‘General Hospital’ Cast Members Are Coming To Newtown

By Shannon Hicks

How far in advance do you tape shows? Is it hard to kiss another woman for the camera? Is it hard for your wife to watch you kiss another woman, even for the camera?

These and many more questions will be answered on Friday, October 17, when Emmy Award-winning General Hospital soap star Steve Burton (Jason Morgan, née Jason Quartermaine) will headline a live performance at Edmond Town Hall Theatre.

In addition to Steve Burton, fellow GH stars Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Brandon Barash (Johnny Zacchara) and Derk Cheatwood, who plays Max the bodyguard, will also be appearing and performing the first of four shows Burton and Anderson will be playing on the East Coast this weekend.

Newtown is in for the opening gig that weekend. Doors will open at 6 pm, a preshow event with VIP ticket holders will begin at 7, and the performance will get underway at 8 pm.

So what are four tough guys (well, three tough guys and one wannabe) doing in a show sponsored locally by Treehouse Comedy Productions?

“We’re just kind of having fun, telling stories,” Steve Burton told The Bee last week. “The time goes so fast, too, because it’s just not some guy sitting on a stool on the stage. It’s fun, and interactive.”

While the show is being presented by Treehouse Comedy Productions, don’t expect a stand-up show.

The Newtown event, said Steve Burton, will probably open with some music by Bradford Anderson (“He’s a fantastic singer,” said Burton), and then the other three will go on stage to talk about — and joke about — themselves, their characters, and the show that all four currently call home.

“I go out there and just have fun about the show, and myself,” Steve said earlier this week, calling from the GH set in LA. “We all have fun.

“Derk tells some of the best stories. He’s one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. Brandon’s a lot of fun, and Bradford’s great, he’s a very talented guy. We have a lot of fun. The last time we went out on stage together he had me laughing so hard I was crying.”

On October 17, fans of GH will have the opportunity to ask questions of Burton, Anderson, Barash and Derk.

Tickets for “General Hospital Soap Stars” at Edmond Town Hall are $70 for balcony seating, $100 for lower level, and $150 for VIP tickets. VIP guests will be seated within the first four rows, and will be admitted to a preshow party with all four performers.

For tickets call the Treehouse Comedy office at 268-5857, send email to TreehouseComedy@charter.net or visitTreehouseComedy.com.

The live shows began as fan events, and have continued as such in that the majority of the audiences are fans of General Hospital.

“I never know where the shows are going to go,” admitted Mr Burton. “People usually think it’s straight comedy because they’re in venues hosted by comedy clubs, but no, not really.

“I do comedy about the show,” he continued, “but there is a lot of interaction between us and the fans. Even guys who come with their girls, some of them have come up to me after a show and tell me they like that interaction.”

At its core, it’s going to be a fan event with some comedy thrown in, and Burton admits that right up front.

“If you’re looking for a funny night out, you might want to go to a movie. We have a lot of fun, though,” he promised. “It’s something a little different. You never know what’s going to happen when you have a few guys up on the stage, sharing stories.”