My Blog

Francis Reid’s Tumbleweed Christmas Tree

Thu, 6 May 2010 23:28:03 -0700

Please read my earlier blog about the passing of Francis Reid (Alice Horton on DAYS OF OUR LIVES) and you will understand the “tumbleweed story”. I am told at the memorial service for Francis both Susan Seaforth Hayes and Francis’ niece April Rocha retold the story. I was not at the service but was honored to have been an “oral” part of the day.....

April Rocha was kind enough to send a family Christmas photo showing the decorated tumbleweed in the right of the picture. This was the second year Francis used the tumbleweed as her Christmas Tree!!! Also check out this amazing video below created by Francis’ family. She is terribly missed!!!!!

Click the above Christmas Picture to see the Youtube video:

New TRIPPING THE PLANET

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:17:01 -0700

Click the “Viceroy logo” to read my new travel article for LIVE Magazine!!!

Check out a great movie “The Square”

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:26:02 -0700

Today I moderated a film discussion with Australian director Nash Edgerton at the Cinemas Palme D’Or in Rancho Mirage. The theatre was screening his new independent film “The Square”. It has received rave reviews including the New York Times. Check it out at www.squarethemovie.com . It is so full of twists and red herrings that I could not figure out the ending...it was a total surprise. What a smart suspenseful movie!

Below is a synopsis....

A stylish, twist-filled film noir, THE SQUARE centers on an adulterous couple whose scheming leads to arson, blackmail and murder. THE SQUARE is the first feature from Australian stuntman-turned-director Nash Edgerton and his brother Joel who co-wrote and stars in the film.

Escaping the monotony of a loveless marriage, Raymond Yale becomes entangled in an affair with the beautiful and troubled Carla. Ray’s moral limits are tested when Carla presents him with the proceeds of her controlling husband’s latest crime. This is their chance: Take the money and run... If only it were that simple.

The seed is planted and Ray, fearing he will lose his love, engineers the plan. Hiring the professional arsonist Billy becomes a fatal error, and the plan goes horribly wrong. Alarm bells sound and suspicions are raised but, miraculously, the dust looks to settle. After all... Nobody knows.

Then the first blackmail note arrives.

The couple’s nerves are tested as both Carla’s husband and the mystery author threaten to throw open their secret… With the blackmailer’s deadline approaching, they are going to find out just how far they are willing to go for love.

“Tripping the Planet” for LIVE Magazine

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:55:51 -0700

I love to travel! So for fun I am now writing my own travel column called TRIPPING THE PLANET for a bi-monthly oversized GLBT magazine called LIVE Palm Springs.

If you have a great story, an unusual vacation property, an unbelievable bargain or a special trip you want me to write about please send me an email at TrippingThePlanet@me.com If you would like to advertise or sponsor TRIPPING THE PLANET please contact me.

P.S. I am always available for a FAM trip (travel industry for FREE trip) lol

Please check out my latest article on PAGE 7 in the current online issue of LIVE Magazine Palm Springs: http://tinyurl.com/yepazov

Below are a few back articles.... Click “Read More” below to see the articles.

...and yes, the above picture is me at about 3. My sister just found it in a box in the attic.

Today I lectured to 700 kids!!!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:58:52 -0800

“Wesley Eure’s impact on the Earhart community was amazing. From students to staff Mr. Eure had the audience involved and excited. His interactive approach provided a positive learning environment for all children. as a principal I would recommend him highly to any school.”

Brad Fisher
Principal
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies

“Both teachers and students truly enjoyed Wesley Eures' energetic enthusiasm and love for story telling. He involved students in the story telling process right on the spot by creating a group story with the audience. The excitement and creative spirit followed students back into their classrooms where they continued by drawing pictures, re-writing their story or by creating their own new stories. My first graders were busy creating the rest of the afternoon! Thank you Wesley for finding the time to share your knowledge and love of story telling with our budding authors.”

Lora Lee Stolzoff
1st grade teacher
Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies

I had the great honor and experience to present my lecture, Anyone Can Write A Book, for a group of about 700 elementary students from K to 5! The kids were amazing and came up with a great book! One class came up with the story of a lion and a Vampire while the other creative group created the story of a rabbit who wanted to go to the moon. When I asked them to create a riddle for the hero to answer, they wrote, “How much does the moon weigh?” The best part was the answer they created..... “Zero. There is no gravity on the moon!” Brilliant!!!

