My Blog

“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!!!

What a coming out week!

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:17:37 -0700

Needless to say this week has been an extraordinary roller coaster ride!! After doing the AfterElton.com article I have received hundreds of emails from every segment of our society!

I am truly grateful for the amazing support and kindnesses many of you have shown. Especially the straight community for your amazing love and anger at the old ways of discrimination!

I have celebrated and wept over the “coming out” stories of some remarkable men and women from teens to senior citizens! I have been honored by the candor and openness many of you have revealed.

But I wanted to share with you an email that left me howling with laughter!! I post this anonymously and hope the sender doesn’t mind....

Hello Wesley,
For years have been a huge fan of yours. My brother and I would spend every Saturday morning watching you on Land of the Lost, great memories. In fact, when I came out to my brother (now nearly a decade ago) he told me he had known that I was gay since my mom taught us to wish up on the first star in the night sky. He wished for three new bikes, and I said as he likes to quote: I wish I could be Will's wife! (of course, the WILL I spoke of was you. LOL) and I was 7!!!!!

I emailed back...”Dear wife...”!

I have received emails from families dealing with a brother or sister coming out. A 17 year old emailed me yesterday to thank me for the courage to tell the truth. One great guy is 37 and I was the first person whom he’s told he is gay. I sent him a link to GLBT National Help Center to help him begin a dialogue! He emailed me back to tell me he has now begun his journey of self discovery!

Plus, a man in his 60’s is going to visit his elderly parents this weekend and tell them the truth about his sexuality he suspects they have always known!

Today I attended a rally to fight the California budget cuts that fund AIDS education and services, including the elimination of ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) which will mean the deaths of many! I was able to hold my partner’s hand with pride.

But some of the most powerful emails have been from the straight community saying, “Get over it! It “ain’t” no big deal anymore!”

More later...

Wesley

P.S. Even the National Enquire is doing a story this week on my coming out! It is still a very odd and sometimes uncomfortable feeling having revealed so much of my personal life!

P.S.S. Okay, enough preaching!! I just wanted to share my eventful week with you........

Yes, I’m gay!

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 11:35:35 -0700

After many years of public silence I finally decided to tell my story of being gay. It was one of the most difficult and emotional decisions I have ever made. I spent a career of denying and lying! This past week I gave my first interview on my “real” personal life to AfterElton.com.

At midnight New York time my partner called to say the article had been posted. I went outside, sat on a lounge chair, and sat “catatonic” for many minutes. It has been a painful and long struggle to balance living my life openly and still having a career. I am told I was fired from two major jobs due to my sexuality. I can’t imagine the lost opportunities that faded away because producers and various entertainment leaders had knowledge of my “secret”! It has been a painful burden and has caused me much sadness and grief in my life. I was even blackmailed once!

Even posting this blog has caused me much angst!!! I have been so frightened to face the judgement I know some of you might feel. It is not easy letting go of an old way of life and deception!!

But quite the opposite has happened in the past 36 hours! I have been bombarded with such love and support from both the straight and gay communities. The emails you have sent are remarkable and greatly appreciated!! Thank you all for your amazing kindness!!! Thank goodness the world is evolving! I thank all the gay men and women who opened doors for me. The pioneers who were brave enough to stand up and out well before I was ready!

Please make no mistake, I have had and do have a wonderful life.

I have been asked why now? Why tell your story this week?!!

Below is an email I sent to the Michael Jensen, the editor of AfterElton.com, on the eve of the article being released. I hope this answers that question. And Michael thank you for the opportunity to speak out on your website and even share this email....

“I was just talking to my partner Richard about why I decided to do this interview and why now.

The last few days have been to put it mildly filled with intense angst knowing this interview was coming out. After I did the interview I called Richard and said, "Well, your boyfriend is gay!"

Preserving a lie takes a great deal of energy. The lie actually became part of my identity...good or bad. My sister called today to ask how the interview went and was so pleased I had told the truth. For she too has had to perpetuate the lie for me all these years. We sometimes forget the cost to our family and friends of expecting and even demanding them to lie for us! My sister was so relieved that she is now free to celebrate openly who I am and acknowledge my wonderful partner who has become a brother to her.

I told Richard that today, the day before the article was released, was my last day to be heterosexual. His response was, "Damn, there goes my straight fantasy!!"

Since the Sci fi marathon last week I received so many amazing emails from gay men about their struggle for sexual identity. I realized all of my email responses were cryptic. Again I was lying by omission. I congratulated these guys on their journey but what I needed to say was I too had been struggling with my gay identity. I felt like a hypocrite sending these "watered down" emails. I was ashamed of myself...

