
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 24, 1994                   TAG: 9403030007
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Nancy Reichardt
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                 LENGTH: Medium

SOME SOAPS STARS EXPECTING NEW ROLES

Congratulations to Genie Francis, who plays Laura Spencer on ``General Hospital,'' and her husband, actor Jonathan Frakes, who co-stars on the series ``Star Trek: The Next Generation.'' The couple are expecting their first child in August. The ``General Hospital'' writers will incorporate Francis' pregnancy into the story line, so super-couple Laura and Luke Spencer (played by Tony Geary) will be expecting their second child (they have a son, Lucky, played by Jonathan Jackson).

Also expecting in real life is Jensen Buchanan, who plays the dual role of Vicky Harrison and Marley Hudson on ``Another World.'' Buchanan and her husband, Gray O'Brien, who is studying to be a physical therapist, will become first-time parents in April. It has been confirmed that Buchanan is leaving the soap around the end of April so that she can spend time with her baby. The role of Vicky/Marley will be recast.

In the story line, Vicky is pregnant. When Buchanan is playing Marley, she is seen from the shoulders up.

Frank Dicopoulos, who plays Frank Cooper on ``Guiding Light,'' and his actress-wife, Teja Anderson, also are expecting a baby in late spring. This will be the couple's first child. Anderson has made a couple of appearances on ``Guiding Light.''

And Morgan Englund, who plays Dylan Lewis on ``Guiding Light,'' and his wife, Pam, are expecting their second child in early summer. They already have a daughter named Annabelle.

On Feb. 28, Ron Palillo will begin appearing on ``One Life to Live'' in the role of Gary, a blackjack dealer at Asa Buchanan (played by Philip Carey) and Alex Hesser's (played by Tonja Walker) new casino. Palillo is known for his role of Horshack on the prime-time series ``Welcome Back, Kotter.''

Valarie Pettiford, who will be leaving her role as Sheila Price on ``One Life to Live'' at the end of this month has begun rehearsals for her role in the play ``Come On Along,'' which will be presented at the MacCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J., beginning March 27. The production, a musical featuring the music of Irving Berlin, is to run through April 10.

This summer, Pettiford will replace actress Lonette McKee in the Toronto production of ``Showboat,'' directed by the famed Hal Prince. The word is her ``One Life to Live'' role will be recast.

Rachel Miner and Gregory Burke, the young actors who play Michelle Bauer and Ben Reade on ``Guiding Light,'' recently won Best Youth Actress and Best Youth Actor in a Soap Opera trophies at the Youth In Film Awards. Both actors have appeared on the soap since 1990.

Sydney Penny, who plays Julia Santos on ``All My Children,'' accepted a marriage proposal from producer Robert Powers while spending her Christmas vacation in California. No wedding date has been set by the couple, who plan to exchange vows sometime in the next two years.

\ Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns.

United Feature Syndicate

by CNB