A Blast From the Past With ATWT’s Colleen Zenk!
Soap fans remember Colleen Zenk best from her 32-year run as Barbara Ryan on AS THE WORLD TURNS. But the actress has also appeared on Broadway, singing and dancing alongside Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor in Bring Back Birdie, as well as on the big screen with Albert Finney and Carol Burnett in the movie musical Annie.
Zenk also appeared in numerous television commercials, and was delighted when an Instagram account resurfaced the 1982 ad she did for L’eggs Sheer Energy Pantyhose! On the busy floor of the stock exchange, Zenk’s trader declares that after eight hours of this job, she’s exhausted, but her legs feel fantastic because of her pantyhose. And she demonstrates how great she feels by dancing around the halls!
The ad was shot in 1982 at the beginning of her time on ATWT, and Zenk admitted she wasn’t quite sure exactly who choreographed her fabulous moves. “I’m pretty sure it was the wonderful late Tony Stevens,” she mused on Facebook. “I did several spots for him including my Dr. Pepper commercial. Then, in 201, I did Summer Stock NYC with him and he recreated the original Fosse choreography from Sweet Charity for my “I’m a Brass Band.”
While ATWT fans still dearly miss their favorite soap, it’s always nice when clips from it or commercials like this one featuring its stars, pop up unexpectedly online. So enjoy this blast from the past!
