home | actors | characters | forum | gallery | guestbook | library | links

THE GOSSIP: BIRTHDAY BOY
by Pat Sellers
Soap Opera Weekly
December 28, 1999

Vincent Irizarry (David, AMC) and his wife, Avalon, are among the most happily married couples I know, so I was delighted to be invited with a few other friends, including Jay Hammer (ex-Fletcher Reade, GL), to the party she threw for his birthday at Rosie's Too, a West Side piano bar where Vincent would be able to show off the talent that had wowed the crowds down at Disney World over Super Soap Weekend.

Vincent told me the funniest story. Prior to the Disney weekend, he'd been worried about freezing from stage fright since he hadn't performed in front of an audience in five years. So one night, just to test himself, he burst into song on the subway, performing U2's Love Rescue Me for a carful of stunned subway riders during the express run between 42nd and 72nd streets. "It timed out perfectly -- the song ended just as we pulled into the stop. A few people applauded and I sad, 'Thanks, I don't want your money, just have a great weekend.' "

The night of his party, he at first balked at participating in Rosie's "Open Mike Night," claiming his voice wasn't in shape for an impromptu performance. I felt bad for Avalon. who had spent hours combing the city for the perfect venue. But Vincent eventually had a change of heart -- or he just didn't want to disappoint his honey -- because he ended up doing Love Rescue Me -- a cappella, since the pianist didn't have the music -- plus Bobby Darin's hit Beyond the Sea, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera and This is the Moment from Jekyll & Hyde. He brought down the house -- or, rather, the bar. I told him that with his looks and his voice he'd be perfect to play Jekyll/Hyde, and he confided he'd love to do it. His vocal coach, Thaddeus Motyka, who has also taught Vincent's so-stars David Canary and Julia Barr (Adam/Stuart and Brooke) and Catherine Hickland (Lindsay, OLTL), told me he thinks Vincent will be ready for it within the year. Believe me, if he does, that will be a real moment on Broadway. #