Gio and Nurses’ Ball 2025 Refresh “General Hospital”

Giovanni Mazza, fiddler at the ball

I’ve become quite aggravated of late with my old favorite, “General Hospital.” Its writers have been overdoing violence: first with the murder of Sam (played by Kelly Monaco) during an organ transplant, then with the on-screen burning of Michael (played by Chad Duell) and finally with the shooting of murderer Cyrus (played by Jeff Kober) by young Josslyn (played by Eden McCoy).

Worst of all for feminist Marlena was the catfight “GH” staged between dueling grandmothers Carly (played by Laura Wright) and Nina (played by Cynthia Watros) over the custody of Michael and Willow’s kids. Going back to the ’90s, when catfights became common occurrences on soaps, I’ve been strongly opposed to them, and have said so frequently. Many of my readers evidently agree; my column titled “Ban Catfights” was one of my most popular ever. A woman should never hit another woman in a medium that was founded by women and traditionally has a female audience. So, shame on “GH” for reviving this horrid practice!

Is there hope for “General Hospital”? Of course there is! Let me do a 360 here and enthuse that I absolutely loved the four Nurses’ Ball episodes last week. As you know, the ball was founded in 1994 by Lucy Coe (played by Lynn Herring) and Lee Mathis (played by the late actor and AIDS activist Jon Hanley, himself a victim of the scourge), to benefit AIDS research. Sponsoring the 2025 event was the wealthy potential villain Sidwell (played by Carlo Roda). This year, the writers expertly blended traditional musical and dance performances by cast members with important plot turns.

A highlight of the ball has always been Lucy’s striptease down to her underwear. This year, though, her lingerie reveal didn’t happen. Instead, we were treated to an incredibly powerful show-stopper from the teen violinist Gio (played by Giovanni Mazza).  Before his performance at the ball, Gio learned from investigative reporter Lulu (played by Alexa Havins Bruening) that his true parents are Brook Lynn Quartermaine (played by Amanda Setton) and Dante Falconeri (played by Dominic Zamprogna). Overcome with rage, Gio smashed his instrument on the floor while shouting: “They are my real parents, and they didn’t care! They gave me away!” His natural grandmother Lois (played by Rena Sofer) stood by in tears.

The explosive and handsome Mazza is yet another terrific discovery of master “GH” casting director Mark Teschner. The actor grew up playing his violin to delighted audiences in unlikely places — like at a Los Angeles Lakers game.  The kid has it all: hunky looks, musical skill, and acting talent.

The rest of the ball consisted of cleverly choreographed musical numbers by the nurses, the policeman Chase (played by Josh Swickard), and other men in the cast, most notably a cowboy-hatted Damian Spinelli (played by Bradford Anderson). I’ve always loved his quirky performances. This time, he led the women, including Felicia (played by Kristina Wagner) and Anna (played by Finola Hughes), in a spirited rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking.”

During the ball, the writers pulled off yet another unexpected plot twist by having Chase arrest Tracy Quartermaine (played by the incomparable Jane Elliot) for the drugging of Drew (played by Cameron Mathison). Tough talking Tracy talked her way out of it and was released from the police station.

Best of all, the ball concluded with a complete surprise. While the small children of the cast were performing an adorable children’s song, Michael (now played by Rory Gibson), who had been badly burned and was in Europe recovering, suddenly burst in. Michael’s son Wiley (played by Viron Weaver) took one look at him and jumped into his arms, and the two walked away. What a wonderful and emotional reunion!

So, the audience favorite Nurses’ Ball is over for another year. Let’s just hope that TBTB at “GH” realize how much better “GH” is when it’s about love and entertainment, not sexism and violence.