Joining Co-stars for Upcoming Show, Actor Jack Coleman Recalls 'Dynasty'

In the 1980s the place to be on a Wednesday night was your local gay bar. The reason? One of America's most popular nighttime soaps – "Dynasty" – was filling them across the country with SRO viewing parties. Was there a better place to watch one of Joan Collins and Linda Evans' famous catfights?

Three of the men from the series – John James, Gordon Thomson, and Jack Coleman – have reunited for an evening of reminiscences about the show. "Cocktails with the Carringtons" has been touring venues across the country over the past year. On September 7, the trio bring "Cocktails With the Carringtons: A Dynasty Party" to San Francisco's Feinstein's at The Nikko in San Francisco on Wednesday, September 7th, at 8 pm. According to the show's press release, the trio "will reunite on stage for an intimate evening of laughs and conversation, with never before told unedited backstage stories, interaction with the audience, and musical surprises."

When the show played Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel Theater, Collins appeared to support her co-stars, saying, "I had a great time and the boys were terrific!" Blogger Lawrence Zarian gushed: " 'Cocktails with the Carringtons' is a delicious, bubbly ride down Dynasty Lane. As we're reunited with Jeff, Steven and Adam, we're instantly whisked back to the decade of indulgence, hot-unadulterated sex, luxe, lavish lifestyles and a complicated rollercoaster of a ride called The Carringtons. Here's a toast to an absolutely delicious night."

Coleman hasn't stopped working since playing Stephen Carringon on "Dynasty" some 35 years ago, appearing in some 50+ television shows and made-for-tv movies, as well as a dozen films. Amongst his most popular roles were Noah Bennett on NBC's "Heroes" and the closeted gay husband Daniel Douglas Langston of conservative Vice President Sally Langston on "Scandal." Currently, Jack can be seen on NBC's "Ordinary Joe."

Tickets for "Cocktails with the Carringtons" available at this website.

EDGE: Tell us about "Cocktails with the Carringtons?"

Jack Coleman: John James gave me a call and said, "I've just been mulling this idea over for a bit. You, me, and Gordon get up on stage and tell war stories from 'Dynasty.' " I thought it would be fun until he said we should sing a couple of songs. Luckily, we all sing. John really wanted it to be like a Rat Pack show with singing and a Q&A.

EDGE: How did the idea for the show come about? Were other "Dynasty" actors considered?

Jack Coleman: I don't think so, unless JJ just hasn't told us that we were his fifth and sixth choices. He wanted to keep it small, so that it wasn't too many perspectives and too many stories.

EDGE: What is it like reminiscing with John James and Gordon Thomson?

Jack Coleman: It's incredibly fun. We first started doing it in the middle of COVID, and it was all by Zoom. There were all these incredible stories that I didn't know or remember. I look back on it now, and it almost seems like it was somebody else's life. It was so long ago and far away, and in a very different era.

EDGE: What was the toughest part about playing the second Steve Carrington?

Jack Coleman: The hardest part is just coming in and taking over for somebody because there's sort of a natural resistance, or there could be a natural resistance from the audience. It was hard to replace Al Corley because he had made quite an impression and he was very popular. Then, all of a sudden, there's this new guy who nobody knows. I did end up doing it for six seasons, so after a short period of time I no longer felt like I was the replacement.

EDGE: As a straight man, what was it like playing the first recurring openly gay character on network TV?

Jack Coleman: I was 24 years old at the time, and I was just trying to carve out a career for myself. Then a part like this comes along, and yes, I did have about a 10 second conversation with myself wondering if it would harm my career. There was a tiny little voice that said, "I wonder if I might get typecast," but that little voice was drowned out instantly. At that point in time, there was no representation of queer characters on prime time. It did take me a bit to figure out what my character meant to people,

People are still effusive and emotional about Steven. I have fans still say to me, "You have no idea how important Steven Carrington was to me." It was meaningful then, and is still today. I am incredibly grateful that I got to play him, and that so many queer fans felt seen.

EDGE: Do you have a favorite storyline?

Jack Coleman: The storyline that resonated with me in terms of the emotional impact was the brief moment that Steven and Sammy Jo tried to get together. After they slept together it was Steven who said, "I can't do this, this isn't who I am." Instead of snapping at each other, they had real heartfelt conversation that was emotional. Steven was always battling within himself about wanting a wife and child, but he knew that was not who he was. He had to be honest with himself and with her. That was some really great emotional stuff to play. I also enjoyed all my time with Pamela Bellwood. We had a lot of wonderful scenes together. And, of course, all my scenes with Joan.

EDGE: What was it like have Joan Collins as your TV mom?

Jack Coleman: Joan was great! She had the energy of a 21-year-old, and still does. She was fun and funny. When you're working with Joan, there's a certain amount of paying attention you need to do when you're approaching her. You have to know the things that she likes and doesn't like. It's not paying homage, but being respectful of someone who had earned their place in this business. We laughed and had fun and joked together on set. She is a pro, and she was always fun to work with. She's the best TV mom out there.

EDGE: I have to ask, what was it like working with Rock Hudson?

Jack Coleman: I actually don't believe we worked together while he was on the show. It is pathetic of me if I actually had a scene with him and I don't recall it. I have not seen the show since it aired. However, I do remember one shared moment with him in the makeup trailer. He told me about an incident he had in Hawaii while he was the hotel bar and "Dynasty" was on the TV. Somebody started made some homophobic remark, and Rock lit into them. I don't think he was on the show yet when that happened. I think he was just about to join. As you know, he died the year he was on "Dynasty." It was very important to me that he defended me and Steven, but it was probably more important to him because he was not out. I feel like he was defending himself. I found it be very touching that he wanted me to know that he defended me.

Rock Hudson had so much class, grace, and charm. I wish I had gotten to work with him. I know that Heather Locklear really enjoyed working with him, and said many times that he was just a dream to work with.

EDGE: What do you image Steven is up to today?

Jack Coleman: Being 64 years old as I am, he is probably retired. No, I actually think he would be an advocate for LGBTQ rights in DC. I think he would be running a not-for-profit organization. I think that the better nature of his angels would have eventually taken over, and he would've gotten out of any kind of private sector job. He would also be happily married, but not sure if it would be with Bart Fallmont or someone else.

EDGE: What are your thoughts on the "Dynasty" reboot?

Jack Coleman: I don't really have any thoughts on it. I haven't watched it. Here's all I will say: They did offer me a part in Season Two, but it had absolutely nothing to do with my former character. Not even a tip of the hat to whom I played. There was nothing clever about the role they offered me. It was a part that was a disposable jerk. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

"Cocktails With the Carringtons: A Dynasty Party" will now come to Feinstein's at The Nikko, with plans for a national tour in the US in 2022 and 2023.