Bucks County, PA is somewhere fictional One Life to Live’s Llanview could easily be and it is the birthplace of Kristen Alderson who has been playing Starr Manning on the show for ten years — that’s more than half her life! She has brought a lot of pizazz to the conniving yet good hearted character, the offspring of two very, for lack of a better term, charismatic individuals: no mean feat. The multi-talented young lady will be joining our fund-raiser as the youngest of the actors who are lending their names — young at heart, but wise in her choices.

Website: Kristen Alderson Official Site

Making a seamless transition from SOAPnet's General Hospital: Night Shift into Pine Valley Amanda Baker joined the cast of All My Children in the role of Babe Carey in October 2007. This charming belle from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina certainly knows how to make an impression. Charity must be her middle name, because she devotes a lot of her time to a variety including: Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation, The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and L.A. Works. Her performances this past March at Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS with many of her colleagues from ABC Daytime attested to her vocal talents. Her rendition of "Impossible" is a stand out from the evening. It's only natural that she has joined POZ team's effort for AIDS Walk New York. It's all about sweet charity.

Website: Official Amanda Baker

Justis Bolding was born in Green Bay WI, and grew up in Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her father, after empathizing with various female co-workers struggle to achieve equality in the workplace, decided to name his daughter Justis. He felt that women needed a little justice in the world. She assumed the contract role of Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live in June of 2007 and has made her mark as a core member of the Buchanan-Lord family winning over cast mates and viewers alike. Justis is dedicated to animal welfare—check out www.bestfriends.org and www.animalalliancenyc.org. We are very happy to have the participation of this very talented Daytime newcomer.

Website: Justis Bolding Official Fan Club

BethAnn Bonner was in the final three of Soapnet's I Wanna Be a Soap Star 3. While she didn't win, in 2006 she was offered the contract role of police officer Talia Sahid on the ABC Daytime’s One Life to Live, debuting in December of that year. [wikipedia] "BethAnn Bonner's Talia is a breath of fresh air. There is something unique and intriguing about this character … BethAnn is creating layers in Talia and compels me to want to learn more about the character. She is neither cookie-cutter nor easily forgettable…" [Denise]

Website: BethAnn Bonner

Along with co-stars, Bree and BethAnn, this is Brandon Buddy’s encore for POZ. He brings to life the very complicated character of Cole on One Life to Live. Last year’s appearance was a happy one for die-hard fans of Soap Opera History: on meeting Thorsten Kaye who originated the role of Cole's now deceased father (Patrick) on One Life to Live Brandon said to Kaye: "I'm Cole Thornhart, what's up?" to which the reply was: "Oh great. It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." Brandon told Soap Opera Weekly: "It was really cool." Brandon is also the second native of Austin, to be in attendance. It brings certain flair to the proceedings. It appears that Mr. Buddy also has a certain flair for lending a hand and supporting HIV/AIDS awareness.

Website: Brandon Buddy Official Web Site

Thom Christopher was born in Jackson Heights, New York . While Mr. Christopher is mostly recognized for his portrayal of Carlo Hesser on One Life to Live and Hawk on Buck Rodgers in the 21st Century, Thom had pursued a life on the New York stage, both on and off Broadway. When taking on the role of Hawk in season two of Buck Rogers, Thom did some research for the part by reading books on bird mannerisms, visiting the birds section of the American Museum of Natural History and observing real life hawks in the Central Park Zoo. It is our good fortune that he has returned to his old stomping grounds in Llanview. This truly humble man is coming out to lend his hand to the cause and many of his fans couldn’t be more thrilled.

It wasn't all that long ago that Michael Clay was one of Nashville's noted heartthrobs. He is certainly a fine example of an impossibly handsome sensitive man. His music at the time was noteworthy in that it could not be pigeonholed. In the heartland of the Country Music Industry that can be a two edged sword. There was definitely nobody like him. No one else was playing his brand of pure American music with a strong positive streak. His loyal following was exactly that because the music was so uplifting. On the other hand being that unique made it difficult for major labels' A&R people to take a chance on him. Still he stayed on and played and played.

Michael could tell you many a tale of his close friends from his Nashville years and more than one has inspired his original material. They were years full of creativity and connecting personalities. The list seems endless and certainly memorable.

