'80s Soap Stars, Still Making Sparks (and Fur) Fly

As for remembering the Luke-and-Laura wedding episode, "I have the feeling that people have hung their own histories around that date somehow," Geary says. "I know that so many people come up to me and remember exactly where they were and what they were doing and that college classes were called off for the day, or they left work and rushed home to catch it because it was kind of before VCRs were very big."

Not that Geary, 59, counts himself among those nostalgics. "I wasn't really aware that it was the 25th anniversary until they told me," he says. "It's not a date that I mark in my personal calendar."

Blackwell says she thinks "it was the very contemporary quality of the two of them that really captured people's imagination."

"I always think that part of what we enjoy about soap operas so much is watching couples encounter many, many difficulties just as we all do in our lives, but it's inspiring to see how Luke's love for Laura is so enduring," she says.

And what about Krystle and Alexis? Is their animosity so enduring?

Certainly memories of their verbal and physical fights for the affection of glamorous tycoon Blake Carrington (John Forsythe) must underscore the characters that the actresses portray in "Legends!" The play's aging divas, Leatrice and Sylvia, cling to their glamour and celebrity in hopes of being cast in a new play, but are still unable to curb their mutual animosity.

Promos for "Legends!" tout the soap stars' reunion in this "classic catfight comedy."

"No physical fight -- it's not like 'Dynasty,' " Evans says. "You cannot do that 300 times" onstage. "I'm in my 60s and [Collins is] in her 70s. That would not be the best plan.

"We definitely fight, but it's fun, it's a comedy," laughs Evans, who just turned 64. (Collins is 73.)

Nolan Miller designed the stars' costumes for the play, just as he did for "Dynasty" when producer Aaron Spelling put few limits on the extravagant wardrobe budget.

Having known Evans since the 1960s, when they worked together on the western soap "The Big Valley," Miller suggested that the play's director, John Bowab, approach her about reuniting with Collins. Evans loved the idea and took on the challenge, even though she'd never acted onstage.

Miller, who now sells his clothes and jewelry on QVC, has no doubts pinpointing why audiences are coming to "Legends!"

"It's to see Joan and Linda. . . . It's very amusing, like an episode of 'Dynasty.' "

As for the reunion of Luke and Laura, Geary says he's not surprised that every opportunity has been used to "exploit" the memories.

"We caught lightning in the bottle the first time," he says. "I'm just grateful that anybody cares. I mean, 25 years later, that is kind of amazing."