From the moment Louise Seger first heard the magical voice of Patsy Cline on The Arthur Godfrey Show on the radio way back in 1957, she recognized a soul mate and began a life long worship of this country western singer. If you share even a modicum of Louise’s affection and joy, you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to hog heaven when you experience the fine production of ”Always…Patsy Cline” created by Ted Swindley at the Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, CT until Sunday, September 2. You are guaranteed to find a lot to love about this energetic and warm hearted romp into Grand Ole Oprey Land.
Put on your fringed western shirts and cowboy boots and help Louise Seger, the queen of Patsy Cline’s fan club, pay tribute to her favorite lady. Louise is being brought to enthusiastic life by Alison Arngrim. Four years later, when Cline comes to Louise’s hometown of Houston to perform, the two women meet and an instant friendship is cemented. Like secret-sharing sisters, Patsy and Louise exchange phone calls and letters for the next two years until a plane crash robs the world of Patsy Cline at age 30.
The play showcases Carter Calvert as the magnetically musical Patsy Cline and provides a string of pearl hits like “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Crazy,” “I Fall To Pieces,” “You Belong To Me,” and “True Love.” Alison Arngrim is a smart talking, adoring Louise and the friendship between the two is a joy to behold. The band rocks the rafters, including Eric Thomas Johnson as musical director with Bruce Carlson, Roger Cohen, Elizabeth Handyman, Mike Lee and Steve Siktberg. Alan M-L Wager directs all the country western doings in fine style.
For tickets ($15 and up), call the Sharon Playhouse, 49 Amenia Road, Sharon at 860-364-7469 or online at www.Sharonplayhouse.org. Performances are Thursday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Even though Patsy Cline has been dead over five decades, her record sales have gone gold and platinum in the 1980’s, with her recording of “Crazy” as the most popular juke box single to date and her “Walkin’ After Midnight” on the top ten hit list worldwide. So whether you’re a diehard fan like Louise or a brand new devotee, ”Always…Patsy Cline” is sure to swing your fringe.