Michael Clay's signature song at one time was the incomparable Love Out Loud a paean to loving as one's nature dictates. It arrived at the very end of the set starting out unassumingly with an autobiographical sketch of how the emotional struggles of youth brought the singer to musical expression a metaphor/simile for loving and living. It was that part of the show where everyone in the band had the opportunity for self expression. It was cathartic and exhilarating.


I was born with bugle horns and trumpets in my heart,
Mandolins, & accordions & voices in three parts
Pounding drums and guitar strums
And choirs singing out
I was born to love, love out loud

Michael Clay and his band featuring percussionist and producer Merel Bregante opened the first fund-raiser back in May, 2006. He continues to grace this annual event with his song which provides an essential theme for the good intentions here.

He debuted as the "hottest new comer to daytime TV", in his role as Noah Chase on Guiding Light and his portrayal of sociopath Daniel Colson, on One Life to Live, was acclaimed, as the highest rated storyline for its demographic in the thirty-five year history of the show. His most challenging role by far was Off Broadway at The Public Theatre, playing Bruce Niles in The Normal Heart. The revival of Larry Kramer's landmark play detailing the AIDS crisis in the early eighties was as gruelling as it was rewarding. "We had to deal with death every night for three hours. It was however, one of the greatest learning experiences of my life". Listening to Mr. Dobies talk about his craft and his various and sundry approaches to it is enlightening. He asks the right questions and gives more than a few right answers and insight. The man, a good friend to this cause for two years in a row, is worthy of more than simple interest

Website: Mark Dobies

Marj Dusay has been all over the Soap Opera Globe from Guiding Light to Santa Barbara to All My Children to Capitol. She is a journeyman actor and where she shows up it is all the better. To have an AIDS Walk fund-raiser with Soap Opera actors and not have her there is tantamount to discounting first hand experience.

She has stepped into many a difficult situation as an actress, but none so difficult as the real life situation as losing a son. During one of her stints as Alexandra Spaulding on Guiding Light, she was interviewed by Soap Opera Weekly and shortly thereafter the unthinkable happened to her. She said this in an addendum to that interview entitled, "A Mother's Farewell" as advice to the parents of children with AIDS:

Be there with them ... at least write notes, talk. Say, "I care." It's a very lonely -- very lonely -- embarrassing disease. You're sitting around not knowing when you're going to go ... A lot of them are really trying to accept their own fate ... the only thing that you can do that'll make you feel better is at least get the word out there that you love them ... Let them know you care ... You can do that.

She continues to let us know that she cares. She has joined the POZ team.

Website: Marj Dusay Official Web Site

At the age of 12, Melissa debuted on All My Children as an extra only to return as the very adult Annie McDermott, mother to Ryan Lavery's daughter and romantic interest for the handsome devil. Originally from Bedford, New York, Miss Egan grew up with an extensive background in musical theatre. While still a child, she began booking national television commercials and was signed by the Ford Modeling Agency. Ford did indeed have a better idea in the University of North Carolina Dramatic Arts major. Miss Egan made her mark while at Chapel Hill in Marvin's Room, How I Learned to Drive, The Birthday Party and Pippin. Not resting on those laurels, she also studied Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy at Oxford, England. Her television credits include One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek, and she starred in the independent film Wrestling. We're grateful that she intends to sweeten the atmosphere at Prohibition for the fund raiser meeting and greeting the fans in attendance.

Website: Melissa Claire Egan

When Van Hansis took part in a special reading of The Laramie Project Mala Bhattacharjee said: Hansis does his own part to promote recognition by playing daytime's only gay male core character. "I really feel that Luke's storyline has been groundbreaking in daytime television," he shares. "From the response I’ve gotten, Luke has become a very loved character on the show despite his sexuality, which a lot of people might have problems with. They've gone forward in telling the first part of his 'coming out' story, and that has really opened up a lot of people's eyes. I hope they'll continue to show Luke as a full, rounded person." Well, the powers that be at As The World Turns have been keeping this talented and multi-faceted young actor very busy and in a good way, for he has earned an Emmy nomination. Talk about Love Out Loud! Van will be on hand to help us promote another kind of recognition. It is hoped that he gets the kind he surely deserves.