But the real turning point came Saturday night at the Land Of The Lost premiere at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. I brought my best gal pal Deanne who for thirty five years has been my "beard". There are covers of magazines with us on it from the 1970's. The one picture she likes the best is the picture of us taken at After Dark Magazine’s party for Mae West (photo in my photo page). A few weeks before the premiere Deanne walked the red carpet with me at the TV Land Awards. Richard and another friend Roberta followed a few yards behind.

So there I was at the premiere of Land Of The Lost in front of the most famous movie house in the world. Two hundred photographers were yelling my name and clicking photos. It was surreal!

I pulled Deanne down the red carpet like a prop. As all of this frenzy was happening I looked to my right and there just off the red carpet was my partner smiling from ear to ear. He was so excited for me! Suddenly the "lie" became unbearable. I felt like a fool!! There was the man I loved standing on the sidelines when he should have been standing next to me. I was a hypocrite protecting an old way of thinking that had caused so much damage in my life.

Richard never felt left out that night. Nor at the TV Land Awards. He was just pleased to be there with me. But for me that moment was the nano second that I knew, unquestionably, the fiction had to stop!!! Never again!!

I cannot tell you how genuinely unnerved I am....

Wesley”

LOTL Premiere Last Night

Sun, 31 May 2009 10:55:45 -0700

Well it finally happened! Land Of The Lost is finally opening!!!!

Last night my friends Deanne, Bruce, Richard and I headed to the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. It was packed. I waited in line and showed my ID to get my tickets! No limo but a $6 self parking fee! How the mighty have fallen!!

I walked down the red carpet and it was surreal. To think our little Saturday morning show could generate so much buzz! The cost of the party after the show was probably the entire budget of our first season in 1973.

Philip Paley (Chaka) and his soon to be beautiful bride, Marla arrived shortly afterwards. They looked great!! I made sure the red carpet knew who he was. It’s hard to tell he was Chaka without his monkey suit! Philip was beaming as he worked the red carpet!!

Kathy Coleman was not invited!!! She has had a difficult life and the “powers that be” were afraid for her to show up... Kathy has faced a difficult life that many child stars have battled through. I was very disappointed she was not there. She should have been there! Her performance on LOTL was a main reason the show was a hit! It felt very empty without her...

I am told Kathy is about to reveal her story this week in the tabloids so I don’t want to jump the gun on her reveal. Because it is her story!!! And I love her dearly! I do feel like her brother.

Once she tells all I will be able to share with you the unbelievably difficult night of shooting on the set of LOTL. It was an unforgettable...or maybe it should be a forgettable... night!

I spoke with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride on the red carpet along with the Kroffts who had been doing interviews non stop all day long. Sid was famished!

Sid Krofft told me later that the question that kept coming up was why the new movie did not feature the Marshall family. He said that Kathy, spencer and I had created such a believable family that it was hard for the fans to see LOTL without us. It was very flattering..but I am not sure it makes total sense. But loved hearing it anyway.

There have been development deals on making the LOTL movie for many years. Disney had it for a long time. Some mucho bucks and scripts later...attaching will Ferrel was the magic “get it done” key!!!

The free popcorn and sodas were a bonus as the lights went down....

The movie opens with a very funny scene with Will and Matt Lauer...you have seen bits in the trailers.

I hate reading a review before I see a movie!! I have had three famous movie reviewers as friends in my life and I never once read their reviews before I saw a movie...I am a purest. I like to take the “ride” of the movie without any preconceptions. So what I am suggesting is that I give a few broad strokes but no details until the film opens. Then hopefully we can all share our reviews together....a bit of a cop out?...yeah, probably!!

If you are a Will Ferrell fan you will eat this film up! The movie is all comedy. It was great fun watching us be spoofed!!! Will is a master.

If you are looking for the serious sci-fi drama of the Marshal family you will have to watch the old series. The effects are wonderful and there are huge laughs. Chaka and Danny steal the movie for me. But as Danny McBride said to me after the show, “The character of Will was the best part!” Flattering and fun!! He is very kind and was very generous in his praise with me. For that I am truly grateful! At the party he told me had been answering a lot of questions about me the last few days. He graciously said, “I am certainly not the teen idol as you were!” My favorite part of the evening was spending a few minutes with Danny.

Grumpy is remarkable!!! Not your 1970’s special effects!! It has come a long way from a hand puppet! If you are a fan of the TV show you will love the references o the series. The Sleestak remained true to the old show as you have seen in the Subway commercial. Love their new teeth!

