Book Tour Schedule: New York, Denver, Chicago, Reno, Palm Springs, as well as dates in Las Vegas (TBA) and appearances at Vromans (Dec 9th), The Santa Monica Library (Nov 22nd) as well as the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Authors program (Dec 6th) in Los Angeles and more..
Wells, who was a former Miss Nevada, auditioned for the role of Mary Ann Summers opposite such noted competition as Raquel Welch, Patricia Ann Priest and the actress, Nancy McCarthy, who shot the pilot episode under the character name of "Bunny." The role of Mary Ann became a simple farm-girl from Winfield, Kansas and spawned one of the most popular questions of all time "Ginger or Mary Ann?"
Dawn writes about the meaning of the Mary Ann character and observes the cultural shifts that have occurred since she was on the island. From the get-go, the Mary Ann character was different. She wasn't a Hollywood creation. She was molded by Dawn, from Dawn. The Character that was originally listed as "And the rest" on the credits became the fan favorite, garnering more fan mail that even the title character. With over 150,000 fans on her FaceBook page and fan clubs across the U.S., her following has remained faithful.
Dawn says that Mary Ann fits today just as she fit two generations ago, because she is timeless. In a world where the industry and society has been celebrating their "Bad girls," Mary Ann continues to be, for many, the breathe of fresh air as the “Good Girl.” Pop culture is too powerful and too pervasive to be controlled by parents, siblings or colleagues. It can be confused with reality. This leaves young people in a vulnerable position - they have to make decisions that are normally beyond their maturity. Dawn discusses decisions we make in life and even goes straight to the BIG DECISION and delivers her concept of the meaning of sex. In a world of participation trophies, easy praise, and entitlement attitudes, how do you define achievement? Dawn describes it as a journey of failure and learning and tenacity that requires a constant personal re-examination of what success really means.
A song highlighting Dawn's famous role was performed by a group, named "The Southern Gentlemen," for the TV icon entitled "There will always be a place in my heart for Mary Ann". Miss Wells remarked "I embraced the publics love or Mary Ann years ago. In fact, she seems to have grown more popular every year." Why? she explains "I think there are fewer Mary Ann's today than there used to be. There are many Gingers, both on TV and in real life, but far fewer Mary Ann's ... and I think the public remembers her fondly and misses her terribly."
When asked about the most memorable Mary Ann moment, she responded, "There are too many. However, recently I was brought in to surprise Sandra Bullock with a coconut creme pie as celebrity interviewer, Gino Salomone, was speaking to her about the film "Gravity. We had great fun. I am such a fan!" The video has been released and can be seen at here!
Since the show ended on September 4, 1967, Wells has continued to work on both screen and stage. She published Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook with co-writers Ken Beck & Jim Clark, which included a foreword by castaway cast mate Bob Denver, and even starred as Lovey Howell in Gilligan's Island: The Musical, a musical stage adaptation of the TV show. Wells most recently starred along with fan favorites such as Rip Taylor, Lee Merriwether, Bruce Vilanch and others in "Silent, But Deadly" and the stage production of "Lion In Winter" as Queen Eleanor.
Dawn has just completed three stage productions in 2013 including "Love Letters," "Steel Magnolias" and off Broadway in "Love, Loss & What I Wore." She is currently working on the idea of a new reality show "Hunter History" as well as a new book entitled "A Guide To Life: Why We Love Mary" to be released this year (Sept).
DICK CAVETT – LEGENDARY TALK SHOW HOST - NEW BOOK BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: CONVERSATIONS, MAGIC MOMENTS, AND ASSORTED HIJINKS
In his signature charming prose, Cavett introduces readers to the fascinating characters that have crossed his path. He recounts meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono in bed at the St. Regis; sparring with Muhammad Ali; being wooed by Steve Jobs to be Apple’s first celebrity pitchman; and flirting with the ultimate Hollywood star, Elizabeth Taylor. Other notable figures that cross Cavett’s path in these pages include James Gandolfini, Mel Brooks, Nora Ephron, Tony Curtis, and Groucho Marx. Delightfully, Cavett also shares his youthful – and not so youthful – escapades, including his first violent hangover and a few instances when he almost found himself in the county jail.
Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, has called Dick Cavett “a legend and an inspiration” and has written a foreword to BRIEF ENCOUNTERS that makes clear Cavett’s sizable footprint on today’s talk show hosts. Fallon writes, “Funny and poignant stories and essays about his life, his career, family, politics – it’s all here. So intelligent and witty and charming and innocent. Kind of like Dick Cavett himself. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this book. I know I did.”
Offering piquant commentary on contemporary politics, the indignities of travel, the nature of comedy writing, and the utter improbability of being alive at all, BRIEF ENCOUNTERS opens the door on how Cavett’s mind works and what it is like to live in his world. Settle in, and enjoy the conversation!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dick Cavett was the host of The Dick Cavett Show on ABC and PBS, and he also hosted talk shows on the USA, HBO, and CNBC cable networks. He appears frequently on stage, screen, and new media, and was nominated for his most recent Emmy Award in 2012. He is the author of Talk Show and the coauthor of Cavett and Eye on Cavett, and he writes an online opinion column for The New York Times. He lives in New York City and Montauk, New York.
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