Schamburg resident recalls evening with Paul Newman

Schaumburg resident Sharee Pemberton still remembers the night she was alone with Paul Newman.

"He had such an energy and an aura," she said. In 2001, Pemberton was the executive producer of the Chicago Film Critics Awards show at the Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. Newman wanted to be the surprise presenter of the Best Actor Award to Tom Hanks, his co-star in the Chicago-made "Road to Perdition."

Pemberton found Newman alone in the green room and went to shake his hand. Instead, he gave her a hug.

"He had such an aura of gentleness, and kindness and genuineness," Pemberton said. "He was drinking a beer from the bottle. Very unassuming. I was in such awe."

Pemberton asked, "If you had it all to do over again, what would you change?"

Newman thought a moment, and replied, "I think I would do more theater."

"There's still time," Pemberton said.

Soon after Pemberton's private audience with the Hollywood icon, the actor announced plans to mount a production of "Our Town." Newman would play the Stage Manager.

- Dann Gire