The entire ending at the La Brea tar pits was cut (including my cameo) and a new scene was shot. All very funny!!

Enough said about the movie until you all get a chance to see it and share your thoughts.

The party afterwards was great!! They decorated the huge ballroom above the Kodak Theatre with props from the move. The food was provided by Subway and there was also salmon, roast beef, cobb salads, mac and cheese, guacamole, an open bar, ice cream and all the fixings toped off the amazing spread. A pig out delight!

As I walked in I ran into Bruce Villance who was waiting for Brook Shields at the top of the stairs.

I got to tell you, it felt odd to be there. I was part of the past but not really a player in this party. Kathy and my scene had been cut out of the movie and there was no credit. Marty Krofft told me we were still in the movie credits a few days ago but on the final version we had been removed.

I ran into some old friends and meet some great people. I had not planned on going to the premiere last night for a bunch of reasons...both emotional and physical... but Philip talked me into it. I am glad I did!!

Philip and Marla just called and we reminisced about last night. I love those two! They are getting married in a few weeks at a small ceremony on the beach in Malibu.

So go see the movie and let everyone know what you thought on this blog....I will be very interested.

More later....

Check out more premiere photos on AP’s website at: http://www.apimages.com/Search.aspx?st=det&sort=date&id=Premiere%20Land%20of%20the%20Lost%20LA&showact=events&prds=10002&intv=3d&sh=1010&kwstyle=and&adte=1243782600&pagez=20&

Marla, Philip, and me!

Bruce Vilance, Will Ferrell and Me. Yes he is tall....okay, I am short!

Me with Marty Krofft.

Danny McBride

Sid Krofft

Brook Shields

Deanne Anders and me in front of the raft from the movie. (these are her photos)

Giant eggs and other movie decoration as table decoration

Land Of The Lost premiere tomorrow

Fri, 29 May 2009 19:24:47 -0700

Well tomorrow is the big day. I am driving in to Hollywood to see the premiere of the movie at the Chinese Theatre at 5 p.m.

Thanks for all the emails. I know many of you are upset about Universal and the Kroffts not following the drama of the Marshal family. As you all know by now it is a comedy and Marshal, Will and Holly are not father, daughter, son. Far from it!!!!!!!!

It should be fun and a bit sad to see what they have created!

I must say the cast was extremely nice to all of us. Will Ferrell was a huge fan of the show. It will be strange watching him sing the theme song. That said, I am excited about seeing it!!

I understand there is going to be another marathon June 6th of the old series. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories with me this week! I was honored to be part of a show that touched so many of our lives.

One of the most fun things that I found out this week was how many of your children loved watching the marathon this week. It still holds up. Okay...maybe not the effects but the stories! It did have a heart!!!

The above picture is the cover of the invitation to the premiere I was sent. They told me to bring my photo ID to pick up my tickets at the Chinese Theatre. Talk about an ego deflator!! I told them...”It sure makes me feel like a star needing to show my ID!!! Time passes...................

The last time I was at a premiere at the Chinese Theatre was the opening night of Grease in the seventies. It was quite a night. No one could have guessed the amazing success of that movie. I hope LOTL holds up to the hype!!

Wesley

Over 10,000 hits today!!!

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:42:09 -0700

At 9 a.m. Monday morning I decided to put a counter on my website....It is now 1 a.m. Tuesday morning and over 10,ooo people have visited this website in 16 hours. Thank you all for stopping by!!

I am exhausted! I sat around today and watched the entire marathon...I know...I know...get a life!!! I didn’t plan on watching the marathon but then some friends came over and we sat and laughed and reminisced. I also was thrilled to get so many emails today. I tried to answer as many as I could and hope to answer the rest in the next few days.

It is amazing how this show touched so many of our lives. I felt I was the luckiest kid in the world to have been able to run through the jungles of LOTL. It was a kid’s dream!!!

I was shooting Days Of Our Lives in the morning and LOTL in the afternoon for three years!

This is the first time since the show originally aired that I have watched it. Even when the VHS’s and DVD’s came out I did not watch them. I talked with both Kathy and Philip today. It was quite nostalgic! I had such a great time working with them both. I never heard from Spencer after he left the show at the end of the second season. I hope to hear from him soon!

There is a lot of drama circling around the movie premier this Saturday at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. I am sure you will all hear about it!!!! Much more to come.....

Thanks for sharing this day with me!

Now time to go to the Land Of Nod..

Goodnight

Wesley