I first fell in love with actress Crystal Bernard when I saw her in the cult-classic TV movie High School U.S.A. She was virtually unknown at that time, but subsequently became famous for her role as Helen Chapel in the sit-com Wings. I had always liked Wings too, but it somehow became the entire theme of my wedding weekend in 2003 when Jimmy visited to both lend support and videotape the ceremony and reception. It was a spontaneous thing – quoting Wings – and as much as we’ve tried to re-live it since, it never had the same comedic impact as it did on that wacky weekend that I got married to Carolyn.
But still, when I had the opportunity to see Crystal Bernard live on September 30, 2005, in a small-theatre production of Barbra’s Wedding, an original play written by and co-starring Daniel Stern, I jumped at the chance. Crystal was wonderful in the role, as I detailed here – but was even more wonderful when Bob and I got to meet with her after the show, from the moment she popped her head out from backstage and modestly asked if we were waiting to see her. We chatted with her for nearly five minutes as we told the story of how we met in the Sons of the Desert club. She branded us as ‘aficionados’ and thus gave a great deal of credence at our (mostly my) gushing about her brilliant comedic performance (which it was).
She happily signed our photos and posed for pictures and even came up with a nice educational slogan with which to inscribe a photo for Bob to display at the high school where he teaches: “Fly High with Education!” If all performers had half the class as Crystal Bernard, the world would be a better place. Such a pleasure…
Signed program for Barbra’s Wedding
Click here to see Daniel Stern…
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