St. Louis Film Festival 2001
MACARTHUR PARK
DIRECTOR: BILLY WIRTH

Having had the extraordinary opportunity to be one of the fortunate people being able to attend the St. Louis Film Festival I felt compelled to share my thoughts and feelings not only with others that were there but for those who truly wanted to be and did not get the chance to go.

To put this briefly so all who read this will understand my interest not only in the film but in the director of the film as well; I have been a Billy Wirth fan since 1986. Having seen him in a film entitled 7 Minutes in Heaven. I was very taken not just by his appearance but more so by his performance. Having reviewed the credits and finding his name my quest for any scrap of information on his career began.

In 1999 I finally purchased a computer and using the Internet took a chance and typed in his name, hit search and was very relieved to see that I was not alone in recognizing this tremendous talent. I viewed all the sites available and finding the one that for me seemed truly focused on the man's talent, projects and career I was able to retrieve a wealth of information from the Billy Wirth Fan Club. At this moment I would expressly like to thank Maxine and Cyn for the time and effort I know it must take to get such knowledge out to the masses.

Having as I mentioned before been always taken with his performances regardless of how small the role or short the dialogue, I found myself wondering how it could be that this wonderful actor, writer, director, musician was not in at least 2 major films a year. His ability to sell a scene with just an expression on his face has stayed with me since the first time I saw him.

Through the above mentioned fan club I obtained information about his directorial debut with the film MacArthur Park. I was very fortunate and grateful to Maxine and Cyn for their thorough and always professional source of information and through this was able to attend this festival and not only see a masterpiece of storytelling but to meet the man himself Mr. Billy Wirth.

Upon arriving I was able to meet with Maxine and many others who attended this festival and were also tremendous fans of Billy Wirth. Beth, Penny, Mary Jo and Calandra to name a few were the best people I've had the privilege to meet in a very long time. It was indeed a pleasure to be around people who actually saw passed the excellent packaging that Mr. Wirth comes wrapped in and honestly see the man and his talent and that is why they were there. It made it so easy to feel at home with these women because that's why I was there as well.

Night One: I arrived at the theater I honestly could not tell you what time. I was anxious and not paying very much attention. As I was about to enter the theater I looked up and there he was. My being an older woman I didn't think I would be so awestruck but needless to say I was practically speechless.

As I watched him make his way through the people gathering to speak with him he looked up and saw familiar faces in Maxine, Penny and Beth. He seemed so delighted to see them and after greeting each one warmly, Maxine introduced him to me. He smiled the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my life, shook my hand and said "it's very nice to meet you, where are you from" Lord ladies I almost forgot. "Philly" was about all I could manage to say.

He was most kind and even agreed to take a picture for my son who is also a fan. When I went to take the picture he said "no, no, together, take it with me". Does the expression "thought I was gonna die" mean anything to anyone?

Into the theater for the film. I'll get the initial reaction over with first. It was fantastic! Even for people who have never and God willing will never experience the addictions, heartbreaks and fears of the films true life characters one still had to feel all of those above mentioned emotions. Mr. Wirth managed to take you out of your seat as a spectator and put you into MacArthur Park. I have never been more moved.

Having had many years ago a situation where my now ex-husband and father of my children was addicted to drugs and watching my eldest son try for so long to find answers; to struggle so hard to find ways to cope, to help and even to forgive his father; well this film moved me to tears. His insight to each and every character was astounding. Where as most of society walks passed these people with nothing more than a look of contempt, his vision of them as human beings, real people would make the most cynical individuals think again before passing harsh judgments.

Although there is not a "happy fairy tale ending" to such lives, Mr. Wirth was actually able to let the audience have hope. To feel hope. I am a fan, yes; but this man is truly gifted. One has only to see his work to know this to be fact.

On the 2nd day of the festival the showing was in the afternoon. Once again I am oblivious to the time. The women from the Billy Wirth Fan Club had T Shirts with the MacArthur Park poster on the front and all of the film festivals where the film had a showing on the back. They wore these shirts proudly. As well they should. I learned that Mr. Wirth had agreed to let these shirts be manufactured and purchased so that funds would be distributed to the Fire fighters families that lost their lives in the September 11th tragedy.

Did I mention this man is wonderful? Having viewed the film for the 2nd time it had more of an impact on me than it did the first time. I truly hope to see this film in theaters every where so all the world can see what all of us who already know of his work can see. That he is a multi talented and gifted man. With a spirit that has a 20 foot wing span.

As I listened to him during the Q&A my determination to do whatever small portion I could to make sure that as many people as I can reach know of this talent was only deepened. His answers were honest, to the point and most sincere to each and every question that was put to him. He was gracious in every instance.

As is life all good things must come to an end. Outside of the theater he again made his rounds to accommodate all of the people and fans that made this trip and came to see this film. He answered more questions, posed for more pictures, signed autographs (he even signed a MacArthur Park T shirt for my son); finally after finishing up with a group of fans at one end of the outside of the theater he came walking directly over to Maxine and the fans that were in her company.

He thanked each and every one. He gives great hugs ladies and each one of us was the proud recipient of one of those hugs. I will continue to pray for his success and I will never rest until everyone knows his name, his face and his work. The world is being deprived of a great talent. The great talent that is Billy Wirth.

With Deepest Appreciation,
Barbara Ann Cavallaro

P.S. To Maxine and Cyn of the billywirthfanclub.com your site is phenomenal. I am so grateful that I found it and I have introduced it to every ear that I can reach. It was an honor to meet you Maxine and I am truly grateful to you. To Penny, Beth, Calandra and Mary Jo, it was amazing how we met as strangers and through the mutual appreciation for this wonderful talent Billy Wirth we parted as "friends".

It was the most wonderful weekend of my life. I thank and love you all!!!