TV Insider’s Daytime Performer of the Week: Lynn Herring Shines as Lucy Coe Is the Heartbeat of the ‘General Hospital’ Nurses Ball
The Nurses Ball on General Hospital has gone through many changes over the decades. However, there are a few parts of the HIV/AIDS fundraiser/talent show (within the show) that have remained constant. We’re talking about the humanity and energy that Lucy Coe, played by Lynn Herring, brings to the gala.
TV Insider is bestowing Daytime Performer of the Week honors on Herring for her role as Lucy, the heart and soul of the Nurses Ball.
It’d be easy to have Lucy make a few cursory opening remarks before the singing and dancing begin. But both GH and Herring’s Lucy make sure that the reason for the Nurses Ball isn’t glossed over despite the medical advances that have been made over the decades.
“I just want to share with you that I started the Nurses Ball 31 years ago, and it was to raise awareness and to raise funds in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” began Lucy, referring to the first Nurses Ball in 1994. “And it was just a teeny little idea I had and I thought it would be a one-time event, but it grew into this storied Port Charles institution, and I’m very, very proud, proud of that,” an emotional Lucy continued. “This is what we do, you know, we all get together as a community and we do it for the greater good.
“And I know some of you are probably thinking,” Herring’s character added, “We don’t have to do so much with AIDS and HIV, but we really do need to continue to fight the good fight, and so that’s what we’re doing right now.”
Lucy’s speech was filled with genuine empathy. Herring has never forgotten the impact the ball made on her character. The Nurses Ball helped Port Charles citizens see that there was more to Lucy than her being a flighty social climber, who wed General Hospital doctors Tony Jones (Brad Maule) and Alan Quartermaine (Stuard Damon).
Lucy was forever changed by becoming emotionally involved in HIV/AIDS awareness. Herring, who has been invited to reprise Lucy in order to host this gala (and for other stories) since it was relaunched in 2013, never fails to remind viewers that HIV/AIDS is still a very important issue.
Herring brings emotional gravitas to Lucy’s passion for the gala while also making sure her character is a lively and inviting host. This year, the talented Herring took part in one of the show’s musical numbers, as Lucy danced to “These Boots Are Made for Walking” along with Felicia (Kristina Wagner), Anna (Finola Hughes), and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson).
Whether she’s rustling up Port Charles citizens to make sure they don’t forget where they are in the talent show’s lineup to keeping the show moving or making a lightning-fast costume change, Herring’s Lucy remains the glue and heartbeat of the Nurses Ball.
Disney / Christine Bartolucci
The gala wouldn’t be the same if there wasn’t a big emotional reveal. This year, it was a devasted Gio (Giovanni Mazza) announcing to attendees that his birth parents were Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).
“Okay, didn’t I tell you guys anything can happen at the Nurses Ball and it just did but never fear the show will go on,” said a surprised Lucy, as she figuratively tap danced in order to keep the party moving.
Herring’s Lucy worked with nearly the entire cast of characters who attended the Nurses Ball throughout the week. That roster included a llama named Sebastian (GH worked in a plug for Llama rescue organizations during the gala) and five adorable youngsters – Donna (Scarlett Spears), Wiley (Viron Weaver), Georgie (Lily Fisher), Scout (Cosette Abinante) and James (Gary James Fuller) – who closed out the talent show.
While there’s an old adage about actors never performing with animals or youngsters, not even the charming Sebastian or GH‘s next generation could remove focus from Herring’s dynamic and sentimental performance as lovable Lucy Coe.
The talent at the Nurses Ball has never wavered (as evidenced by Mazza’s show-stopping violin playing). But the reality is, in these economically challenging times, all TV is facing production budget cutbacks. There aren’t as many acts, attendees, or tables but, the heart and soul of the Nurses Ball – Herring’s Lucy – remains the same.
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The best performer of the week should be Giovanni. He was awesome.
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This. Lucy was great, as always, but Gio absolutely riveted, first with his violin solo, then with his devastating reveal. And, honestly, I can't remember the last time this show riveted me.
