THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
FischerFest: The Life and Legacy of Dick Van Dyke
ABOVE: Fischer Theatre Executive Director Ashton Greer signs a giant canvas birthday card ahead of Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday on December 13th. (Jennifer Bailey/The News Gazette)
DANVILLE — Want to wish one of Danville’s favorite sons a happy 100th?
There’s a supersized canvas card for that awaiting guests Saturday night at Danville’s Fischer Theatre, which will host the world premiere of the documentary “Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration.”
The theatre’s executive director, Ashton Greer, was the first to sign it this week — “Mr. Van Dyke, You inspire us all. Happiest 100th Birthday” — leaving plenty of space for the 600 ticket-holders expected to attend opening night of the two-day “FischerFest: The Life and Legacy of Dick Van Dyke.”
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The Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning birthday boy won’t be back in his hometown, but patrons will be able to relive his last visit to Vermilion County. The documentary features memorable moments from his 2016 trip back, said friend and “Tripping Over The Ottoman” podcast co-host David Van Deusen, who “Dick Van Dyke Show” creator Carl Reiner nicknamed “the other DVD.”
The film captures the essence of the prolific performer, Van Deusen said: “I think, as someone summed it up, Dick Van Dyke just seems to exude joy. It doesn’t matter what project he was involved in. It’s that zeal, that excitement, that joy.”
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