This week welcomed back one of the most beloved soap opera traditions: The General Hospital Nurses’ Ball. The annual event has been a part of the show’s zeitgeist for more than 30 years, and is often a mix of drama and entertainment that gives the show’s normal drama an exciting shake-up. But this year’s program was meant to feature one of the best performances ever attempted, thanks to fan favorite, Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot). The legendarily stern and unpredictable matriarch was meant to perform a high-end musical number that would certainly have challenged the stereotype of her character, and would have been an all-time Nurses’ Ball highlight. However, plans were hindered in an unexpected way, leaving the performance Tracy-less, and fans in the lurch.
The Nurse’s Ball began in 1994, helmed by Port Charles’ own Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring). In true General Hospital tradition, it was part of a storyline that bravely tackled the HIV/AIDs crisis of the period. Despite the ever-growing number of cases, few TV shows took on the subject, but the ABC soap had no problem making the crisis an integral part of its storytelling. It typically takes place throughout a few episodes, and it is meant to not only raise money for HIV/AIDs research funding within the show’s fictional universe, but also discuss the topic in an age before TV shows and movies were readily discussing the pandemic. Even during this year’s run, Lucy acknowledges how the subject of HIV/AIDs research may not seem as much of a pressing issue as it was 31 years ago, but urges both the characters and viewers to continue the important battle against the disease.
As far as the structure of the Nurses Ball episodes goes, they are typically filled with glitz and glamour, as it is one of Port Charles’ biggest annual events. There’s a red carpet portion, which this year featured a lot of drama, and is followed by the hospital’s employees and citizens of the town putting on lavish performances. It’s always a fun series of episodes, as the show’s characters typically step out of their comfort zone for their segments, and Tracy’s was set to be one of the greatest of all time, until an unexpected drama reared its head.
While all General Hospital characters are constantly surrounded by drama, there are few who seek it out quite as frequently as Tracy. Her prickly personality and brash desires have made her not only one of General Hospital’s most beloved characters but one of the greatest soap opera characters of all time. That being said, Tracy does have a lighter side, albeit one often reserved for her family and closest friends. Often manifesting in a tough love way, we’ve rarely gotten to see Tracy cut loose, but her performance at the Nurse’s Ball was meant to remedy that.
Teaming up with Anna DeVane (Finola Hughes), Lucy, and Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner), the show has been Tracy’s big number for a few weeks now, even going as far as to show us her striking a pose in rehearsal for her big moment, before cutting away. It’s safe to say that many viewers were excited for her big moment, but, while walking the red carpet, series villain, Drew (Cameron Mathison), further proved why he’s earned his untrustworthy status.
