The Nurses Ball on Normal Hospital has gone by many modifications over the a long time. Nonetheless, there are a couple of components of the HIV/AIDS fundraiser/expertise present (inside the present) which have remained fixed. We’re speaking concerning the humanity and vitality that Lucy Coe, performed by Lynn Herring, brings to the gala.
TV Insider is bestowing Daytime Performer of the Week honors on Herring for her function as Lucy, the guts and soul of the Nurses Ball.
It’d be simple to have Lucy make a couple of cursory opening remarks earlier than the singing and dancing start. However each GH and Herring’s Lucy guarantee that the explanation for the Nurses Ball isn’t glossed over regardless of the medical advances which have been remodeled the a long time.
“I simply need to share with you that I began the Nurses Ball 31 years in the past, and it was to boost consciousness and to boost funds within the struggle in opposition to HIV and AIDS,” started Lucy, referring to the primary Nurses Ball in 1994. “And it was only a teeny little concept I had and I assumed it will be a one-time occasion, nevertheless it grew into this storied Port Charles establishment, and I’m very, very proud, happy with that,” an emotional Lucy continued. “That is what we do, you understand, all of us get collectively as a neighborhood and we do it for the higher good.
“And I do know a few of you’re in all probability considering,” Herring’s character added, “We don’t have to take action a lot with AIDS and HIV, however we actually do must proceed to struggle the great struggle, and in order that’s what we’re doing proper now.”
Lucy’s speech was crammed with real empathy. Herring has by no means forgotten the influence the ball made on her character. The Nurses Ball helped Port Charles residents see that there was extra to Lucy than her being a flighty social climber, who wed Normal Hospital medical doctors Tony Jones (Brad Maule) and Alan Quartermaine (Stuard Damon).
Lucy was endlessly modified by changing into emotionally concerned in HIV/AIDS consciousness. Herring, who has been invited to reprise Lucy with the intention to host this gala (and for different tales) because it was relaunched in 2013, by no means fails to remind viewers that HIV/AIDS continues to be an important situation.
Herring brings emotional gravitas to Lucy’s ardour for the gala whereas additionally ensuring her character is a full of life and alluring host. This yr, the gifted Herring took half in one of many present’s musical numbers, as Lucy danced to “These Boots Are Made for Strolling” together with Felicia (Kristina Wagner), Anna (Finola Hughes), and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson).
Whether or not she’s rustling up Port Charles residents to ensure they don’t overlook the place they’re within the expertise present’s lineup to conserving the present transferring or making a lightning-fast costume change, Herring’s Lucy stays the glue and heartbeat of the Nurses Ball.
Disney / Christine Bartolucci
The gala wouldn’t be the identical if there wasn’t an enormous emotional reveal. This yr, it was a devasted Gio (Giovanni Mazza) asserting to attendees that his start mother and father have been Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).
“Okay, didn’t I inform you guys something can occur on the Nurses Ball and it simply did however by no means worry the present will go on,” stated a stunned Lucy, as she figuratively faucet danced with the intention to preserve the get together transferring.
Herring’s Lucy labored with almost your complete solid of characters who attended the Nurses Ball all through the week. That roster included a llama named Sebastian (GH labored in a plug for Llama rescue organizations throughout the gala) and 5 cute kids – Donna (Scarlett Spears), Wiley (Viron Weaver), Georgie (Lily Fisher), Scout (Cosette Abinante) and James (Gary James Fuller) – who closed out the expertise present.
Whereas there’s an previous adage about actors by no means performing with animals or kids, not even the charming Sebastian or GH‘s subsequent era may take away focus from Herring’s dynamic and nostalgic efficiency as lovable Lucy Coe.
The expertise on the Nurses Ball has by no means wavered (as evidenced by Mazza’s show-stopping violin enjoying). However the actuality is, in these economically difficult occasions, all TV is going through manufacturing price range cutbacks. There aren’t as many acts, attendees, or tables however, the guts and soul of the Nurses Ball – Herring’s Lucy – stays the identical.
Normal Hospital, weekdays, ABC