Behind the scenes of Llanview, PA
By Lucy, Publisher of The Llanview Banner

I have always wondered what it would be like to go backstage and see the "behind the scenes" of One Life to Live, and on Monday, May 24, 1999, my sister Aline and I had the opportunity to do just that. My good friend Michael Storm (Dr. Larry Wolek), who recently celebrated his 30th year on the show, served as our host when we arrived at One Life to Live's studio, and he gave us a guided tour of Llanview, PA (a.k.a. the OLTL set in New York). The studio, which is located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, is actually a converted armory building erected in 1901.

Our first stop when we arrived, was the security desk in the studio lobby, where we signed confidentiality agreements, ensuring that Llanview's deepest and darkest secrets won't be revealed. The scenes we witnessed today will air in 3 weeks. A few minutes later, Michael appeared in the lobby to greet us - our first meeting after corresponding for nearly two years. Michael is much taller (6'1"), and slimmer than he appears on TV -- very handsome, and a nicer man you will never meet. Michael is a "down to earth" type of guy and as sweet as Dr. Larry, the beloved character he plays on One Life. After a warm hug and kiss, he handed us our official visitor passes, posed for a photo, then we were off to visit Llanview!

Michael first took us into One Life's nerve center, the control and sound rooms, to show us where everything that happens on the studio set comes together. The rooms are filled with many television monitors and a multitude of control panels. It looks so simple on TV, but what really makes it all happen depends on some key people who are sitting in the control room during the taping segments. There are many individuals including Producers and Directors who make technical decisions (ie. Camera shots, audio and video), resulting in how the show looks on air. All the hard work that goes into producing a soap opera is very impressive indeed!

Our next stop was the OLTL set where they were getting ready to begin dry blocking. Dry blocking is fairly relaxed compared to when they tape the scenes, and there is lots of kidding around and friendliness between actors on the sets. The director, crew and actors go through each scene that will tape that day, figuring how to enter the scene, move around the set, etc. Earlier that morning, Director John O'Connell went over the day's script in a downstairs rehearsal room with the actors, giving them notes on how to play their scenes. During dry blocking, he gave them more notes as the actors figured out how they were going to physically act out the scene. It is really amazing just how much the directors and stage managers have to keep track of.

Michael was a very gracious host, introducing us to as many of the cast and crew on the set as he was able. The first actor we bumped into at the entrance of the set was Erika Slezak (Viki). Erika was conducting a guided tour of her own for two editors of the "Official Erika Slezak Fan Club" newsletter." Kit, one of the Editors, hails from California, and Angie, assistant Editor & Graphics Designer, is from North Carolina. They devote a great deal of their time in putting out a quarterly newsletter for all of Erika's fans, and they deserve a lot of praise for all that they do. It was a real pleasure to meet them.

It took me a few seconds to recognize Erika Slezak … she looks so different off camera. At the time, her hair was brushed back, and she wasn't wearing makeup, but she's one of those rare individuals who looks great without it anyway. She is truly a beautiful woman in every respect. Erika was dressed in a black pantsuit. and looking as slim as I've ever seen her … actually petite. She has either lost weight, or it's true that the camera really does add a few pounds. She was very pleasant, and happily agreed to autograph her photo in my OLTL 30th anniversary scrapbook. [Kit later informed me that "Erika has lost 17 pounds on the Atkins diet and that is why she is SOOOOO slim." … Bravo Erika! Kit was also kind enough to point out that what I had mistaken earlier as a headband on Erika's head, was actually a pair of sunglasses! … Oops! …Thanks Kit!]

Tim Gibbs (Kevin) was the next actor we met, and looking very tan. I always thought he was good looking on TV, but he's absolutely gorgeous in person. It really made my day when he gave me his autograph. I was so overwhelmed by my surroundings that I blew the opportunity to ask him if he is renewing his contract, which is supposedly up this month. But, I guess we'll find out soon enough. I admit, it took me a while to warm up to him when he replaced Kevin Stapleton in the role of Kevin Buchanan, but Tim Gibbs has done a fantastic job in making the role his own, and I hope he stays with OLTL for a long time to come.