Website: Van Hansis Fan Page

Thorsten has been a major participant in this event since its inception. His very loyal and passionate fans are the first to sign up and do significant fund raising on their own adding to the overall effort. Mr. Kaye never hesitates when asked to help. We are fortunate that he is there for us.

An athlete and actor with the heart of a poet is a description that fits this international star and author to a tee. He has presence and, therefore, his characters fill the small screen whenever he appears. His work with Alicia Minshew on All My Children is noteworthy and has caught the notice of many. Don't hate him because he's beautiful. Love him because he has subtlety in his delivery and can say more with a glance than copious words could descry.

Website: ThorstenKaye.com

Ilene Kristen of One Life to Live has always been there for the POZ Team. She has performed and attended all of our events. She is the first to step up and it is POZ's good fortune to count her as a friend. A New Yorker through and through Ilene has lived just about everywhere there.

She found herself living on the Upper West Side for some of her formative years. As many an urban child, especially of that era, she and her sister were given directives regarding which streets could be travelled. One street that had 100% permission for her young adventures was Broadway, which served as inspiration for the luminous and joyous noise she gave forth in a duet of Boogaloo Down Broadway after her show one evening at the Triad where she often performs.

Ilene's shows are full of reminiscences in which she relates to her audience as if they were in her living room. She herself says so. Nonetheless her music is sultry, smooth and funky at one and the same time. Still this smoothness wraps itself around complex and sensitive lyrics in her original material. "Hold on to the earth with your own two hands and never say goodbye" are the lyrics she wrote in response to The World Trade Center tragedy and the loss of her good friend Nancy Addison from Ryan's Hope. The song is the memorable and poignant, "Flesh and Blood."

She has lost many friends to AIDS and is very much impacted by the disease which has now ravaged the world for over twenty five years. It's no wonder that this vibrant, diminutive powerhouse is always eager to lend a hand, clearly one of the most generous spirits alive. To know her is to love her

Website: The Official Ilene Kristen Website

John-Paul Lavoisier became part of the canvas on One Life to Live in 2002. There isn’t much in Llanview that his character, Rex, hasn’t had his hand in. Like Lavoisier, Rex approaches life with a lot of panache. As a student in Phoenixville, PA, Lavoisier dabbled in magic and while he became a full-time actor instead, the magic, it seems, is still there. Last October “JP” participated in a fund-raiser for AIDS Center of Queens County, "Gift of Love." This year it is POZ team’s good fortune to have him on board. John-Paul is no stranger to Prohibition either having been there to support other causes and the performances of his on-screen parent, Roxy, a.k.a. Ilene Kristen.

Ken Lundie began his career with Disney during college as a scholarship recipient to the inaugural season of Disney World's Kids of the Kingdom and Musical Theatre Experience. He has become a musician par excellence and the POZ team is very fortunate to have his talent on board. Ken spends much of his time at the famed Radio City Music Hall accompanying and arranging for the world famous Rockettes. He also plays for and coaches some of the country's finest talent. Last year at POZ's fund raiser at Prohibition, Ken and old friend, Ilene Kristen, rediscovered each other. This year they will be put their talents together to make the evening even more special.

While living in Hollywood Ken appeared with Dolly Parton in the film version of Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and with Mae West in her last movie Sextette. Ken has also served as Associate Musical Director for Jimmy Buffett on his Don't Stop The Carnival. He is the musical supervisor for Westchester Broadway Theatre and its educational program.

On Project Runway, Jack Mackenroth became one of the first openly HIV-positive reality-TV contestants. But when a MRSA infection, unrelated to his HIV, forced his exit, the champion swimmer knew exactly how to pool his resources. His presence on the small screen was an encouraging sign for HIV-positive people.

Beyond his professional achievements Jack has also achieved national recognition as a competitive swimmer. He has 3 All-American titles to his name and set a national record in the summer of 2006 in the breaststroke leg of the 4 x 50 meter medley relay. The same summer he finished 12th in the 50 meter breaststroke at the Masters World Championships in Stanford California. He still competes at the most elite level in swimming. As a fitness and fashion model through the 1990's, Jack appeared in such magazines as Paper, DNR, Men's Fitness, Men's Journal, Genre, Blue and several others.

