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Cast & Crew
Cast Info | Credits

Credits
By Bill K.

"Key West"

Two words in a green, tropical-flavored font, idyllically nestled in a cartoonist's island paradise, emblazoned across a full-motion vista of the real thing as we appear to be speed-boating our way in. A television series splash-screen/logo is born.

But where did this mini-gem of a TV series come from? Who were the creative forces at work on both sides of the camera?

David Beaird originated the idea, and thus the credits list the series as "created by" him. I hope to one day have the opportunity to chat with Mr. Beaird. I would love to know his inspiration for these fascinating characters. I’m guessing that friends, family members or neighbors from his childhood in Shreveport, Louisiana may have been the inspiration. But that is pure speculation. Care to enlighten us, Mr. Beaird?

If you have not seen his 1992 movie, "Scorchers", I highly recommend it. There are some similar characters in it, and it features Jennifer Tilly, Leland Crooke, and Michael Covert. The story line also showcases a familiar (to Key West fans) feel...one of heart and passion, and a bit of a peek into what lies below the surface of the persona of us all.

Stonehenge Productions is the collaborative effort of Dick Berg and Allan Marcil. Stonehenge seems to come and go as a production company, kind of on an "as needed" basis. Those two gents and David Beaird were the Executive Producers for all episodes of Key West, and all have been involved in many other interesting projects.

Barry H. Waldman served as Producer on all episodes. On all except the Pilot, Tom Chehak was the Supervising Producer. Both of these names have appeared on your television screen many times, regarding many diverse projects.

Visit the Internet Movie Data Base (www.imdb.com) for an incredibly huge and searchable compendium of motion picture and television information.

And now, here is the breakdown by episode:

Pilot (Episode 1)
Written by: David Beaird
Directed by: David Beaird
Guest Stars:
Nicholas Surovy:   Mayor Boone Penbrooke
Nita Whitaker:   Mamie Nakambuli
Christopher Templeton:   Sarah
Sandra Dombrowski:   CoCo
John D. Rodgers:   College boy
Jason Williams:   Hector's son
Avery Sommers:   ChaCha
Ruben Rabasa:   Alonzo
Victoria Bass:   Joy
David Silverthorn:   Charles
Elodia Riovega:   Nonna
Tyson Stephenson:   Nigel
Tamara Jeffries:   Malou
Dan Hildebrand:   Ratchett
Nancy Goode:   Moderator
Peter Haig:   Campaign Manager

The Second Day In Heaven (Episode 2)
Written by: David Beaird
Directed by: David Beaird
Guest Stars:
Alec Mapa:   Phillip
Joy Hawkins:   Annie
Dave Corey:   I. Henry
David Arisco:   homeless man (Homer)
Mal Jones:   postman
Chris Jones:   photographer

The Great Unknown (Episode 3)
Written by: David Beaird
Directed by: Geoffrey Nottage
Guest Stars:
Kathleen York:   Star
Fred Ornstein:   Hightop
Donna Kimball:   Isadora
Jackie Davis:   Peppy
Dave Caprita:   derelict

Less Moonlight (Episode 4)
Written by: David Beaird
Directed by: Christopher Leitch
Guest Stars:
Mariska Hargitay:   Laurel
Julie Ann Sipos:   Martha
Brandon Hammond:   kissing boy

Pieces of a Man (Episode 5)
Written by::   Tom Chehak
Directed by::   Geoffrey Nottage
Guest Stars:
Arnold Bergman:   Irv Hubble
Louis Crume:   Bertrum Stoddard

The Greening (Episode 6)
Written by: David Beaird
Directed by: David Beaird
Guest Stars:
Donna Kimball:   Isadora
Sam J. Jones:   Commander Beauregard Richards
Danny Hart:   Scooter
Michael Shaffer:   Dooley
Dave Corey:   Herbert
John Messenger:   Maitre D

Act of God (Episode 7) Written by: Milo Beckmann
Directed by: James A. Contner
Guest Stars:
Joy Hawkins:   Annie
Bankie Banx:   himself
Tony Tarracino:   bar patron
Ralph Marino:   old salt
Jillian Warry:   weatherperson
Art Nichols:   sailor
Armando Lodigiani:   barkeep
Sally O'Boyle:   airport guard

Gimme Shelter (Episode 8)
Written by: Kathryn Baker
Directed by: Chuck Bowman
Guest Stars:
Gwen Verdon:   Sister Grace
Miriam Halvorssen:   Sister Margaret
Bob Roitblat:   exterminator
Richard Liberty:   homeless man
Laird Stuart:   desk clerk
John Wells:   ghost

Crossroads (Episode 9)
Written by: Tom Chehak
Directed by: James Frawley
Guest Stars:
Kevin Thigpen:   Vernon Cole