We also saw Erin Torpey, the young actress who has done a superb job of portraying a pregnant teenager in her role as Jessica Buchanan. We waved to each other from a distance. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to meet with her, but I was later able to meet David Fumero who plays the role of Jessica's boyfriend, Cristian. In real life, Erin and David seem to be very close friends. He was very attentive to her the entire time they were on the set and she truly seemed to be enjoying his company.

Moving on, my sister and I miraculously found ourselves standing in the midst of Llanview, PA. We were introduced to Stage Manager Alan Needleman, a very busy and important man on the set, who kindly watched out for us when Michael had other things to do. I think it's reasonably safe to describe the sets that we saw that day, without giving the storyline away, so here goes:

The first set we were brought to was a hospital room, and a small waiting room to the left of it. The studio is very small and space is really at a premium. In order to keep out of the way of crew and camera men while the hospital scene was being dry blocked, we stood in the study of Asa's (Phil Carey) home which was located directly across from the hospital set. What a thrill to be physically standing in a room that until then, we only saw on TV. The biggest prop in the room was the huge Egyptian style cabinet that I remember became part of that set during Asa's marriage to Alex. On a television monitor nearby, we were able to view part of Susan Lucci's (Erica, AMC) interview on the Rosie O'Donnell show, regarding her Emmy win.

We excitedly watched as Michael Storm acted out his role as Dr. Larry in the first scene. (Unfortunately, I can't reveal the names of other characters who were in the scene with him without giving the storyline away). Michael has a great sense of humor, and because he was without props (stethoscope etc.), he did a lot of adlibbing and clowning around while doing his physical examination of the patient. Very funny stuff, but he was all business when it came down to getting the job done, and even suggested a change in the dialogue that he felt would help make it flow more smoothly.

The next scene was in the Park with Nora (Hillary B. Smith) and Sam (Kale Browne). I just loved this three-dimensional set. It had artificial shrubbery and trees in front of a back drop of the park, and a wrought iron fence in front of that. There was also a park bench on each side of the area. What a treat it was to see these two actors acting out a scene together. As much as I am committed to my belief that the characters of Nora and Bo belong together, believe me when I say that Hillary and Kale have a lot of "chemistry" on the set. Again, a lot of joking around went on between them while they rehearsed their scenes. At this point, I'm so confused, I really don't know which man I'm rooting for Nora to be with. All I know is that Hillary is a very strong actress and I think she can can be convincing in any storyline, and with whomever she does a scene with. I was really impressed by the fact that Hillary directed several comments to the fans who had the pleasure of watching her rehearse. She made us feel very special, and I thank her for that.

Another scene in the park took place between Nora (Hillary B. Smith) and Lindsay (Catherine Hickland), and this was perhaps the funniest scene of the day! It's easy to see that these two actresses get along very well. It just so happened that both actresses were wearing white tops and black slacks, with identical shoes (black platforms with sandal straps). They started teasing each other about who looked the best in their outfits, and before we knew, there was some friendly competition going on … each trying to outdo the other in chest size and posing in a way that many weight lifters do!

Somewhere in-between all that was going on, Michael took the time to show us the other sets scheduled for taping during that day, which included Dorian's foyer and stairway (complete with her portrait at the top of the stairway), Joey's carriage house, and Sam's living room, foyer and front entry. Because his scene was the first to be taped in the afternoon, Michael had to break for lunch at around 11:30 a.m. He took us across the street to the ABC commissary where he treated us to lunch and I must say, it was really nice to have a some time to chat and get to know each other a little better. Michael, who lives in California, said he enjoys going back to the studio and doing scenes with his friends. I mentioned that there are many fans who are saddened by the fact that the role of Dr. Larry has been phased out over the years, and he replied that he would love the opportunity to do more shows on One Life, and wishes they'd expand his function on the show. He's somewhat disappointed to see major social events in Llanview (ie. Asa's recent marriage to Renee) take place without the "good Doctor Larry" in attendance, and feels that a lot of his long-time fans miss his presence, too. Michael went on to say that he would LOVE to see Dr. Larry have "personal relation-stuff with Nora or Bo or Viki," but without a contract, he's probably not going to be included in any interesting capacity on the show. However, he is quick to add, "Over these 30 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and the opportunity to work with the finest group of actors in the business! I have been truly blessed. I've had some great story-lines and wonderful experiences in "Llanview" and I thank God for this opportunity. I'm grateful for being asked back to Llanview, even in such a limited capacity. In the mean time, I'm still having a great time on both coasts … and I am about as happy as I've ever been!"

