Dietlein Bennett did a meet and greet prior to the 7:30 p.m. showing and a question and answer session afterward where friends and admirers got autographs, photos and hugs.
Though she left Springfield to pursue her acting dreams, the city has never left her. For her big-screen debut, “Return of the Living Dead Part 2” in 1988, she was here at the State Theatre.
When "Getting Grace" received its wide release, Dietlein Bennett lobbied to be here for it.
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“Thirty years later, I’m finally back home with another film,” she said.
It doesn’t surprise Nona Bailey, who was friends with Dietlein Bennett’s mom. Bailey was at the ’88 premiere, has since watched her in commercials and television appearances, even staying at her New York City home.
“She’s the same girl as back then,” Bailey said. “It’s like seeing an old friend.”
“Getting Grace” is the story of a teen with terminal cancer who tries to live her last days to the fullest and influence those around her. Dietlein Bennett portrays Grace’s mom, Venus, who uses alcohol to deal with the situation.
She said a scene where Venus is passed out after overindulging and revived was probably the hardest of the shoot. “You have to become that character,” she said.
Classmates Stephanie Mason and Jennifer Hanes Mullins caught an earlier screening, but stayed to meet up with Dietlein Bennett, who they’ve stayed in touch with over the years.
The pair prepared fellow friend Beth Delaney for the comedy and drama to come.
“I’m afraid my makeup may run,” joked Delaney, who later accompanied Dietlein Bennett on the town afterward.
Dan Carey worked with Dietlein Bennett at the State during their school days. The pair would pass the time putting on their own performances outside the auditorium.
“She made it a lot more entertaining as we’d be singing out by the ticket booth,” he said. “Marsha has always had that mix of talent and charisma.”
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Carey visited Dietlein Bennett when she lived in Los Angeles, and admitted he shed a few tears at the film as well. An actor and director in local shows, Carey would like to perform with her again.
“Getting Grace” was made in about 30 days on a low budget in Bethlehem, Pa. by Daniel Roebuck, who has a lot of screen credits, and stars in the film as undertaker Bill, whose life Grace changes.
Dietlein Bennett met Roebuck at age 19 and he rewrote the part of Venus just for her. “Getting Grace” also reunited her with her “Return” co-star – Dana Ashbrook.
She made the film just three months after losing her mom.
“I think she was there in spirit,” Dietlein Bennett said.
Following the screening, audience members expressed their pleasure with the mix of humor and drama.
Dietlein Bennett said she hopes others in the area will support “Getting Grace,” which will be shown through Thursday at Cinema 10. A successful run could lead to it being played longer.
“It’s hard for a small, independent film sometimes and I’m grateful Chakeres supported us,” she said. “It’s been a great night.”
Dietlein Bennett will likely reunite with Roebuck this summer for his upcoming high school football drama, “The Hail Mary.”
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