One Life to Live Fan Club Luncheon Report

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I’ve been going to the fan club luncheons for four years now, and I have to say, this one ranked up there as one of the best.  There was a large turnout of fans.  I believe about 300 in all but there was also a very large turnout of stars.

The day began at 9AM with check in. Soap Opera Digest and Soaps in Depth again provided the most recent issue to each fan attending. Since no pictures of the stars are given out by the fan club, in many cases this is what the fans get autographed. Carol also provides the fans with a piece of cardboard for signature. (This year, several of the stars provided pictures to the fans and personally autographed them, which was a real treat.) Following check in, you could buy raffle tickets to win any number of items or buy packets of 4x6 photos for $5 each. There were two five dollar raffles, one for a VIP pass to move to the beginning of any autograph line, the other to have your picture taken with your favorite star in attendance for publication in the soap magazine. There was a $1 raffle, which was a donation to a charity (I believe MS), and you could win a set of candles. Finally, there was a $1 raffle in which you could deposit the ticket you purchased in containers numbered to correspond to various photos, scripts, jewelry items, props such as newspapers or hospital ID’s and some actual wardrobe items. Examples of the wardrobe items included Nora’s athletic shorts, the jean jacket worn by Jessica’s stunt double when she fell in the river with Mitch, a skirt outfit worn by Viki, a top worn by Gabrielle, and Dorian’s negligee set and a wrap.

The doors opened about 10:30 and fans filtered in to see where their tables were located, greet friends and prepare for the day. Carol began the luncheon with the admonition to fans that she would stop everything if we moved forward to the dais for pictures. She wanted us to show restraint in our welcome to the stars. The lunch was served and the raffle numbers called out. Carol then introduced Kristen Alderson (Starr) to announce her cast mates and begin the question and answer period and autograph session. Kristen did a great job calling out the names in alphabetical order and the fans gave all the stars their enthusiastic (but within Carol’s bounds) appreciation as they entered. Several of the stars received extra strong hoots and hollers and standing ovations. Two of these were actors leaving the show, James DePaiva (Max) and Nathan Marston (Al). Of course, Al had been announced publicly and with Max, there have been rumors, but it was almost like the fans knew that James DePaiva would announce that ABC had let him go. You could definitely see he is a fan favorite.

The following actors gave of their time to attend for their fans: Kristen and Eddie Alderson (Starr and Matthew), Melissa Archer (Natalie), Peter Bartlett (Nigel), Kathy Brier (Marcie), Amanda Cortinas (Adriana), James and Kassie DePaiva (Max and Blair), Mark Dobies (Sr. ADA Colson), Patricia Elliott (Renee), David Fumero (Cristian), Dan Gauthier (Kevin), Renee Goldsberry (Evangeline), Bruce Michael Hall (Joey), Catherine Hickland (Lindsay), Fiona Hutchinson (Gabrielle), Ilene Kristen (Roxy), John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex), Patricia Mauceri (Carlotta), Nathan Marston (Al), Jessica Morris (Jenn), Timothy D. Stickney (RJ), Trevor St. John (Walker), Robin Strasser (Dorian), Jay Wilkison (Riley), Robert S. Woods (Bo) and Shanelle Workman (Flash). As you can see, it would almost be easier to list those that were unable to make it. Frank Valentini had wanted to attend as well, but had another commitment.

What was really remarkable is that a couple of the actors had other commitments and could only stay for the question and answer period and maybe a bit of the autograph sessions, but they still took the time to come. Leaving right after the question and answer sessions were Renee Goldsberry (Evangeline) and Timothy D. Stickney (RJ).  Some of the others had planned more intimate gatherings with just their fan bases later that afternoon or evening and had to leave to prepare for those and I had heard that Patricia Mauceri (Carlotta) left, after signing autographs as long as she could, to attend a wedding. How special of them to put the fans first and come for as long as they could.

Once they were all seated on the dais, Carol gave the microphone to Robin Strasser who had asked the actors to bring something with them to pass out to people who had not won the raffles. Sounded like Robin was a cheerleader for the fans this year, rallying the others to participate and give back to the fans. The first person to step forward with an item to give out was Dan Gauthier (Kevin). He explained he didn’t really have anything to give out, since he had just moved to town and if anyone had any furniture to give out…. He chose a number and gave the winning fan a kiss and a One Life to Live Anniversary T-Shirt.  Next Bob Woods (Bo) pulled a number and gave out a picture from Bo’s office.  Catherine Hickland (Lindsay) gave out some Cat Cosmetic essentials and her music CD. John-Paul Lavoisier (Rex) said he didn’t bring anything to give out, but he wanted to participate so he was willing to give out Catherine Hickland’s home address and phone number. Bruce Michael Hall (Joey) gave out a picture of him and his brother. I wasn’t sitting close by and was taking notes, so I didn’t see exactly what Fiona Hutchinson (Gabrielle) gave out, but I had heard it was a sculpture from Tanzania. She also spoke of the work of the Gabrielle Foundation, which brought two children from Tanzania to the US for medical care and saved their lives. She said the Foundation hopes to help twenty children this year. She auctioned a lunch and set visit for a donation to the Foundation as well. Shanelle Workman (Flash) gave away two CD’s. Patricia Elliott (Renee) gave away a music box she has had for years. Robin Strasser gave away a NYC Snow Globe and 2 T-Shirts from Super Soap Weekend.