Guests are not normally allowed to visit the studio in the afternoon for dress rehearsal and taping, but after lunch, Michael was gracious enough to invite us back to the studio to visit the makeup room, which is located downstairs near the actors dressing rooms. That's when the fun really began. We unexpectedly ran into Clint Ritchie (Clint Buchanan) on our way. I asked if there was a chance he'd come back to the show permanently, and he responded "I don't think so." While I was getting Clint's autograph, Michael grasped the opportunity to change into his scrubs, and a few minutes later he emerged in his character of Dr. Larry. The makeup room was fairly quiet when we first walked in. We watched intently as the makeup artist applied "Dr. Larry's" makeup and prepared him to look his best for his taping segment. I never expected the influx of OLTL stars who began filtering into the room a few minutes later to get their make up and hair done for their afternoon taping. Besides Michael and Clint, there was Catherine Hickland (Lindsay), Hillary B. Smith (Nora), Robert S. Woods (Bo), Mark Derwin (Ben), Tim Gibbs (Kevin), David Fumero (Cristian), Don Jeffcoat (Joey), and Charissa Chamorro (Sophia). It was a very relaxed atmosphere, with some of the actors even eating their lunch in the makeup room!

Robert S. Woods (Bo) was an absolute delight. He has such a great personality and a very contagious smile. He must lead a very happy life, because I swear that he is always smiling and kidding around. If he looks a little "odd" in the photo, it's because of some very strange makeup he was wearing. We had a blast hobnobbing with the stars, and it was wonderful to have had the opportunity to see them as themselves…and not the just the characters that we have grown to love and hate on TV over the years. I have the greatest respect for each and every one of them, and I now appreciate more than ever, the long hours and hard work they put in to entertain us each and every day.

Before the end of our tour, we had more photo and autograph opportunities … one in particular was with Mark Derwin (Ben), an extremely handsome man, who was kind enough to interrupt his lunch to pose for a photo with me, as did Robert S. Woods to pose with my sister, Aline (pictured with Michael and Woods above). … Thank you Mark and "Woodsy"!


As we were leaving the studio, we again ran into David Fumero (Cristian),who was getting some fresh air on the steps in front of the building. We chatted as he held the door open for us in a gentlemanly fashion, and he told us that viewers can look forward to some exiting things happening on OLTL in the next few weeks.

In closing, I'd like to thank all the stars we met that day for taking the time to sign autographs, pose for photos, and especially for making us feel welcome in "Llanview." All in all, our day at the One Life to Life studio was truly an unforgettable experience!



Finally, and most importantly, I'd like to thank Michael Storm once again, for "having a wonderful way, of going out of his way to be wonderful." Michael made my sister and I feel very special indeed!

*If you miss Dr. Larry (Michael Storm) and would like to see more of him onscreen, you can voice your feelings by writing to Executive Producer Jill Farren Phelps at: ABC Daytime, 77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023

* Information on subscribing to the Erika Slezak newsletter mentioned in the article above, is available by writing to: Erika Slezak Fan Club, c/o Walter Miller, Jr., 28 Grove Square, Randolph, MA 02368. The Official Erika Slezak Fan Club features a quarterly newsletter called "Erika's World" that starts off with a letter from Erika on what she has been up to, questions from fans, soap magazine reviews, and contests. A photo is usually included in the newsletter.