We The People (Episode 10)
Story by: Allan Marcil, Richard Clayton Woods
Teleplay by: Kathryn Baker, Craig Volk
Directed by: John Nicouella
Guest Stars:
Joy Hawkins:   Annie
Jose Perez:   Agent Enrique Howard
Trey Scott:   Reverend Buzz

Compadres (Episode 11)
Written by: Craig Volk
Directed by: Nancy Malone
Guest Stars:
Akosua Busia:   Mireille
F. William Parker:   Rear Admiral Delbert Hooker
Luke Halpin:   Crocodile Chuck
Sandy Mielke:   fatman
Dennis Riley:   Southernmost Bagpipe Player

The System (Episode 12)
Written by: John Steppling
Directed by: Christopher Leitch
Guest Stars:
Donna Kinball:   Isadora
Sam Vlahos:   Garcia
Barbara Rucker:   Kathy
Ruben Rabasa:   Cecilio
Liz Cabezas Crilley:   Hector's secretary
Brent Burns:   clerk
Patricia A. Saia:   window clerk

Heavy Metal, Heavy Hearts (Episode 13)
Written by: Craig Volk
Directed by: Geoffrey Nottage
Guest Stars:
Harriet Oser:   Izzy
Donna Lee Betz:   Red Meg
Michael Owens:   Snapper
Roger Martin:   Mac
Wil Knickerbocker:   Dredger
Kurt:   small man

In all applicable episodes, Delphi and Kibby the Dolphins appeared courtesy of the Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key.

Oh but wait! Those are just the beginning! It takes more than writers, actors, producers and directors! Quite a lot more! These folks "helped out" on a regular basis:
David Blewitt:   Associate Producer
Kathryn Baker:   Story Editor
Craig Volk:   Story Editor
Vincent Baldino:   Director of Photography
Mario Caso:   Production Designer
Tom Pryor, A.C.E.:   Editing
Ellen Jacoby, C.S.A.:   Casting
David Cohn, C.S.A.:   Original Casting
Barry H. Waldman:   Unit Production Manager
Gary Sales:   1st Assistant Director
Paul Boyington:   Main Title Design
Paul Mason:   Executive in Charge of Production
Cathy Roszell:   2nd Assistant Director
Beth Klein:   L.A. Casting
Sandy Lighterman:   Production Coordinator
Cory Yuglar:   Script Supervisor
Gordon K. Loi:   Auditor
Michelle Lang:   L.A. Casting Assistant
Fabio Arber:   Location Manager
Denise Jackson:   Location Scout
Herb Davis:   Camera Operator
Peter J. Devlin:   Production Mixer
Gary Ryan:   Gaffer
Barry James Ryan:   Key Grip
Michael Bendix:   Technical Consultant
Thomas Kittle:   Special Effects Coordinator
Monty Triz:   Art Director
Kurt Thoreson:   Propmaster
Damon Medlin:   Set Decorator
Beverly Safier:   Costume Designer
Cuqui Collazo:   Hair Stylist
Diane Maurno:   Make-Up
James Seidelman:   Assistant Editor
William Essarv:   Assistant Editor
Glenn T. Morgan:   Sound Effects Supervisor
Stan James:   Music Editor
Bill Nicholson:   Re-Recording Mixer
Jeff Houii:   Transportation Coordinator
Hal Harrison:   Post Production Supervisor
Judy Simanello:   Post Production Supervisor
Angel McConnell:   Assistant to Producers
Rosanne Welch:   Assistant to Producers

…and a host of extras who were unnamed in the credits. I happen to know the names of just a few: Tom Luna and Robert “Roofman” Carr are two that I met and have spoken with during visits to the island. Both are great guys with some interesting stories to tell. Christopher Aiello contacted me through this website and graciously shared some of his favorite stories and insights. Since that time I have met with Chris at Pepe de Maison, where he makes a great Mojito! …and is an awesome guy to play “Name That Quote” with! Monique Miller also contacted me through this website. Monique was kind enough to share her insights and memories of living in Key West and working as an extra in the series. Thanks to all, and if anyone else was involved and would care to share, please do! Also, please bear in mind that the information I have put up here is the best that I could come up with. I have no doubts that there are mistakes and omissions. None are intentional, and anything can be fixed. Drop me a line anytime and I will do my best to get any and all corrections and additions made as quickly as possible.

Last, but oh not least: That wonderful music that opened and closed each episode, and feathered the nest of each scene’s mood was written and performed by Pray For Rain. Those folks have been providing a lot of the music you have been enjoying with a variety of other on-screen productions... you just didn’t know it. You can find out more about these masters of music at their web site, www.prayforrain.com.

I should mention that VIACOM Productions, Inc. has held the copyrights to the entire ball of “Key West” wax since 1993. Hopefully they will one day allow the series to be re-broadcast, so that others may enjoy what a fortunate few of us have. Also hopefully, they will not take offense to this web site, and will accept it for what it is: Homage to one of their own.