It was a joy to spend the day with this amazing group of talented kids! I attended their Arts Festival that night and got to meet many of the parents. The school sold a bunch of my books to raise money for the art fund!

I owe a big thanks to teacher and friend Lora Lee Stolzoff for her efforts to get me to the school. And the incredible support of Principal Brad Fisher. It is a day I will remember always!!!!

For more information on ANYONE CAN WRITE A BOOK check out:
http://www.wesleyeure.info/Wesley_Eure/LECTURE_FOR_KIDS.html

“SNAPSHOTS - A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK” gets Rave Review!!!!

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:48:15 -0800

http://newsok.com/snapshots-captures-power-of-memories/article/3437355

‘Snapshots’ captures power of memories
 Lyric at the PlazaMusical’s state premiere resonates

Published: February 6, 2010

"Snapshots” offers a powerful reminder of Stephen Schwartz’s remarkable gifts as composer and lyricist, but more importantly, it’s the rare musical that asks as many questions as it answers. I’m betting the one that resonates most strongly is "How did I get here? Is there an answer in these snapshots?”
— Rick Rogers

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but photographs seem to convey so much more. In addition to capturing a moment in time, they hold myriad memories for those whose images are pictured within. They also have the power to rekindle powerful emotions years, even decades, after they were taken.

That’s the idea behind Stephen Schwartz’s "Snapshots,” a new musical receiving its Oklahoma premiere as part of Lyric Theatre’s Lyric at the Plaza series. A cast of six portrays Dan and Sue at three stages in their lives: as childhood friends, as newlyweds and as a couple whose 30-year marriage is falling apart.

When a box of old photographs tumbles from a dusty attic shelf, Dan and Sue are flooded with memories of their many years together. As they reflect on their past, they recall happier times they spent together, a few missed opportunities and some of the inevitable challenges every couple faces.

In many ways, "Snapshots” marks Schwartz’s return to smaller, more intimate shows. It shares similarities with Dan Goggin’s "Balancing Act,” a chamber musical with a main character whose conflicting personalities are played by five actors. "Snapshots” also recalls "I Do! I Do!,” Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s chronicle about a couple whose 50-year marriage has survived marital bliss, infidelity, children and incompatibility.

For "Snapshots,” Schwartz has repurposed more than two dozen songs from his earlier musicals, most notably, "Godspell,” "Pippin,” "The Magic Show,” "The Baker’s Wife,” "Children of Eden” and "Wicked.” Together with Michael Scheman, David Stern and Richard Maltby, Schwartz manages to assess a scene’s emotional level and match it with an appropriate song.

Lyric rewrites have made many of Schwartz’s retrofitted songs more suitable for their new settings, but too often I found myself imagining them in their original contexts. For any musical theater enthusiast, "Day by Day” is inextricable from "Godspell,” just as "Popular” will always be associated with "Wicked.” Those unfamiliar with Schwartz’s musical canon should not even notice.
Stern has crafted a book whose well-drawn characters and realistic situations offer something every audience member can identify with. Who doesn’t remember a first crush, an awkward first kiss, rites of passage and missed opportunities? Such issues make for interesting, if not always compelling, theater.

The authors have opted to ignore conventional uses of time and space, a ploy that results in the past intruding on the present and vice versa: a character’s older self giving advice to his more youthful counterpart, and a young girl questioning the woman she fears she’ll become.

One couldn’t ask for a more accomplished cast. Jay Montgomery and Stefanie Morse play Dan and Sue in the present, Michael Marcotte and Kristy Cates portray the characters as newlyweds, and Brian Crum and Sarah Shahinian depict the couple as childhood friends and schoolmates. Each is vocally solid and conveys many fine nuances of character.

As Dan comments when he looks through the box of old photos, "our whole lives are here.” These are images that preserve lives richly lived, with a unique mix of happiness and despair, youthful passions and wise pronouncements, optimism and regret.

"Snapshots” offers a powerful reminder of Stephen Schwartz’s remarkable gifts as composer and lyricist, but more importantly, it’s the rare musical that asks as many questions as it answers. I’m betting the one that resonates most strongly is "How did I get here? Is there an answer in these snapshots?”
— Rick Rogers

Francis Reid (Days Of Our Lives) died.....