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Lynn Herring did exceptional job! Especially soon after losing her husband Wayne Northrop
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Was kinda disappointed seeing the red carpet arrival interviews by Nina & Drew bickering with others,ugh—- but once the performances began, they did not disappoint!!!
Kudos to all that delivered those great performances and special recognition to Gio’s violin playing which was out of this world!!
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This was a great year for the fans in having all the traditions upheld including that emotionally moving, very dramatic Gio reveal!! I loved all of the clothes & all of the attitude including dialog with intentional double meanings!! Then, they absolutely had me in tears as Michael entered the back of the ballroom but was spied by eagle eye Wiley, so "DADDY" rang out, soon to be followed by BYE MOMMY!
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Gio was awesome on the violin. My favorite part is when Michael showed up. The look on Drews face was priceless 🙂
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I appreciate Lucy for doing this with all her heart ❤️ yes anything can happen.
Good job no absolutely great job Lucy
We can do 2026 as well
Until next year and yes remember ANYTHING can happen. 😎😄😎😄😎😄
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Should be Giovanni Mazza
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Of course, what really happened is a little different. After the first year of Daytime Compassion when most of the soaps did something, Wendy Riche thought up the Nurses Ball. The GH staff implemented her ideas. I watched the NB even before I became a daily GH viewer. This year IMO was one of the very best! Shout out to Shawn Reeves, Costume Designer, he really outdid himself this year!
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Lucy coe had always has been my favorite soap opera character, I named my cat Lucy and I will have a pet duck one day and may call him sigmond
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I love watching the Nurses Ball, but I don’t understand the name. Nurses Ball?
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Georgie is Maxie's daughter with Spinelli from years ago. It was Georgie who was sick at home as James performed in the last song at the end of the NB.
Lucy always, always has many multiple hair/dress changes during the show. She also acts as the brunt of everyone's laughter. Many years she has even ended the show in her underwear!
It is your option to state your opinion about the talent but many loyal fans will oppose your opinion. Most performances were choreographer to songs that most of us know and enjoy. Should they have just stopped in the middle of a song and dance? Gio's talent is phenomenal! Maybe you could Goggle him and see some of his awesome performances including "making the dance while playing his violin."
Again, your opinion, as the "nurses and cops were silly, corny and Chase can't sing." This group was the "comedy" for the NB this year. Also, many of GH's loyal fans, as well as others, think Chase can sing and has a wonderful voice!
"Trina has a good voice. Joss gets by." Again your opinion, as many fans will disagree with you.
"A lot of storyline suffered from moving to conclusion by giving the ball four days." Loyal fans of GH and fans that watch occasionally look forward to the NB every year. It is a change of pace for GH and showcases talents of each actor and actress as they perform a theatrical NB for Port Charles.
It is portrayed as a Fundraiser to raise funds for HIV/Aids by PC citizens, who think it is an important endeavor.
Hope you enjoy GH!
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This is a little sidebar but . . . Trina and Kai have a love scene finally. The man had back surgery and the make-up crew couldn't give him a little "scratch" on his back?? His back was flawless. No marks at all. Come on . . .
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Michael's back, look out Drew. Will Willow find out that Drew made sure she didn't see or talk to Michael?
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Who’s Georgie? Isn’t James who Maxie had to stay home with bc he was sick?
How many times did Lucy have to change her dress and hair? That was so odd.
The talent lacked and the acts went on way too long. Gio is talented but even his performance was longer than it should have been. Lindsey Sterling makes the dance while playing her violin lovely. Gio just did a bunch of scoops but he sure plays the instrument well.
The nurses and the cops both were silly, corny and Chase can’t sing.
Trina has a good voice, Joss gets by.
A lot of storylines suffered from moving to conclusion by giving the ball four days.
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Ok Karen
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Love the Nurses Ball just the way it was. Loved The Look song with the cops and Chase. Funny and good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You must be new to GH. Things that usually happen at the Nurses Ball are 10 Lucy Coe has multiple dress changes and 2) it always ends with Lucy somehow being compromised by showing up in her underwear. I'm still waiting for that!
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That was supposed to be 1) not 10. Forgot to shift. . .
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