Jack has always been very open about his HIV-positive status. Since his diagnosis in 1990 he has tried to combat the stigma of HIV by living honestly and being a role model through professional and athletic achievements. He believes that public visibility educates and eventually saves lives. He has worked with HIV/AIDS charities such as God's Love We Deliver and Project Open Hand, which deliver meals to homebound people with AIDS. Each year his swim team organizes a benefit event that raises over $25,000 annually for local AIDS charities. He hopes to further disprove the myths about HIV throughout his experience on Project Runway and beyond.

Currently Jack is developing his own line of men's dress shirts and dress pants and hopes to expand into all aspects of men's sportswear. He is also working on a memoir about his life experiences. Most recently he had a cameo in the new Sex and the City movie with all the girls. The runway is just beginning...

Jack jumped at the chance to join us and we are proud to have him with us.

Website: Jack Mackenroth

Anyone who includes carpentry among his interests has to be quite an interesting fellow and As the World Turns has been blessed with the very interesting Billy Magnussen as Casey Hughes since January 2008 fresh from his Broadway stage debut in the classic comedy, The Ritz, starring Rosie Perez. As a member of that cast it is particularly poignant because it was a hit originally a hit in 1975 when the sexual mores of this country had not yet been effected by the HIV virus. This Queens native who was raised in the Deep South brings to Love Out Loud a new wave of talent, along with cast mates Van Hansis and Wolé Parks, who are lending their names and energies to HIV and AIDS awareness—young people who don’t know a world without this disease. It is reassuring that this young man is involved in raising awareness as well as helping out with a fund raising effort.

Christopher Meloni, whose involvement in this site's and POZ magazine's fund raising for the last seven years, is once again here for us in the form of EBay auctions featuring items with a personalized autograph from this good man. Meloni's commitment goes further in that he has been readily available to help out with this cause on both a personal and donor level. Back in 2001 members of his fan forum were encouraged by him to participate in fund-raising walks such as MS and AIDS in lieu of sending him gifts. He is someone to count on. He's the proverbial tough guy who gets going when he needs to.

He has this to say to anyone who may want to join the team:

Today with ever newer more potent drugs to combat the ravages of AIDS, I think it's even more important to get out there to help educate and spread awareness. All too often some success can breed apathy and complacency; today that is a challenge for all of us. So for those of you thinking of participating please go for it and for those of you who are giving of yourselves to the cause know that the good you're doing extends beyond you, your friends and family and even beyond what's happening here in the U.S. with this disease. AIDS is truly a global affliction and it's our contribution, no matter how small that will make a difference.

Peace and wear comfortable shoes
C

Billy Miller is no Richie Novak, his manipulative alter ego on All My Children the show he joined last fall. It is our good fortune that he is very different and taking the time to join us. Much like his on air sibling Melissa Claire Egan he is quite popular among his cast mates and quickly built a following among the show's fans. He holds a degree from the University of Texas in Austin as one of only twenty students in the film department's Intensive Production Sequence. Intensive is the operative word here. For example, like many an actor before him, Mr. Miller is no stranger to bartending, and his approach to that experience is to have his own company building and operating bars in Austin, TX and South Bay, CA. As a true denizen of the Southwest, this young man doesn't let any grass grow under his feet and now he's taking New York by storm.

Website: Billy Miller Website

Born in New York City, Wolé Parks is a graduate of NYU with degrees in both Fine Arts and Mathematics. Wolé Parks' television credits include roles on Law & Order and Conviction, as well as starring in the sixth season of MTV's anthology series Undressed. In film, Parks will be seen alongside Kevin Bacon in the upcoming HBO film Taking Chance and with Ricky Gervais in the 2008 film Ghost Town.

Wolé has been part of the cast of As The World Turns in the role of Dallas Griffin on November 14, 2007

Aside from acting, Parks is an active member of the group Democracy for NYC (DFNYC), a grassroots political group formed by former members of Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign and, therefore, very active in the public forum of political debate. It’s no surprise that this well-informed man has stepped up to join us for this fund-raising event.

