unknown. There is a certain alchemy and magic in being able to not logically need to understand what is going on. And when we can drop into that, there is a freedom and a surrender and a flight that happens in that.”

The guest continued asking if Sheryl was in the video game “Bioshock 2.” He saw her name listed in the credits and wondered if she actually had a voice role in the game. Sheryl told a story about how she had been auditioning for voiceover work  and was hired to record for a video game. Yet she didn’t remember auditioning for the game. When the studio played the audition tape, she realized it was not her and told the crew. She then said that she would be glad to voice any character.

She had never seen “Bioshock 2” and wondered which character she played. The guest responded “Baby Jane Splicer” which had Sheryl laughing in stitches.

A side note, the guest may have confused Sheryl Lee with Sheryl Lee Ralph, a different actress who appeared in Dream Girls, Sister Act 2 and provided the voice of Rita in Oliver and Company. In “Bioshock 2,” Baby Jane Splicer was credited to Cassandra Grae.

Nevertheless, the entire exchange made for a very funny moment during the conversation.

You should watch all three of the conversations on YouTube as Sheryl Lee provides such wonderful insight and stories about her experiences as an actress.

MEETING SHERYL LEE AFTER THE CONVERSATION

After the conversation was done, Sheryl Lee signed the under the seat cushion of Jason’s screen-used chair.

What an incredibly unique thing to have autographed! I’m glad Jason provided the chair for the three conversations. The chair had been on display at the Snoqualmie Valley History Museum in North Bend since February 2024.

Jason poses with his newly signed chair. With the exhibit coming down soon, he will be taking the chair back to his home in Washington state.

Everyone posed for another group photo taken by North Bend Mayor and fellow photographer, Mary Miller. I held her chair while she took the shot then we grabbed a selfie together.

I also took a selfie with Karl Reinsch and Jason as the autograph session continued. I LOVE Karl’s Miami Vice meets Twin Peaks-themed shirt.

Sheryl continued signing autographs and meeting with fans until 1:45 a.m. Here, she is signing a t-shirt with the Laura Palmer homecoming queen photo. Contrary to some who believe, the photo is not Sheryl’s actual homecoming queen photo. This shot was specifically created for the series and it’s one of a few different shots as documented in this article.

I was also happy to see Matt Edgin whom I first met with his wonderful wife Katie in October 2022 at Spooky Empire in Orlando, Florida. Sadly, Katie passed earlier this year and Matt has been traveling the world with her close to his heart.

As the signing was ending, I found these posters created by Mr. Video for this event … wrapped in plastic! How fitting is that?

Due to the power outage, battery powered candles were added to the stage. Sheryl loved having them nearby as they created a nice ambiance to the stage. To close out the events, Sheryl, Steve Lange and Mike McGraner posed holding these candles. I’m grateful for all three of them as they made this weekend a core memory I’ll never forget.

Thank you again to Beth and Kevin Burrows, Britni Larson, the staff of North Bend Theatre, Mayor Mary Miller, and the “whole damn town” of Twin Peaks fans who traveled near and far to the screenings. I love being a part of this community and these three events were a great reminder of why Twin Peaks fans are the best fans in the world!

MORE IMAGES ON FLICKR

See more photographs from these events at the North Bend Theatre on Flickr. Many images have a Creative Commons license which means only attribution – @SamHowzit – is require if you’d like to use the photos.