2013

While Billy Magnussen (ex-Casey Hughes, “As The World Turns”) did not win Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his performance as Spike in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” the play itself did win in the category of Best Play. Written by Christopher Durang, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” tells the story of Vanya (David Hyde Piece, “Frasier”) and Sonia (Kristine Nielsen,”Political Animals”) and Masha (Sigourney Weaver, “Political Animals”) and Spike (Magnussen), who together turn a generally quiet household into a standing circus full of intrigue and super fun.

“I don’t expect to get it. They usually don’t give it to you two years in a row. So for me the real thing is to have been nominated and to have been acknowledged in this way, which is really an acknowledgment of this extraordinary play by Richard Greenberg. This brilliant direction by Lynne Medow and this cast, which is my heart… I’m so appreciative, I really am,” said Judith Light (ex-Karen Wolek, “One Life to Live”) on the red carpet of the 2013 Tony Awards just moments before taking home her second Tony on Sunday, June 9. The actress won for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her work as Faye in “The Assembled Parties.” The play also stars Jake Silbermann (ex-Noah Mayer, “As The World Turns”) playing the dual role of Scotty/Tim.

Previewing the Week of June 10-14, 2013

If anyone knows what it’s like to play a quintessential soap opera character, it’s “Days of our Lives’” Eileen Davidson (Kristen Blake; ex-Ashley Abbott, “The Young and the Restless;” ex-Ashley Abbott, “The Bold and the Beautiful;” ex-Kelly Capwell, “Santa Barbara”). During her 1993 to 1998 stint in Salem, she played everything from helping save Marlena (Deidre Hall) from satanic possession, being presumed dead, buying a baby and even playing four other characters (Susan, Thomas, Sister Mary Moira and Penelope) in addition to her original role as Stefano’s adopted daughter. And the madness hasn’t slowed down since she’s returned to the show for a second run! “The storylines are always pretty nutty for Kristen,” the actress says with a laugh. “It doesn’t stop, that’s for sure.”

Hot off the heels of finishing the thriller “Scenic Route,” Josh Duhamel (ex-Leo du Pres, “All My Children”) has already landed a role in yet another indie drama. According to Deadline Hollywood, the former soap star has been cast opposite Maria Bello (“Touch”), Lucas Till (“X-Men First Class”) and Tom Everett Scott (“That Thing You Do!,” “An American Werewolf in Paris”) in “Strings,” directed by rookie Daniel Duran.

There was a time not that long ago when “All My Children’s” Chrishell Stause (ex-Amanda Dillon) — who’s been confirmed as a future cast member on “Days of our Lives” — seemed on top of the world. She and her boyfriend, “Glee” star Matthew Morrison, were as happy as could be and even announced their engagement in 2007. But shortly after the joyous news came out, the pair split. Fans have wondered how a relationship that was seemingly so wonderful could take such a drastic turn for the worse, and now Morrison himself is setting the record straight!

“Days of our Lives” stars Chandler Massey (Will Horton) and Casey Deidrick (Chad diMera) are on a mission: They’re hoping that through music with their band, The Last of Us, they can help raise awareness about cystic fibrosis.

Daytime fans might remember Billy Magnussen as “As the World Turns’” Casey Hughes, a role he played from 2008-2010. But the Broadway world has taken notice of the young actor for his work in front of live audiences, and his recent stint as the empty-headed yet handsome boy-toy Spike in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” has even earned him a Tony nomination! But will the former soap stud be able to nab the role? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

You’d think that because “The Young and the Restless’” Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea Newman; ex-Annie Chandler, “All My Children”) has been an onscreen bride more times than she can count on one hand, her motto would be “matrimony, schmatrimony.” But when Soap Opera Network caught up with the blushing bride-to-be, that wasn’t the case at all! She was more than thrilled to open up about her upcoming big day and why her fiancé, Matt Katrosar, was able to so easily steal her heart.

The news that “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” have gone into early hiatus due to a union dispute with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (or I.A.T.S.E.) was a bit unsettling for fans of the sudsers. And as Robin Strasser (Dorian Lord, “OLTL”) reveals in her latest hotline message, the actors were just as surprised as the viewers about the drama!