Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope

This special program, a tribute to actor Christopher Reeve, features inspirational stories and songs in a fundraising gala for the Christopher Reeve Foundation, held in association with the American Paralysis Association. Host Robin Williams opens the show by interacting with the audience, joking about Reeve’s training as a Shakespearean actor, and poking fun at certain medical discoveries. Highlights of the program include the following: Mary Chapin Carpenter, who was once a childhood neighbor of Reeve’s, thanks him for being a role model by singing “Keeping the Faith”; John Lithgow outlines the mission of the Christopher Reeve Foundation and the American Paralysis Association to aid spinal cord injuries; Stevie Wonder sings “Hold on to Your Dreams,” accompanied by the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir; Ted Danson introduces Travis Roy, who became paralyzed while playing hockey for Boston University, followed by a film chronicling Roy’s ordeal; singer Gloria Estefan mentions the accident that temporarily paralyzed her, and sings a song about it, “There’s Always Tomorrow”; Phil Hartman introduces clips from the National Wheelchair Basketball Association finals of 1997; Amy Grant sings a tune about the patience that is required to improve situations; Willie Nelson sings “Peace in the Valley”; Tom Hanks introduces a taped interview of Reeve speaking about the progress made in treating spinal cord injuries, and the future possibilities; Christine Lahti mentions how dreams can liberate the handicapped, and introduces James Ingram singing “I Believe I Can Fly,” as the Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels performs a ballet using wheelchairs; Aaron Neville sings a song of hope; handicapped comedian Chris Fonseca performs; and Deana Carter dedicates the song “That’s How You Know It’s Love” to people who spend their lives helping others.

Next is a film, narrated by Meryl Streep, that profiles the life of a disabled couple, Becki and Richard Melly, who are also present in the audience, and ends with Paul McCartney singing a portion of “Calico Skies.” Other highlights include the following: handicapped comedienne Nancy Becker Kennedy performs a comedy routine about how to deal with people in wheelchairs; Jane Seymour introduces saxophonist Tom Scott, who plays the theme to “Somewhere in Time,” the movie in which she and Reeve co-starred, accompanied by Sasha of Cirque du Soleil in an acrobatic ballet; Glenn Close introduces Reeve’s wife, Dana, who sings “The Music That Makes Me Dance,” the song she sang on the night she met her future husband; and Wonder, Carter, Neville, Grant, Carpenter, Nelson, and Estefan perform a medley of songs about friendship. Reeve concludes the program by dedicating the evening to some special people. Interspersed throughout the program are messages of hope and optimism by Winona Ryder and LeAnn Rimes. Includes commercials, promos, and public service announcements.