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:51:11 -0800

Francis Reid, who played Alice Horton on DOOL (my grandmother), died yesterday at the age of 95. Francis originated her role starting in 1965. She was an amazing actress and a friend while I passed through my twenties!!

One christmas she was having a big party and asked if I would come over early to help her get ready at her home in Brentwood, Ca. I asked her if she was having a Christmas tree and she bristled! She said she refused to have anything Germanic in her home...I believe she was still reeling from memories of World War 11. I thought she was kidding and told her she couldn’t have a Christmas party without a tree so I would bring one. It was one of the only times I saw her a bit angry. She said absolutely not!!!

But on the way to her house that day, I was driving my truck on Mullholland Drive and a huge tumbleweed rolled across the road. I mischievously thought to myself, “Here is Francis’ Christmas tree!!!”

I got out of the truck and tied the tumbleweed into the bed of the truck. It was so huge and “aerodynamic” that it caused the truck to sway from side to side as I drove it. It was pretty scary! Who knew a tumbleweed could capture enough wind to move a small truck?! My truck was really weaving from side to side on the steep winding road.

Just before I got to Francis’ house, I stopped at store in Beverly Hills and bought two large strings of white lights and some red bows and a few ornaments.

I arrived at her house three hours before the party was to start. I announced I had her “Christmas Tree”! She was furious saying, “I told you I would not never have one in my home!” Then I hauled the enormous tumble weed out of my truck and on to her patio. She scoffed and wanted to know what I intended to do with that ugly giant weed. When I told her it was her “tree” she said you better not bring that thing in my house and stormed inside.

So while she was busy working in the house I began stringing lights on the tumbleweed in her patio. When I plugged in the lights, it sparkled and looked amazing. Francis passed by and saw it and just stared at it! In a gruff voice she said, “Bring it in the living room.” I grinned ear to ear and after struggling to get it past her front door, I hauled the prickly weed next to her fire place and, without a word exchanged, she began to help me decorate it. The only sound heard in her beautiful home was my giggling!!

When we finished decorating it, she stepped back and I plugged the light back in. Prodding her a bit, I said, “You really like it don’t you?” She only huffed, but then a smile crossed he face. In a loving voice I knew so well from my compassionate TV grandmother, she said, “Now, help me with the food.” She quickly turned and disappeared into the kitchen. I just roared with laughter.

Francis kept that tumbleweed Christmas tree up well past Easter and for the next few Christmas’ that “nasty old tumbleweed” reappeared by her fireplace sporting more and more decorations!

On Days Of Our Lives Francis and I, each year, shared the “on air” tradition of hanging the “Horton balls” on the Christmas show, but in real life we shred our on silly little secret holiday tradition...

Francis’ passing is a great loss not only to her TV fans and family, but especially to a young actor who had the privilege to call her “Grandma” for 9 years!!

I finally talked with Spencer!!

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:04:03 -0800

After thirty five years I finally talked to Spencer on the phone. It was great! Kathy kept calling me on my cell so I put her on speaker phone and since Spencer was on my home phone, I put him on speaker phone too and we had a three way conversation. It truly felt like a family reunion. We laughed and shared stories. I told Kathy that, “Dad bought me a car!” She pretended to be upset that “Dad” hadn’t bought her one. It just felt so right. Ah, the circle of life!!!!

SNAPSHOTS opens at the Lyric Theatre Feb. 4th - 14th

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:41:35 -0800

Snapshots - A Musical Scrapbook
Home » Plaza Theatre

February 4th - 14th, 2010 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays: 7:30pm Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00pm Saturday Matinee: 2:00pm Sunday Matinee: 3:00pm

FOR TICKETS: http://www.lyrictheatreokc.com/node/205

I am so excited about the opening of the workshop production of Stephen Schwartz’s (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) new musical SNAPSHOTS which I am co-producing at the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City starting Feb. 4th.

Tony Award winning director, Richard Maltby, Jr. (Starting Here, Starting Now, Ain’t Misbehavin, Miss Saigon, Fosse) has taken the directing reins of this production.

