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Letter: Joan Rivers’ long-ago visit to Sudbury memorable

Funny lady Joan Rivers entertained a full house years ago in Sudbury at the Grand Theatre. Before the show I was called into her dressing room for instructions on how to introduce her, as I was acting as MC for the performance.
Funny lady Joan Rivers entertained a full house years ago in Sudbury at the Grand Theatre. Before the show I was called into her dressing room for instructions on how to introduce her, as I was acting as MC for the performance.

She told me in no uncertain terms to advise the audience that absolutely no photographs were to be taken, no recordings or questions from the audience — she made me repeat her directive.

I welcomed the audience and dutifully gave forth the request in my most authoritative manner, following which Ms. Rivers came onto the stage and following applause said “don’t listen to that guy — he doesn’t know what he is talking about — you can take all the pictures you want, ask me any questions you feel like, etc. etc.” — a real icebreaker to open up her performance, that even though I was the unwitting party, I could appreciate.

While here she went shopping, enjoyed the community, and was surprised that although there were no bars on hotel windows, unlike the big cities, she felt very safe — an interesting observation.

She is gone, but the laughter she brought to many will be remembered for years.

John Lindsay
Sudbury