Many years ago we watched the premiere of a prequel to the TV show Bonanza. I’d waited for this night for a few reasons – #1 The star was Daniel Hugh Kelly (Need I say more?) - #2 I’d grown up with Bonanza as a television viewing staple and often wondered about the “early” years and hoped this show would answer some questions. – #3 I was curious to see how they were going to make Australia look like Lake Tahoe?
Well, DHK was handsome as ever, and after a while I forgot that the scenery didn’t match the lake that I know and love. I never found my answers about the early days of the Cartwright family as the story line didn’t exactly follow the Bonanza canon. But, what I did find were two talented young actors who made me forget about the history of the Bonanza Cartwright family and become a fan of The Ponderosa Cartwrights, Drew Powell and Matt Carmody.
Drew played a young Hoss Cartwright like no one else could. I later learned he’d had little exposure to the original Bonanza show and therefore little knowledge of Dan Blocker, the original Hoss. By his performance, you would have thought he’d studied Dan’s smirk, his stance, etc. dilligently. Drew played the iconic character his way and still brought out the charm of the Hoss we all loved for so many years.
I looked for Drew in other shows over the years, but there wasn’t much about him on the web in those early days. One day I discovered a Yahoo group in his name and some wonderful fans of The Ponderosa. Many had met Drew at the Bonanza Convention in Lake Tahoe in 2005. So, with their help, Bev and Sue especially, I created my second actor website. After a while Drew asked if we could make the site “official” and a new chapter began for both of us.
My husband and I first met Drew in 2007 while he was performing in a benefit for “Food On Foot”. The show was Bedtime Stories, a series of one act plays written by the talented Gloria Calderon Kellett. We’ve since shared many plays and film festivals with Drew. Our latest trip to LA was in January of this year to see Drew in Paul Reubens’ stage production of “The Pee Wee Herman Show”. Even in a bear costume, Drew was a standout. =) The show was great!
You’ll be hearing a lot more about Drew in these pages, so keep checking in. I also have a video page for Drew. Just click the link at the top of the page and have fun!
