'America's Sweetheart' Sparkles on Edgerton Stage

Debbie Reynolds, leading lady of the Golden Age of films, entertained a sold-out crowd at Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts Sunday night in an “Actors Studio-style” presentation.

In response to questions posed by Executive Director Jerry Goehring, Reynolds proved her range of talent by interspersing impersonations of legendary performers Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West and Katharine Hepburn with often comedic anecdotes detailing both her personal and professional lives.

Appearing in a resplendent cobalt-blue sparkling dress, and demonstrating the same kind of perky, upbeat spirit displayed in more than 50 films, Reynolds surprised fans by spontaneously singing bits and pieces of songs she made famous, such as “Tammy.”

“I think that she showed a lot of energy, vitality and good looks,” said Kathy Renzulli of Westport.

Though Reynolds shared that she has used prayer to overcome adversity in her life, her comments Sunday night were also peppered with some bawdy humor, especially when she was referring to the late Eddie Fisher’s infamous infidelity with Elizabeth Taylor.

Fans of various ages flocked from all over Fairfield County for the opportunity to see Reynolds in person.

Barbara and Bob Friend, of Fairfield, said that when they were on their honeymoon in Miami in 1955 they met Reynolds and her new husband Eddie Fisher. “Everyone crowded around them and we said, ‘Hello,’ ” Barbara said. “I’ve seen all of her movies.”

Nancy Miller, of Shelton, said she came to see Reynolds, who has been dubbed "America’s Sweetheart,” for nostalgic reasons.

People are also curious about Reynolds’s extensive personal collection of Hollywood memorabilia that will be sold in an auction at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles on June 18. For more than 50 years, Reynolds has preserved 4,000 costumes and countless props and set pieces from some of Hollywood’s popular films. A catalog describing all of the items is available at www.debbiereynolds.com. Because of the size of Reynolds’ collection, a second auction will take place in December.

Reminiscing on her start in show business, when she was discovered by a talent scout at a beauty pageant, Reynolds admitted that she didn’t know how to dance when she was cast at the age of 17 opposite Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Born in Texas, and raised in Burbank, Reynolds had never taken any performing arts classes before joining MGM Studios as a teen. It was there that her formal training began as she appeared in movies and attended academic classes alongside Elizabeth Taylor on the studio lot.

Though she was only 16 when she began her career, Reynolds brought a strong work ethic along with her innate talent to the silver screen. She explained that her days on the set of “Singin’ In The Rain” began at 8 a.m. with dance lessons. She had five teachers who taught her jazz, ballet and tap each day. “I had to study, study, study to really learn Gene Kelly’s style,” Reynolds said.

Discussing various film and television projects — including an Emmy-Award winning turn on television’s “Will and Grace” — Reynolds’ obvious commitment to her craft and overall integrity are apparent.

Nudged by Goehring to talk about a controversy that occurred when she quit “The Debbie Reynolds Show,” Reynolds explained that she abruptly left her contract when the producers refused to comply with their initial agreement to ban cigarette advertisements.

“I had been a smoker but I quit because I knew it was addictive and I knew it wasn’t good for me,” Reynolds explained. “I told them that I don’t want to say to young people that this is all right to do.”

Reynolds’ voice cracked, and she became teary, when Goehring inquired about a philanthropic organization that raises money for charities, especially national mental health organizations. When she was 18, Reynolds founded the group with other actors. Raising more than $39 million, Reynolds helped to build the Thalian Mental Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai for emotionally disturbed children. She told the audience that this is where her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, receives treatments.

Reynolds' turbulent relationship with her daughter is chronicled in Fisher’s books and plays. However, in a montage of movie clips shown Sunday night, which was compiled by Fisher for Turner Classics, an obvious admiration and deep love are also aptly conveyed. In the narration, Fisher refers to Reynolds as someone who juggled the roles of full-time mother and “movie star” with aplomb.

Reynolds told the audience that she “loves to entertain” and continues to show up and “go wherever they tell me to go to work.” This includes supplying the voice for animated features, such as the title role in “Charlotte’s Web.”

“It’s the ham in me,” she said, smiling. “It’s something inside of me in my heart. It’s a pulse.”

And, yes, Reynolds spoke candidly about her feelings about Elizabeth Taylor following her close friend’s betrayal. She explained that the affair with Fisher occurred after Taylor’s beloved husband Mike Todd tragically died in an accident. Reynolds sent her husband to Taylor to console her.

“I make jokes about it, but when you go and help someone, you’re heart goes out to that person,” Reynolds said. “And, let’s face it, Elizabeth was the most beautiful woman in the world. I can understand it now but I didn’t understand it back then.”

A trouper on stage and on film, and also in her personal life, Reynolds said that she survived by moving forward. “I have God in my life,” she said. “Having faith is important. Having family and friends is important. We have to be strong and firm in our convictions and then we’ll make it. We always make it.”