I've always imagined that Port Charles, New York was modeled after my hometown of Rochester, New York. After all, we have the same area code, we're on the water, and didn't Luke and Laura drive right down Main Street in a pink Cadillac? Didn't Lucky hide out in a local park? And weren't we mobular once?

Despite the similarities, Port Charles residents rarely come here. So it was a thrill to have four of General Hospital's finest -- Steve Burton, Brandon Barash, Bradford Anderson, and Scott Reeves -- as the band Port Chuck -- appear on stage at the Water Street Music Hall on September 1, 2011.

The Venue

Water Street Music Hall is actually two nightclubs, one small and one large. The concert was held in the larger venue, which a big version of Jake's. It's dark, it has a bar along one wall, a stage along another wall, and in front of the stage are seats. Behind the seats is where people stood who purchased the cheap tickets. In the end, it didn't matter how much you paid. Everybody stood through 98% of the concert. It was just that kind of night.

Port Chuck Speaks

Of course, for graciousness, humor, and charm, you can't beat the General Hospital actors, and despite having to do a big show and sing their hearts out, the actors not only spoke individually to audience members, posed for photos, and signed autographs, but they did a Q&A from the stage. We also were able to hear, as a warm-up, the number that they are preparing for the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. "We really want your feedback," Bradford Anderson tells us. "We don't want to look bad up there." They are terrific.

During the Q&A, inquiring minds found out a few things:

Steve Burton:

Jason Morgan will not wake up as Jason Quartermaine;

Jason and Sam are getting married before they work on the baby;

Jason MAY take off his shirt during the honeymoon;

They weren't sure what the audience was seeing at the moment as they tape about six weeks ahead so that the band can tour, but we were assured that Spinelli's breakthrough while sitting with Jason was awesome (which it was).
Brandon Barash:

Johnny joked that he wants to be with Josslyn Jacks.

Barash really loved working with Brianna Brown, who played Lisa Niles, and he liked how suited Johnny and Lisa were to one another. As proof of Brown's acting ability, he comments: "Everybody hated her. So she's a good actress." Johnny, he continues, doesn't thrive in stability. He's not sure if he's going to be with Abby, and no, he doesn't think he'll be with Skye.

Barash adores working with Bruce Weitz, who is constantly cracking him up. Barash lets Weitz get to him all during rehearsal so that when they tape, it's out of his system.

They plan on continuing their activities as Port Chuck.
Scott Reeves:

Secrets from Steven's past in Memphis are going to be revealed, and there will be big trouble. So we can look forward to Steve Webber finally getting a storyline.
Bradford Anderson

When asked about his new daughter, Anderson lamented that he hadn't seen her in a week and a half. But he's thrilled to be a dad. He wore his glasses and looked adorable.
Port Charles Rocks

Once Port Chuck started performing, the applause, the screams, the clapping to the beat -- it all was beyond deafening. The band's energy is not to be believed. None of them let up for a second. The audience was complimented frequently about how we were the greatest audience they'd come across. Okay, maybe they say that to everyone, but we were very receptive. Brandon directed us in being softer and louder with his arms.

All four guys sing, with Reeves on guitar, and Barash on harmonica during some songs. We were introduced to their back-up band as well, who handle the guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums, and are fabulous.

Songs included "Don't Hate Me So," "Hallelah" (which Reeves sang before the bus accident on GH), "Don't You Want Me, Baby," "Come Together," "I'll Be There," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Honky Tonk Blues," "American Girl," "There's No One Like You," and for the finale, "I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll." Bradford Anderson did a bang-up job on "Billie Jean." Reeves is very physically active throughout, walking over to the back-up band and really grooving on the music.

All four men look just as they do on the show. Often you meet actors who photograph differently, look tall and are really short, look short and are really tall, but not this group. This was my first time meeting Scott Reeves and Steve Burton, and all I can say is - WOW! Burton is so unlike Jason in person: smiling, warm, and charming, with a great sense of humor.

After the show, there was a meet and greet for the ticket level under ours. Apparently Burton, Anderson, Reeves, and Barash never get tired. They ride in a huge van ("it sleeps 12; there are 13 of us" Burton points out) and were due to perform in Orlando on September 3. A grueling schedule.

The Bottom Line

So who watches soap operas these days? Well, Mr. Frons, it must be a lot of people, because that show was sold out and people were advertising to see if anyone had a ticket they weren't using. Was it a bunch of old people? Heck no. I was probably the oldest one there. Lots of that important demographic were in attendance. Do any of them want to spend money a year from now to see a cooking demonstration by Mario Batali? I don't think so.

If you want to hear Port Chuck (their tour ended September 5), you can download their CD or buy it at here. I highly recommend them. I'm so proud to be a General Hospital fan.