I think it goes without saying that as a longtime and loyal follower of ABC’s "General Hospital," how thrilled I was to be chosen as one of the escorts for the stars at the Main Luncheon held at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, CA on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Since I am primarily a "behind-the-scenes" kinda gal anyway, this position couldn’t have been more perfect for me. Please allow me to enlighten you with some of my favorite experiences.
A couple of hours before the main event, we met with a wonderful lady named Kathy, who appeared to be in charge of the area, including autograph tables, where the stars would be housed after the Question and Answer session. She was also in charge of the "escorts" and "drink runners".
Kathy was most gracious in explaining our responsibilities to us. Our primary duties consisted of greeting our assigned star when he/she arrived, ensuring our star knew where the bathroom for their use was located, ensuring said stars had sufficient pens, pictures, and other items they may have brought at their meet and greet location, moving the line along so all fans could get time with their chosen stars, and taking pictures of the stars with their fans, if requested. We were also to stay by their side as much as possible throughout the event. And of course, make it fun!
After acknowledging we knew what our duties and responsibilities were and being provided with the route where the stars would enter after the Q&A session was over with, we were given our star assignments. I was happy to learn that Drew Garrett (the current Michael Corinthos) would be at my beck and call…er…would be my assignment. He has truly done a terrific job in making the role of the recently-aged Michael his own, and I was excited to see how he was in "real life."
When the main luncheon began, we were able to sneak in towards the back and witness the Question and Answer session with all the stars first-hand. It’s always such a treat to see the camaraderie the stars have together, and how their individual personalities and humor shine through at such an event. For me personally, it was exciting to see that Ingo Rademacher (Jasper Jacks) elected to attend this year’s event. I had always wanted to see him up close, and he didn’t disappoint.
Then it was time. A small bout of nervousness set in, but deep breaths and a short potty break later, I was raring to go. Nothing was going to stop me now!
As the escorts scurried to their respective stations, some of us arrived quicker than others. In fact, when I got there, Laura Wright (Carly) was coming through the doors, and her escort was not yet there. I was fortunate enough to be able to show her to her meet and greet location, and get her set up. She was very kind and down-to-earth, and asked why she was in a separate room other than the main ballroom. I explained to her that the way the grand ballroom at this end of the hotel was set up, there was only room for so many and their fan lines. So others were set up in the hallway outside the main ballroom, which is where my assignment, Drew Garrett, was to be located. All in the name of crowd control, I am sure.
Laura and Ingo were set up in actual hotel rooms, with the beds removed, across from each other directly outside of where everything was to take place. It was modeled this way in order to allow their fans the best access to them, and to keep the lines moving better. It did put her and Ingo out of the main spotlight, but their fans found them, and I do believe that in the end, all worked out well. I was most happy to direct fan traffic to their respective locations while I waited for Drew to show up. In fact, when Ingo arrived and came out from his room location to see what was happening, I was able to say to him how nice it was that he came this year. He said he was glad to be there. Hey, at least it wasn’t "I carried a watermelon," on my end. I actually sounded almost civil. Whew!
Since Drew had not shown up to the main event Q&A, I wasn’t sure he was going to show for the meet and greets. I mentioned that to Kathy, our Escort Director (for lack of a better term), and she told me to continue helping with the traffic flow for Ingo and Laura.
A bit later in the mayhem, I learned that Dylan Cash (former Michael) would be arriving, and was asked to escort him. Dylan is now 14 years old, and has literally grown up on the show. He was a lot of fun to get to know, and has a charming, fun, and mischievous personality. When asked what he is doing these days, he answered that he loves being an uncle to his one-year old nephew, Benjamin. He is also home schooled and looks forward to being a sophomore this fall. He still plans on acting, but right now, has no acting projects in the works.
I was able to escort him in to see Laura (Carly) and Ingo (Jasper). They were so thrilled to see him, and how much he had grown since leaving the show a year ago. Many of the other current stars also were able to see Dylan, and tell him how much he was missed. A lot of his fans also said the same thing, so I believe it was a win/win for all that Dylan came last minute as he did. It was fun to witness his interactions with fans and stars, and he was just a cutie patootie all around!
When he was getting ready to leave, I asked if there was anything else he would like before he left. He said that since Drew Garret (current Michael and the one I was originally supposed to escort) had recently shown up, that he would like to meet "the dude who took his role." He said that matter- of-fact, and wasn’t bitter in the least.
So my last duty as official escort of the 2009 GH Fan Club weekend and for Dylan Cash, was one of my most favorite of all. I took Dylan over to where Drew was, tapped Drew lightly on the shoulder, and said something along the lines your predecessor would like to meet you. He immediately spotted Dylan, and the two embraced in a very heartwarming hug! Drew mentioned how grateful he was to follow in Dylan’s footsteps, and how worried he was that he had the role now and if he would be accepted, etc. Dylan was very cool with it all, and said he was fine, and they got a great actor to replace him and he wished him all the best. It was a picture-perfect moment, and I am sure pictures of it will be showing up in soap magazines in the very near future. Witnessing "nuMichael meeting formerMichael" first-hand and knowing I had a small part in making that happen, just chills me (in a good way) throughout. My work there was complete.
And there you have it - the highlights of my first escort encounters. I am hoping it won’t be the last as I am thinking I am made for escorting. Ha…this kind anyway. Long live GH Fan Club Weekend! Is it July 2010 yet?
- Allycen Farnsworth