Below is from the Lyric Theatre’s website:

You’ll be one of the first in the country to see Snapshots, a brand new musical with a brand new concept from celebrated composer & lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Along with book writer David Stern, Mr. Schwartz has woven together treasured songs from his musicals past to tell the enchanting story of a couple who have fallen out of love. But when they come across photographs that stir up joyous memories of the past, their many years together come alive in front of them. You’ll recognize favorites from Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and Rags among many more musical gems, all with Schwartz’s own revised lyrics that beautifully tell this heartwarming, romantic story.

Hope you can see it!!!

My book hand delivered to the White House!

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:51:29 -0800

What a thrilling day it was!! Today my great friend, Phantom of the Opera star, Byron Nease (www.ByronNease.com) sang at a private Christmas Party at the White House for the Obama Family. In attendance were the Clintons, Joe Biden and his wife, Nancy Pelosi, dignitaries, staff, family and friends. Byron said the holiday decorations were spectacular and the Obamas could not have been more gracious. They even asked him to call them Barack and Michelle. What a First Family!

Byron took two copies of THE RED WINGS OF CHRISTMAS I autographed for both Melia and Sasha!

I also sent along my personal DVD set of the Land Of The Lost packaged in the reproduction of the old lunch box as a gift for the girls. I’m told the lunch box is still going through security!!

Byron even did a little sing-a-long with the Obama girls. After the party Sasha and Melia invited Byron to see their bedroom while Bo (the “first” dog) tagged along! What great kids! Priceless!!

If you want a copy of The Red Wings Of Christmas please check out my Online Store or go to Amazon.com. All the proceeds of the autographed copies go to charity!

On a very sad note, today Roy Disney died. When Disney Studios optioned The Red Wings Of Christmas for an animated movie, Roy said to me, “Wesley, your book is the most spiritual book I have ever read.” What a profound compliment!!

Happy Holidays!!!

You Asked.....

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:54:29 -0700

Many of you have emailed me about unpleasant rumors surrounding the “cut” scene Kathy and I shot for the Land Of The Lost movie. So here is my story.....

I must tell you that the whole movie experience with Universal and the Krofts have been a major disappointment.

As many of you know Kathy and I were to be a small part of the ending of the movie filmed at the La Brea Tar Pits. But the entire ending, we are told, did not work and was scraped. Our scene was cut in the first go round of edits. Universal ultimately reshot a new ending with Matt Lauer which I thought was one of the funniest scenes in the movie, so I am sure it was the right call for the movie’s sake.

Kathy and I were cast to play the parts of a man and a woman asking Will to validate our parking tickets. In the first version of the movie Will has been demoted to a valet car parker at the La Brea Tar Pits. This part of the story was also cut from the final movie version. In the scene we asked for parking “validation” from Will who then responded that he needed no validation because, in essence, he had found the Land Of The Lost. It was a very lame and, truth be told, insulting scene. But Kathy and I really wanted to be part of the movie that was based on a show that was a huge and wonderful part of our younger life. Our egos were bruised.

Marty Kroft offered to pay us Screen Actors “scale” for the one day shot. That is the cheapest, minimum legal payment allowed by the union for an actor to be paid. Marty Kroft told me to take it or leave it. He said that if I didn’t do the silly part he would go ahead and cast it with a “day player.” We were told we were not essential to the movie...ouch!!!!!

Marty promised if I would do the shoot “on the cheap” he would make sure when the movie was about to be released I would be booked on talk shows, travel junkets and in general, be part of the pre-publicity fun. Not once did Marty come through with any of his promises. In fact, he even uninvited Kathy to the premiere. Shocking!

Will, Anna, Brad (director), and the entire crew could not have been nicer.

Kathy ended up getting very sick throughout the night of shooting. 12 hours into the shoot when we were filming the final closeups she could barely stand and got violently ill. Kathy has had a very difficult life which she is now publicly talking about. It was so sad and frightening!. Anna pulled Kathy aside and begged her to finish the shoot saying that Kathy would regret it the rest of her life if she failed to finish the filming and ended up not being in the movie. Anna was great and Kathy did, barley, finish the shoot. It was a very unhappy ending to what started off as a fun night of celebration!

Land Of The Lost has been a part of my life for over 30 years and I have treasured every moment I spent filming the TV show , the friends I made and an association with a classic show that will forever be part of the fabric of my life.