Barbara Porteus is the quintessential cabaret performer who can give you precisely what you came for from Stephen Sondheim to Johnny Mercer. She has performed in such shows as The Sound of Music with Marie Osmond, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying with Donald O'Connor and Side by Side by Sondheim. She has opened for Sid Caesar, Ben Vereen, Petula Clark and many others. Her extensive and impressive resume includes performing and touring with Eddy Arnold and Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings. She comes to us via her collaboration with the ubiquitous Ken Lundie and her presence brings to us a performer of the highest calibre.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Kamar de los Reyes moved to Las Vegas at the age of two and had a childhood filled with music. Kamar's father, a Cuban drummer and percussionist, would see two of his three sons become professional musicians. Kamar, the youngest of the brood, began playing the trumpet at the age of four and although he played alongside trumpet greats like Harry James, Doc Severinson, and Dizzy Gillespie, Kamar chose to go another route.

From playing trumpet alongside Dizzy Gillespie to performing opposite Patrick Stewart in the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest directed by George C. Wolfe - Kamar de los Reyes has crafted a musical and acting career as rich and complex as the syncopated rhythms of his Latin roots.

Kamar de los Reyes has been known by millions of fans for several years as Antonio Vega One Life to Live and has steadily performed alongside a virtual who's who in television, movies, stage, and music for over a decade in a wide range of projects. Kamar is also actively involved with The Gabriel Project, a fund-raising organization that provides life-saving heart surgery for impoverished children, and is developing a curriculum here for our children to participate in this life-saving and life-changing process. This very talented man is at his best when devoted himself to his favorite cause. It is POZ’s good fortune to have him on board with ours.

Website: Kamar de los Reyes<

This native of Hawaii has been part of the Llanview canvas for about a year now, in that year he was doing double duty as Paul in the original cast of the revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway. His is an impressive resume that commences with his co-hosting duties on The Music Factory at an early age. He is the kind of actor made for the Big Apple given his great talent for musical theater. He most recently appeared in the workshop of The Nightingale by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, the creators of Broadway's Spring Awakening. Anyone who saw his performance in this year’s Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS can attest to the great talent part. It also shows that he has a talent for lending a hand to a good cause.

It’s safe to say that the main focus of Oscar winner Marisa Tomei’s life is acting—what good acting it has been and continues to be. She will star in Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming Broadway production of Caryl Churchill's Top Girls along with Mary Catherine Garrison, Elizabeth Marvel, and Martha Plimpton. Directed by James Macdonald the play begins previews at the Biltmore Theatre on April 15, 2008, and opens on May 7. When asked to join us for "Love Out Loud," she wanted to make sure that her name be added as a friend and supporter, although she will be on stage, giving credence to the high opinion most people who know her have of her. Ms. Tomei’s lending her name and support to this cause brings with it that very same respect she receives both professionally and personally from her fellow New Yorkers. Among her many accomplishments, this absolutely delightful person helped bring the Vagina Monologues to an international audience. Friendship and support like this can only mean that the POZ team must be doing something right.

Tremors and their lead singer, John Kouri, a mainstay at Prohibition, are much appreciated by clientele and management alike. This New York based cover band has been playing music together for over a decade. A five piece ensemble maintaining a wide ranging repertoire, from Sinatra standards like "Summer Wind" and "That's Life", to rock-n-roll classics from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and much more, Tremors have one of the most extensive 70's, 80's and 90's song lists you will ever see. With band members whose musicianship is of the highest level, the group has performed at venues ranging from small local pubs, to the Algonquin Hotel, to large festivals. John himself has been open and generous with the POZ team in the past lending us equipment. Third time's the charm and this year the guys are performing with and for us. They will be performing until closing for those who want to extend what promises to be a great musical evening.

Website: Tremors

Many people got to see Matt Walton in his incarnation as the intrinsically evil Terry McDermott on All My Children and now know that he is much more than that. He is simply a hard working guy , one of those actors who keep you watching whether it's in television, on film or on stage. One of his recent endeavours Montclair saw him as part of a very talented ensemble as well as an Associate Producer for a very creative and unique independent film project. He will be seen in the upcoming Coen Brothers' espionage film Burn After Reading and Law & Order: Criminal Intent in a recurring role. He's made such an impression in his work as the "Optimum guy," someone wants to start a fan club for him. He is definitely one of the good guys with a strong creative streak. He makes it a point to support us in all our efforts.

Website: Matt Walton Official Site