‘Cheers’ Script Mysteriously Returned

The autographed “Cheers” script mysteriously stolen during a masked charity ball turned up just as mysteriously on the steps of a church.

The “Cheers” script, snatched from a Handel & Haydn Society gala benefit and auction, was left outside St. Joseph’s Church in Malden Thursday night.

“All you can say is that somebody had a change of heart in the matter,” the Rev. Robert Fountain said.

The stolen script of the last “Cheers” episode was autographed by cast members of the sitcom set in Boston.

It was donated by actor George Wendt, who played beer-guzzling Norm on the show.

After drawing a high bid of $1,000, it was taken from the Four Seasons Hotel Feb. 15 during the Handel & Haydn Society’s $250-a-plate Carnival of Venice gala.

Its return was as surprising as its theft.

“Someone rang the doorbell at 7:30 and left the script in a manila envelope at the door,” Fountain said. “We have a young lady works here answering the door and phone. When she got to the door, no one was there.”

A half-hour after the script was dropped off at the church, a man telephoned asking if it had been received. The anonymous caller also alerted Handel & Haydn, a 182-year-old Boston orchestra and chorus.

The script was returned to the society, which is raising money to hire musicians to work with thousands of schoolchildren and provide regular lessons for gifted students.

James Vanecko, the member of the charity’s board of governors and the Wendt family friend who arranged the donation, was thrilled.

“All I can tell you is that we are very pleased that the education program will finally benefit from the donation,” Vanecko said.