'All My Children' moving to LA

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Production on the long-running daytime soap opera "All My Children" is set to move from New York to Los Angeles at the end of the year, ABC said.

The final date of production in New York is to be Dec. 11.

The show is slated to begin taping in Los Angeles Jan. 4 and it will celebrate its 40th anniversary Jan. 5.

Cast members confirmed to make the move with the show to the spacious Andrita Studios are Brittany Allen, David Canary, Bobbie Eakes, Melissa Claire Egan, Stephanie Gatschet, Ricky Paull Goldin, Vincent Irizarry, Michael E. Knight, Susan Lucci, Jamie Luner, Adam Mayfield, J.R. Martinez, Cameron Mathison, Debbi Morgan, Cornelius Smith, Jr., Denise Vasi, Darnell Williams and Jacob Young.

"Ray MacDonnell has announced that he will be retiring," the network said in a news release. "We wish him well and our heartfelt congratulations. Thorsten Kaye will not be relocating to Los Angeles, and Alicia Minshew will be on maternity leave beginning November 2009. She will continue to appear on air through the month of December. Appearances by actors on recurring status will be determined by storyline needs and availability."