But you cannot imagine how unkindly the cast of the TV show was treated during this entire movie fiasco. I have never said anything negative about my LOTL experience...never! But after the way we were treated or more correctly “not treated” at the premier, the TV Land Awards (read my earlier blogs) and the filming I have nothing to lose by telling the truth. It is so sad that the mistreatment by the Krofts and the powers that be would define this chapter of my LOTL journey. I was genuinely taken by surprise and hurt.

The cast wanted to be part of this movie...passionately. Hell, we had to practically beg to be “allowed” into the movie. I am told Phillip was promised a part in the movie but was never offered one. Finally, on the last day of shooting, he was invited to the set for a “visit.” It seems the film makers just wanted him there to shoot “behind the scenes” footage for the DVD. They didn’t want to miss a photo “op” of the old and new Chaka together. All for free.

The great news is the TV show reruns will continue. Those memories are wonderful and dear to me. Kathy has always felt like a sister to me and Phillip is a remarkable man and friend. I still have not been in contact with Spencer.

I am truly grateful to the Krofts for the privilege of being part of a show I hold in high esteem and wish them well on their next journey.

It is so odd writing something negative about LOTL. It is not in my nature. I have always been so protective of my real feelings and thought it my duty to “protect” the shows I worked on.

It has been an amazing year for me telling my truths and now I add another one to my list.

Tomorrow I host a fundraiser to provide free mammograms for women in need. Raising money for such a vital and life threatening cause really puts this silly, disappointing episode in prospective. I really have nothing to complain about in the big picture!!!!

But.... thanks for letting me vent anyway!!!

Wesley

LOTL DVD Released

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:19:05 -0700

Well the DVD is finally released!!!! What do you think?

I know many of you decided to wait till the DVD came out to see this movie.

You probably heard that several top executives at Universal Studios lost their jobs over this film. It is considered a huge flop because it lost so much money!!! Many of you were terribly disappointed...I have to agree!

But there are some brilliant “Ferrell” moments!!

Please share your thoughts....I would love to hear what you think.

Thanks!

Wesley

My fan club president Cher Marie passed away...

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:04:22 -0700

With great sorrow, I learned the other day about the passing of Cher Marie. She was a wonderful part of my life many years ago and her passing is a great loss! This day has brought up so many memories. Cher Marie was the president of my fan club when I was on Days Of Our Lives.

In 1976, for our country’s 200th birthday celebration, Cher Marie surprised me with an amazing red, white and blue satin revolutionary patriotic outfit she had designed and sewed for me. Not wanting it to go unworn, I rented a white horse, donned the outfit and trotted to a private bicentennial party hosted by Fannie Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes), Susan Flannery (DOOL and The Bold And The Beautiful), and Fred De Cordova (producer of the The Tonight Show)! I galloped through the circular driveway of Fanny’s house in Montecito, unannounced, swinging a copper lantern. In front of the leaded glass front door I screamed, “The British are coming! The British are coming!!!” I could see the terrified faces of the party guests pressed against the living room window, afraid to come outside. Finally a shocked Fanny, who was in the kitchen, ran out of her house wearing a red, white and blue styrofoam straw hat and started laughing so hard she fell to her knees on the driveway and pounded the asphalt with her fists.

Cher Marie’s memory is part of the fabric of my life. And I will always be grateful for her joy, her talent, her friendship and her love.....
I will miss her...
I extend my love and sadness to her family and friends!

Emceeing Desert Women For Equality

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:10:23 -0700

I am thrilled to have been asked to emcee Desert Women For Equality’s 3rd Anniversary Party in October. It is my favorite charity and I have been fortunate to have been able to help raise a lot of money with LalaPOOLooza to help provide free mammograms for any woman, any age, any means!!
I have been told that the money we raised has actually saved several women’s lives. It is rare that one raises money and knows of actual stories of profound success.
My friend and amazing singer Austin Ray is going to open the event. Also Diva Denise Carter, who rocked the house in my musical BITE ME! will be singing during the cocktail hour!
If you feel like donating to an amazing organization please check out the website below. It cost $90 for each Mammogram.
Please check out their website at: http://www.desertwomenforequality.com/index.html

Tax Deductible Donations
Send your checks to: Desert Women for Equality 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 209 Palm Springs, CA 92264. Every dollar counts!
Make a donation using paypal

 
Membership Questions? Want to Join Our Committee? Contact Us!

