Published: July 24, 2009

Reynolds brings act to Zelie

By Bob Schultz
Eagle Staff Writer

ZELIENOPLE — Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds showed just why she became so successful in the entertainment industry, putting her wit, style, sense of humor and singing talent all on display for the crowd attending her opening performance at the Strand Theater Thursday evening.
"Can you really believe they got me here." Reynolds quipped.
Having just turned 78 in April, the star of the stage and big screen said she still travels 42 weeks a year with her show.
"People offer me a job, I go there." Reynolds charmed the crowd with her humor, poking fun at the town's name, her three failed marriages and telling stories of her experiences in Hollywood in between singing songs from her movies and from some of her favorite artists.
The Thursday show was added due to popular demand and leads into her three weekend shows for the theater's grand opening celebration.
Reynolds even performed a country medley that included "Crazy," by Patsy Cline, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," by Crystal Gayle and "Always on My Mind" by Willie Nelson.
"This is an adorable little theater," said Reynolds, who had joked earlier in the show that it was the smallest theater she ever performed in and that she was standing where the stage was going to be. "It's not only going to help people in show business, but in life."
She closed out the show with a tribute to her friend and favorite actress, Judy Garland.
Eric McCandless from Harmony said he came out to the show because he wanted to be a part of the opening week festivities.
He was one of the audience members to take part in a meet and greet event with Reynolds after the show. He said he planned get an autograph for his granddaughter for her scrapbook.
Lois Blagg came to the show with a group of ladies from the Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople and was front and center for the variety show. She and her friends were excited about the show. "We all grew up with her," Blagg said.
Chuck Crowell, who splits his time between Slippery Rock and Boca Raton, Fla., said he has been a big fan of Reynolds and has followed her career, having first seen her perform in 1951 as a young stage artist. He described her as a wonderful entertainer.
Reynolds performed a routine of singing, dancing and showing clips from some of her most important roles, including "Singin' in the Rain," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," and several other films.
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Longtime Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds takes the stage Thursday as the Strand Theater in Zelienople marks its reopening. A ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded her performance. The theater has undergone a $1.5 million renovation and more work is planned for the future.
DAVE PRELOSKY/BUTLER EAGLE
Born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas, in 1932, she was 10 when her family moved to California when her father took a job on a railroad.
She won the Miss Burbank beauty pageant at age 16, and signed a contract shortly thereafter, thanks to a flip of a coin. Two of the pageant judges were from movie studios and recognized her potential. Warner Bros. won the coin toss.
Jack Warner changed her first name to Debbie. It had been suggested that her last name also be changed, to Morgan, but Reynolds adamantly refused.
Her personal life had been tumultuous at times. Although not an official member, she often socialized in the same circles as the late Frank Sinatra and the "Rat Pack" and starred with him in "The Tender Trap." She said during the show that he was so handsome and a good kisser, too.
She has been married three times and divorced three times — to Eddie Fisher, Harry Karl and Richard Hamlett. Her daughter, Carrie Fisher, is an actress who is well-known for her roles in the "Star Wars" trilogy, "When Harry Met Sally" and other films.
Before Reynolds' performance, a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday marked the reopening of the theater.
On hand were representatives of the USDA Rural Development, which provided $400,000 to complete the $1.5 million renovation: $100,000 in the form of a grant, and a $300,000 long-term, low-interest loan.
"We are immensely grateful to the USDA Rural Development for their support of this project, which will serve a large area of rural communities in southwestern Pennsylvania," said Ron Carter, president and executive director of the nonprofit Strand Theater Initiative.
"Because of them, we were able to complete Phase 1 of The Strand's renovation, and create a functional facility that had previously been dark and vacant for 25 years," Carter said.
Future planned construction at the theater includes a stage house to enable The Strand to host full-scale theatrical productions and multipurpose center with a parking deck to be used for black box theater, dance and acting schools and private functions.
"The Strand is now open and serving the community thanks to the USDA Rural Development, and all of those that have been working so tirelessly over the years to make it happen," Carter said.
The Strand opened its doors to the public for the first time July 16 with the presentation of "Mystery in the Library," a children's interactive play.
Its grand opening celebration continued with performances by The Joe Negri quartet and the middle-school musical group The Pop Rocks during Zelienople's annual Horse Trading Days.
A fashion show and wine and cheese tasting event and a Silent Film Festival led up the performances by Reynolds.

IF YOU'RE GOING
WHAT: Debbie Reynolds variety show
WHEN: 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Strand Theater, Main Street, Zelienople
TICKET INFO: To buy tickets online, visit the theater Web site at www.thestrandtheater.org or call 724-742-0400. For more information, call the theater at 724-473-0493.