Next Carol gave out the Fan Club Awards. This year she gave mini statues rather than framed certificates. These went by quickly and I tried to catch them all but I may have something wrong. Here is the list of winners:

• Pillar of the Community – Erika Slezak
• Lead Actress – Kassie DePaiva
• Supporting Actress – Catherine Hickland
• Lead Actor – Bob Woods
• Supporting Actor – Kamar de los Reyes
• Scene Stealer – Kristen Alderson
• Fantasy Date – Bruce Michael Hall
• Favorite Couple – Natalie and Cristian
• Favorite Heart Throb – David Fumero
• Favorite Newcomer – Bree Williamson
• Favorite Villian – Mitch – Roscoe Born
• Favorite Storyline – Mitch’s Return
• Free Spirit – Roxy – Ilene Kristen

Following the awards, Shanelle Workman traveled the room, microphone in hand, and passed out prepared questions for the fans to read off and the actors to answer:

• Melissa Archer (Natalie) was asked the most outrageous thing she has read about herself.  She paused to think about this and with Jessica Morris’s (Jenn’s) help she indicated rumors on the internet tended to be the most outrageous.
• Bruce Michael Hall (Joey) was asked how much they are allowed to ad-lib and he indicated that Erika gets to do the most ad-lib but that most of them go word for word.
• David Fumero (Cris) was asked his favorite childhood memory. He had a lot of trouble thinking back on his childhood. He ended up explaining that he had a lot of fun. He played hooky, he had a sled, etc.
• Kristin Alderson (Starr) was asked how long she had been acting. She explained her first role was that of Molly in Annie when she was six or seven and she is now twelve.
• James DePaiva (Max) was asked what passion in his life best describes him. He said his wife was the passion in his life. This is when he took the opportunity to announce that ABC had terminated him the day before (Friday). He brought with him a vest he had worn in his first audition for the role of Max and presented it to his best fan Donna.
• A fan asked if she could give Robin Strasser the Budrah Diamond. She had brought with her a huge mock diamond ring. It was about 5 inches across, with a huge diamond. She went up and presented it to Robin who ran down the dais to Kassie to tell Blair the diamond had been found! Robin was real touched by this gesture and wore the diamond on her necklace the rest of the afternoon, so it is in many fan pictures.
• Peter Bartlett (Nigel) was asked what his favorite scene as Nigel was. He indicated it was kissing Kristen (who he was seated next to) laughing and then said that it is coming up and will air on his birthday, later this month, and is the scene where he sings with Ilene Kristen (Roxy).
• Patricia Elliott (Renee) was asked how she was different from what the fans think.  She asked, “What do the fans think?”  She said it could take all day to answer this question but she said that Hillary B. Smith (Nora) once commented that when they have stand around scenes she always wants to stand by Renee because Patricia Elliott always has such colorful stories to tell. She wasn’t a madam like Renee, but darn close. She then expressed to the fans and James DePaiva how much she loved working with Jimmy and would miss him.
• Shanelle Workman (Flash) was asked if she had a nickname. She said some people call her Nellie or Shanny and then someone from the cast reminded her that BoBo calls her CoCo#5.
• Ilene Kristen (Roxy) was asked if she could live at any time when what would she choose and why. She answered that she would love to be a cave girl, wearing loin cloth and wearing a bone in her hair. She was kidding, she said probably in the 1920’s.
• Timothy Stickney (RJ) was asked his favorite way to relax. He plays video games and reads comics. He played Star Wars before coming to the luncheon.
• Dan Gauthier (Kevin) was asked his most off-beat non-acting job. Dan explained that he attended San Diego State University and one summer he was out looking for a job and was walking down a street when he noticed that a woman was struggling to dress a mannequin when it fell on her. He went in and offered to help her. He was offered the job of dressing mannequin’s in the hot windows. As he was arranging them one hot sunny day, he was perspiring and took off his shirt. As he arranged the accessories and completed his task, he turned to see he had an audience. People had stopped on the street to watch him work.
• Catherine Hickland (Lindsay) was asked, “Have you ever had a real soap opera moment?” She replied she has been married three times! She said, like all of us, she has had many soap opera moments. Catherine then took a moment to tell the fans that Hillary B. Smith (Nora) had really wanted to attend however her sister is very ill and she is with her. She asked that we give her our thoughts and prayers.
• Kassie DePaiva (Blair) was asked for something we would be surprised to know about her. She didn’t really answer the question but asked if we all liked Trevor St. John, Walker. A cheer went up. She and Trevor said not to miss the August 22^nd show.
• A fan said he felt that Jessica Morris was the hottest gal in Llanview and asked if he could give her flowers he had brought for her. She gave him a kiss.
• Fiona Hutchinson (Gabrielle) then said that this was the first she had heard the news about Jimmy DePaiva and she wanted to pay tribute to him. She so enjoyed working with him and wanted to thank both him and Kassie and wished blessings on their family.
• Robin took the mic and asked Kathy Brier if she had an announcement to make.  Kathy announced that she would be taking over the lead in Hairspray, on Broadway and said we should all try and get tickets after the luncheon.

Carol then asked everyone to stay in their seats as her security crew moved the actors into place at several different dais’s around the room, for the autograph sessions.  Autographs continued throughout the afternoon and finally, about 4:00 they started closing lines, so the actors could finish up.

I really enjoyed visiting with my online friends, people I only see at the fan club events and the actors, as I went through their lines. It certainly appeared to me the event was another success for the club and Carol.