Off to NYC to work with Stephen Schwartz on SNAPSHOTS

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:08:30 -0700

I am leaving for New York for a week to work on the amazing new musical I am co-producing called SNAPSHOTS , music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED, GODSPELL, PIPPIN. THE BAKER’S WIFE) and book by David Stern. I will be in a rehearsal hall for three days with a cast of six, a musical director, composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, writer David Stern, orchestrator Steve Orich (JERSEY BOYS) and director Richard Maltby (AIN’T MISBEHAVING).

Please check out: SNAPSHOTS: A MUSICAL SCRAPBOOK

We are scheduled to open a workshop production at the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City at the end of January so the creative team is getting together to “tweak” the show. This is a very exciting process of fine tuning SNAPSHOTS. I love Broadway so this private workshop will be a fantasy come true!

Online Store NOW OPEN

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 01:45:10 -0700

Many of you asked, so my friend Carol has set up an Online Store. I have never done something like this before so I hope it works smoothly! If you have any problems please let me know ASAP!

If you are interested, please check out the store at: Online Store. All proceeds will be donated to charity.

Thanks

Wesley

BlogTalkRadio “On Demand”

Sat, 1 Aug 2009 22:16:10 -0700

I did an hour and a half interview today with Carey Fisher on his internet talk show called Super 70’s Flashback on BlogTalkRadio. I have had a lot of requests to post a link....so....

Click below link and look for “On Demand Episodes.”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Super70sFlashback

I hope you find it interesting....

Wesley

P.S. Thanks Carey for having me on your show!

LIVE “call in” interview Saturday August 1

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:27:42 -0700

Hey all,

I will be doing a live interview with Carey Lee Fisher on BlogTalkRadio this Saturday, August 1st starting at 8 p.m. EST or 5 p.m. PST. The show is called SUPER 70’S FLASHBACK. I will be on for over an hour...that is if Carey doesn’t get too bored with me!! lol

Call-in Number: (646) 716-5418

Check out: BlogTalkRadio

Watch the promo at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxqBgY7CDJs

I hope you will call in! I would love to hear from you!

Thanks

Wesley

Books On Tape

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:19:00 -0700

In the early 90’s I released The Red Wings Of Christmas on audio tape. I narrated a very abridged version of the book on two double audio cassette tapes...yes cassette tapes. Wow, now this is a real modern day dinosaur! Even CD’s are on their way out!
 I recorded the 3 1/2 plus hours of narration at the CBS studios in New Orleans over a three day period. I went to Louisiana because my publisher, Pelican Publishing, is located in Gretna near by. It was a blast doing it but a real challenge to edit the book so the audio would fit in the alloted time. I am amazed the cassette is still available on Amazon.com. I love the internet!!

My friend Austin and I converted the cassettes to digital this weekend so I could play it for a friend on his iPod . I wanted to post just a short 3 minutes of the opening.

Click below to hear a bit. I hope you like it.....

Embarrassing night at Liza Minnelli’s concert!!!

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 23:21:32 -0700

Tonight was a wild and embarrassing night! I was a tag-along guest to see Liza Minnelli’s concert at the Morongo Casino Resort. I was invited to join legendary comedienne and singer Kaye Ballard and 6 guests (including movie reviewer and friend Bill Harris). But I was not sitting with the group my friend Clark assembled because I was a last minute add on. But my friend Gregg, who was part of Kaye’s party, gave me an extra single ticket he had purchase earlier just in case the house seats were not available tonight. He is a huge Liza fan and was not going to miss her concert. Unfortunately, I was going to be sitting way off to the right of center stage and not with Kaye. Not the best seat!

When we all arrived at the casino we discovered, much to our surprise and delight, that Liza’s team had generously given free tickets to our group tonight because, of course, Kaye was coming. They were the best house seats! We were also on the list to go backstage at the end of Liza’s show. But at the very last minute tonight Kaye had to cancel.

I was given her seat... 4th row center...seat #7. I was thrilled. Mind you, I missed Kaye, but “Oh, what a seat!”

