LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP by Lynda Hirsch on Creators.com

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LYNDA HIRSCH ON SOAPS -- GOSSIP

There is a whole lot of shaking going on for David Lago (Raul, "Young and Restless") these days. He is playing his idol, Elvis Presley, in the smash hit production "Million Dollar Quartet" at the Apollo Theater in Chicago.

Lago learned a lot about Presley a few years ago when he went up for the role of Elvis in a television movie about the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The role went to Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("The Tudors"). All the research made Lago a major Presley fan. "In the early years of his career, he was a country boy, almost naive," Lago remarks.

"Million Dollar Quartet" takes place on the day that Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came together for jam session at Sun Records. Sam Phillips owned the storefront record company and discovered the four singers, who would go on to become mega stars. "At the time, Presley was being courted by Col. Parker," explains Lago, "but he felt comfortable with Phillips." Learning about the session at Sun Records, Elvis dropped in. The session is considered one of the most historic nights in music history. Says Lago, "It was 1956. It was before Presley went into the Army. After his discharge, Elvis seemed to change directions in his life."

For his audition, Lago sang "Peace in the Valley" and read some pages from the production. Next to acting, Lago loves singing and making music. In this production, he gets to do it all. The guitar-playing is the real thing. No soundtrack or behind-the-scenes musicians.

"I have been singing all my life so this is just a great opportunity." He admits he has never done a 90-minute show without interruption for eight performances a week. Some days, there are two performances. "I am worried about my voice holding out." To make sure it does, he is drinking water, hot tea and taking lozenges. The California-born actor admits Chicago is a lot colder than anything else he is used to.

"Million Dollar Quartet" is not meant to be an imitation of the fabled singers, according to Lago. "The show is designed to re-create that night and offer the essence of the performers."

Last year, rumors abounded that he was going to play Sonny's son Dante on "General Hospital." "I thought I had a chance.

To work with Maurice Benard would have been wonderful. The press practically had a contract signed, sealed and delivered. I knew what was going on behind closed doors. The press didn't," he says. "Yes, I was disappointed when I did not get the role. I believe things happen for a reason and work out the way they are supposed to. If I had gotten the role, I would not be doing this amazing project."

Since leaving "Y&R," Lago has had a lot of amazing projects. He has acted and produced several independent films. One, "Artistic License," has won several major awards at independent film festivals all over the country.

"I like having control," he admits. "I am easy-going, but I love being able to make decisions and keeping things together."

In fact, Lago just likes being on a stage set, be it a play, movie or soap.

After winning the best younger actor Emmy for daytime, Lago found himself without a job. "I was sorry to see it end," he says. As for his six-episode comeback last year, he enjoyed the visit. What are the chances of Raul returning? "When I was released in 2005, they could have killed him off in an accident. Instead, they sent him off to college so he could always return."

Asked bout his Emmy acceptance speech, Lago explains: "At the time, Christopher Walken was very popular. I did not prepare a speech. I had been nominated a lot of times before and I didn't win. I didn't expect to win this time, so I did this imitation from a speech Walken made in 'Catch Me If You Can.' People who do not know me wondered if I was on drugs, drunk, unappreciative of my cast mates. Anyone who knows me knows none of that was true. The people who thought any of those things were wrong. I think was right to give that speech. I was just having fun. I was not disrespecting the award or the people I work with. That is so not me."

What he is is someone who loves to work and is thrilled to be working in a project he loves.

For information on tickets for "Million Dollar Quartet," which is slated to run through May, call (773) 935-6100 or contact Ticketmaster.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.