'Saving Aimee': Kathie Lee Gifford's New Play Brought Her To Tears

Kathie Lee Gifford has been in the entertainment business for a long time hosting TV shows, recording albums and performing live, but never before has the "Today Show" personality been reduced to sobbing openly in public as she was while watching her new musical, "Saving Aimee," in previews at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle.

"It is one the most rewarding experiences of my life," Kathie Lee tells me about the opening of "Saving Aimee" for which she wrote the book, lyrics and additional music. "Watching an audience that has paid good money laugh and cry has been very moving. After I left 'Live with Regis' this is what I wanted to focus my time on -- creating original musicals -- and now I'm doing it."

"Saving Aimee" is based on the true story of Aimee Semple McPherson, who Kathie Lee describes as "the most famous person you have never heard of." A female evangelist who arrived in Hollywood and befriended stars of the stage and screen, including Charlie Chaplin, Aimee became a true media celebrity during the 1920s and 30s.

Hollywood gave her access to the some of the world's most creative set and costume designers as well as actors -- access Aimee used to spread her religious ideas with showbiz style. Sometimes seduced by power and men, Aimee laid the foundation for a religious empire that included a then state-of-the-art radio station from which she could broadcast her message.

"I heard about Aimee when I was at college and haven't been able to get her out of my mind," Kathie Lee told me. "It's a real tabloid story that sounds too good to be true. She baptized Marilyn Monroe, gave John Wayne his first job and then was involved with the trial of the century after she said she had been kidnapped."

What makes the evening totally unique is that after watching the same show, some audience members left the theater thinking Aimee was a saint whiles others -- including myself -- thought she was a sinner.

Thanks to Kathie Lee, the next time you hear the song "Hooray for Hollywood" with the lyrics "From Shirley Temple to Aimee Semple," you will know who she is.

Check out a photo of Kathie Lee outside the Seattle theater below!

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