The decision was made by the group not to send a note backstage to tell Liza that Kaye could not come. We didn’t want it to look like we had tried to finagle $1000 worth of free tickets using Kaye’s name. Which of course was not the case.

Liza was fantastic tonight!!! Really amazing!

But toward the end of the show she introduced her brother Joey in the audience. The house lights brightened and Joey stood up and received a rousing ovation.

Then the horrible moment happened...

Liza said, “You know the Kander and Ebb song Maybe This Time I sang earlier? Well it was originally written for my dear friend Kaye Ballard. And tonight Kaye is in the audience. Where’s Kaye?!!”

The audience went crazy! Everyone was trying to see where Kaye was sitting! Many stood and gave the “no-show” Kaye a standing ovation. Liza, I am sure, knew where Kaye was “suppose” to be sitting. My embarrassed group sank into their chairs. As Liza stared my way I stood up and turned my back to her and pretended I too was looking for Kaye. I was mortified!!

Due to poor eyesight or to save face, Liza pretended she saw Kaye and mumbled something like, “Thanks for coming Darling.” The house lights dimmed and I sat in my seat. Our entire party was horrified and we felt awful! It truly was a shame Kaye had to cancelled at the last minute... but I did get the best seat in the house!

As we were leaving the showroom we heard the lady in charge of backstage security call for Miss Kaye Ballard to go come to Liza’s dressing room..

Needless to say we did not go backstage!!!

Kaye truly missed out on a great night. I believe last night was the first time Liza had publicly credited Kaye with the song Maybe This Time. I really regret missing the reunion of Liza and Kaye! It would have been amazing....

On a side note, a dear friend of mine and his wife had been staying at Morongo a few weeks ago and saw that all of the in-house ads for Liza had misspelled her name....”Lisa”. They were there for two days and it was really bothering them especially since they are both in the entertainment business. On their last day, as they were checking out they asked at the front desk if the casino had a promotions department. A surly woman asked “why?” When they informed her the casino had misspelled Liza the woman immediately Googled Liza Minnelli and said, “It shows up as either Liza or Lisa. Both spellings are acceptable!”

My friends were appalled! Can you imagine Liza showing up tonight with her name misspelled? Trust me, tonight all spelling mistakes had been corrected!

A heartfelt lunch with Cory

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:38:00 -0700

Today I had a wonderful three and a half hour lunch with a remarkable woman! Cory is a third grade teacher who has been teaching for 20 years. After watching an old episode of Land Of The Lost she found my website and discovered my coming out article at AfterElton.com and felt compelled to contact me. As a straight woman she had been touched by the article and was profoundly saddened by my experience. She had begun to research the history of gay bigotry and her eyes were opening to her new discoveries. She told me that she would not accept homophobia again!

She traveled to Palm Springs today and we met. It was a wonderful lunch where two strangers met, connected and parted all the better for the heartfelt experience. It is amazing how two people from different religious, cultural and social backgrounds can so connect. We had deep conversations about gays and religion, tolerance on all levels and the burden of keeping secrets! Everyone has a secret!!! We all have something we want to hide. This is a shared human experience for all of us!

A few weeks ago Cory bought a copy of my book The Red Wings Of Christmas and read it to her third grade class at the end of this school year. She said the students were captivated. Her students sent me wonderful illustrations they drew of the characters in the book. They are terrific!! I have posted a few below...

At the end of reading my book she asked the kids what they had learned. I would like to share what they wrote (with Cory’s permission of course). I was really touched.

THE RED WINGS OF CHRISTMAS

We learned many things from THE RED WINGS OF CHRISTMAS. If you let anger control you, you will never find love of joy! Beauty on the outside does not matter; Beauty on the inside does matter. Stealing causes sadness. To find joy, happiness and love you must look on the inside. If someone does something bad to you it is not okay to be mean back. Be careful not to stay angry a long time. Do not be hurtful to people. It is better to not speak at all than to speak a lot and be mean. These are the lessons we learned form Wesley Eure’s book.

Third Grade Class of 2009

Cory also has contacted Barnes and Noble and her local library to do a Storytime featuring my book A FISH OUT OF WATER. She is using it as a book to teach love and friendship. It is the story of a bird and a fish that fall in love and make it work despite their families objections!

