Soap News: GH’s Dante and Olivia visit Toronto and Casting Updates

— Great news for General Hospital fans in the Toronto area. Hamilton’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and his co-star, Lisa LoCicero (Olivia), will be in town next month for a special meet and greet. The event will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel. Tickets are priced at $125 each and benefit the Children’s Wish Foundation. For more information about the event (as well as Brunch and Ball with the Toronto Blue Jays), check out the website at http://www.childrenswish.dantefans.com. 

— Lisa LoCicero is also going to be guest starring on Bones‘ new season (third episode). Rumor has it that she’ll play the mother of Jersey Shore‘sThe Situation!

— As The World Turns‘ Maura West (Carly) is headed to The Young and the Restless as a recast (and much younger) Diane Jenkins. The role was originated by Alexis Donnelley (1982-1984, 1986, 1996-2001) and later by Susan Walters who played the role from 2001-2004 and again for a two episodes stint earlier this year. West begins taping on September 1 and will first appear on screen on Thursday, October 7th (on the Canadian episode; a day later in the US).

— The Young and the Restless has also recast the role of Noah Newman. Gossip Girl‘s Luke Kleintank will take over the role of Nick and Sharon’s grown up son on September 21st. 

— Melissa Reeves is headed back to Days of our Lives as Jennifer this September. No word yet if Matthew Ashford will return as Jack.

— If not Jack, what about Frankie? Turns out that the rumors of Billy Warlock returning to DAYS as Frankie Brady are untrue. Co-Executive Producer Gary Tomlin told Soap Opera Digest that there are no current plans to bring Frankie back. Warlock, who is currently airing on As The World Turns as Blackthorne, has begun taping at One Life to Live as the new Russ. Warlock’s term at OLTL is expected to be short term.

— Fans hoping to catch Stacy Haiduk (ex-Patty/Emily, Y&R) on DAYS are out of luck. The actress has been let go by the soap due to a scheduling conflict after she booked Fox’s Ride-Along. Gina Gellego (ex-Santana, Santa Barbara; ex-Gina, B&B; ex-Gina, Generations) will now play the role of prison warden Smith.

— Robin Mattson (ex-Janet, AMC; ex-Heather, GH; ex-Cheri, ATWT) has been cast on DAYS as Lee and will be involved in a prison storyline.

— Camila Banus (ex-Lola, OLTL) will replace Gabriela Rodriguez as Gabi on DAYS.

— All My Children‘s Susan Lucci is penning her autobiography. HarperCollins will publish the book next year.