Contract News!		LoCicero is in Port Charles to stay!
Soaps In Depth can exclusively reveal that Lisa LoCicero has been placed on contract as GENERAL HOSPITAL's Olivia! "She is on contract, and we are excited," says a spokesperson for the show. Although the terms of the deal have not been disclosed, LoCicero's castmates are reportedly thrilled that the actress has moved up from a recurring player — just as the Sonny/Olivia/Johnny triangle begins to pick up steam! LoCicero joined the GH cast in September 2008 as Kate's cousin… and the mother of Sonny's unknown son!

Back Again!		Anthony is back — but not for long!
Look for Bruce Weitz to make an appearance as GENERAL HOSPITAL's jailed mobster, Anthony Zacchara, on Friday, July 10. Weitz was last seen in March when Claudia and Johnny's maniacal father was carted off to prison.

Event Called Off!		Herbst will still appear at the main fan event.
Sorry, GENERAL HOSPITAL fans, but Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) won't be hosting a party during the show's fan club weekend. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Becky's annual soiree, originally scheduled for July 16, 2009, will not be taking place this year," announces her website. "Any money orders received will be fully reimbursed. We're very sorry for any inconvenience and disappointment and still hope to see you at the GHFC Luncheon!"

How Long Will Jerry Stay?		Will Claudia be able to kill Jerry this time?
Not rain, sleet, snow or car bomb can keep GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Jerry Jacks from returning to Port Charles! Sebastian Roche brings Jax's brother back to town in late July for a short visit. "Glad to be back," the actor Twittered. "Looks like I'm gonna be up to no good."

Meet and Greet!		March would love to meet you!
Forbes March (ex-Nash, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) will be hosting a fan event on Saturday, July 25, from 1-4 p.m. EST. It will take place at the Ahepa Lodge, which is located at 1156 Jasper Street in Largo, FL, 33770. Tickets are $50 in advance or $75 at the door. The price includes lunch, a Q&A session, door prizes and an autograph session. Mail checks payable to Designers Image c/o Patti Werynski, 10215 Regal Drive #5, Largo, FL 33774. For more information, E-mail designers.image@hotmail.com.

Cristian's Mom Is Recast!		Santiago is moving back to Llanview.
ONE LIFE TO LIVE confirms that Patricia Mauceri has been replaced by Saundra Santiago in the recurring role of Cristian's mom, Carlotta. Soaps In Depth hears that Santiago — who previously played OLTL's Isobella Santi and GUIDING LIGHT's Carmen Santos — is currently slated to appear in a handful of episodes. Although ABC would not comment on the reason for the recast, sources report that Mauceri wanted the soap to rewrite a brief upcoming scene in which Carlotta mistakenly believes Cristian to be gay. The actress reportedly refused to play Carlotta as gay-friendly because it conflicts with her personal beliefs, and the soap refused to rewrite the scene, instead opting to recast the role.

Fan Event Off!		Berman's good news is bad news for fans!
GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers who were hoping to meet Julie Marie Berman (Lulu) at the event she's slated to host during the soap's fan weekend on July 17 better make other plans! The ingénue has landed a role in the movie Rachel's Return… which is great news for her, but has led to a major conflict with the event! "Unfortunately, [the film] will be shooting throughout the weekend," says the GH Fan Club newsletter. "She has tried every way possible to work out a schedule that would allow her to do her event, but it has proved impossible, so it has had to be cancelled." Berman plans to work on both the movie and GH this summer, so don't worry about seeing Lulu disappear!

AMC Alum Switches Soaps!		Lowry left AMC in 2000.
Former ALL MY CHILDREN star Michael Lowry (ex-Jake) is headed to Llanview! A spokesperson for ONE LIFE TO LIVE confirms that Lowry will join the soap on a recurring basis later this summer playing "someone from the past." Any guesses who it could be? Since leaving AMC, Lowry has also appeared as AS THE WORLD TURNS' Les and THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's Dr. Hillman.

Benard Picks A Flick!		Benard is making a Confession.
GENERAL HOSPITAL's Maurice Benard (Sonny) is coming to a theater near you! The actor has landed a role in the independent film Confession, which begins filming in Los Angeles in late June. The film stars the Emmy winner as a man bent on seeking revenge for the death of his sister 25 years earlier. "It's a great script, and I am looking forward to tackling this role," he tells Soaps In Depth. To find out how the new gig will affect Benard's GH schedule, be sure to check out the next ABC issue, on sale June 29!

He's Baaack!		Can David mend Dorian's broken heart?
Once again, Tuc Watkins is bringing David back to ONE LIFE TO LIVE! A show rep confirms that the actor will briefly reprise his role later this summer but couldn't yet give an exact air date.

All Aboard!		Sun, sand, and soap stars — what could be better?
The Second Annual Rick Springfield & Friends Sun Dazed & Star Filled Nights Cruise is scheduled for November 12-16, 2009. Stars attending include —duh— Rick Springfield (ex-Noah, GENERAL HOSPITAL), Brandon Barash (Johnny, GH) and Doug Davidson (Paul, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS). The cruise will leave from Miami and head to Cozumel, Mexico. On-board events include a full concert and intimate, unplugged concerts performed by Springfield, Q&A sessions with all the actors, and photograph and autograph opportunities. For more information, visit www. rickspringfieldcruise.com.

He's Dancing on OLTL's Ceiling!		Richie also appeared on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS in 2001.
Lionel Richie will be making an appearance on ONE LIFE TO LIVE! The singer/songwriter taped an episode on the ABC soap on June 12 to air later this summer! Richie's guest gig is part of ABC Daytime's summer campaign to market music throughout soap operas. In addition to Richie's OLTL appearance, the network and SOAPnet will be sponsoring country crooner Sara Evans' summer concert tour.

Have Lunch With Zach!		Kaye's a talented poet, too!
Thorsten Kaye (Zach, ALL MY CHILDREN) will be hosting a buffet luncheon and book signing for his new book of children’s poetry, A Solid Wheel Of Colored Ribbons, on Saturday, July 25, from 1-4 p.m. EST. The event will take place at Trinity restaurant, located at 306 Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, NJ. Tickets cost $110. For more information, visit www.thorstenkaye.com.

Cruise With The Stars!		Set sail with GH's Jason Thompson (Patrick)!
Good news for fans who loved the Rock The Soap cruise and those who were sad they missed out. Rock The Soap 2 is scheduled for Friday, April 9, to Monday, April 12, 2010! For more information, log onto www.rockthesoap.com.

Meet Tyler Christopher!		Christopher would love to have a fun evening with you.
GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) is hosting the Seventh Annual Theater 68 Fundraiser on Friday, July 17, in Van Nuys, CA. The event runs from 8-11 p.m. PST and will take place at the Airtel Plaza Hotel And Conference Center, located at 7727 Valjean Ave. Check-in begins at 7 p.m. PST. Tickets are $80. For more information or to purchase tickets on-line, visit www.tylerchristopher.com. To order tickets by mail, send a check or money order to: Sheri Evans, Tyler Event, 4315 Coldwater Canyon Ave. #12, Studio City, CA 91604.