My thanks and gratitude to Cory and her amazing students!!!

Horror Film Interviews!!

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:42:35 -0700

Hey all,

I just got back from a cruise to Mexico. We had a blast!! The ship is in the far left top of the picture. It was a pure pleasure trip with my family!!

I did two interviews for horror film websites this past week! It is so fun to find out TOOL BOX MURDERS and JENNIFER have become cult classics. Who knew????

I remember mega writer Steven King was asked to recommend his favorite top 10 movie rentals to watch on Halloween night and TOOL BOX MURDERS was on his list. Siskel and Ebert used the movie as an example of the “worst” of the genre. They gave it “two thumbs down”! I love that! But it was the drive-in box office hit of 1979. Remember Drive-Ins??? For more information and stories click posters below. The interviews should be posted online soon.

I was going to attend the autograph convention in Chicago this August but the toy maker who was sponsoring had to pull out. It was going to be the first time I would have seen Spencer Milligan (Marshal) since the final show of the second season of Land Of The Lost!!! I was looking forward to spending some time with him!!

I have been getting lots of inquiries lately about mounting a new production of BITE ME! It is a really outrageous and fun show. If you are interested click the ad below!

We are closing a deal to bring the amazing new Stephen Schwartz musical SNAPSHOTS to the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City this next January! Look for the ads soon!

Also Meredith College who illustrated A FISH OUT OF WATER finished illustrating a new kid’s book I wrote called THE WHALE THAT ATE THE STORM. We are looking for possibly a new publisher. If you have any connections please let us know. Thanks!

More later...

Wesley

Where in the world is LOTL?

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:21:39 -0700

Where have you seen clips of the old TV show? I have had so many of you email me telling me you have seen different news and talk shows showing clips of the old series...from HBO to ET!!!!!

Kathy, Philip and I are trying to get a list together of where they have been shown!

If you saw the clips on a show could you please let us know!!

Thanks everyone!

Wesley, Kathy and Philip

P.S. Yes, you got it right, it’s for residuals!

Well, the movie tanked!!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:30:24 -0700

The numbers tell the story. Land of The Lost only grossed about 19 million dollars in it’s opening weekend. For a 200 million dollar movie that is a huge flop! I think they have now made around 50 million so they are creeping upward. But after the opening weekend there were no more ads. Subway shut down its’ promotions. My local theatre has LOTL only playing twice a day.

But of course there are 44 other countries left to open in and DVDs and Pay Per View. I know the Kroffts’ are really devastated especially Marty. They have also been working on getting others of their TV shows to the big screen. Like Pufnstuf with Johnny Depp playing Witchiepoo...now that would be amazing!!!

I know many of you have said you did not go to the movie and are waiting for Pay For View.

I don’t think I’ve never seen such a huge movie disappear so fast!! Even Ishtar with Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman.

I really thought the movie missed the target! It had no heart or drama. I am a huge fan of a great sci-fi thriller but this was just “stupid”. There was no story and as Shakespeare said, “The story’s the thing.” The movies “UP” and HANGOVER” wiped LOTL off the money chart.

I really like Will Ferrell but I was squirming in my seat during the premiere. I was embarrassed by Chaka’s sexual attraction to Holly and when Marshal kissed Holly I could hear the collective gasps of millions of long time fans !!!

I must say I did laugh out loud several time during the movie. There are some great moments and Will can make me laugh at times. If you have seen the movie, the “crab scene” had me doubling up in laughter.

Of course I was disappointed Kathy and I had been cut out. There is a scene where an ice cream truck lands in the LOTL. After the movie at least 10 people came up to me and said, “Why wasn’t that you in the truck?” I thought the same thing when I was watching it.

What did you think of the movie? I would love to hear!

Wesley

Fun new cover of LIVE Magazine

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:09:08 -0700

I was really surprised that my great friends Juli Ragsdale and Levvy Carriker, editors and owners of LIVE Palm Springs, honored me with the cover of their magazine LIVE which came out today. Check out the entire article on pages 26 and 27 at: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A18qod/Issue55Vol3June12200/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fyudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F63270%2FIssue-55-Vol-3--June-12--2009

Click “read more” below to see the cover!

Also The National Enquire article is on the stands....what a week!!!