ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE
Created by Ted Swindley
Based on a true story
Directed by David Tinney
Music Direction by Ben Barker
Audience Rating: PG
Running Time: 2 hours including 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Audio/Visuals to Prepare for: None of Note
Running Time: 2 hours including 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Audio/Visuals to Prepare for: None of Note
Reviewed by Glynda Welch
Patsy Cline was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music. Her powerful voice and ability to infuse lyrics with emotion was unique. ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE calls for someone able to duplicate Cline’s signature sound while introducing audiences to the woman behind the voice. Whitney Golin is Patsy Cline, singing “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and a dozen more. If I had closed my eyes I might have thought I was listening to recordings of Cline. Cline’s fan-turned- friend Louise Seger (Jennifer DeJohn Frawley) is the magic that turns a concert into a musical. Frawley’s Seger is bubbly, funny, and exactly the kind of friend we all wish for. Seger sees Cline on Arthur Godfrey’s "Talent Scouts" and becomes an obsessive fan. Through her we get to meet Cline.
ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE reveals her life through the songs she made famous. Golin is backed up by an amazing orchestra led by Music Director Ben Barker on piano. Gabriel Garcia and Jackson Zemler are on guitar, while Sarah Short played bass, and Elijah Caver played drums. Listen in the second act for the distinct sound of a steel guitar. There was no steel guitar on stage, so I’m not sure how it happened, but it was exactly right. Kerra Sims’ costumes for Golin are eye candy. Director David Tinney’s set design makes use of all the nooks and crannies in this space. Allison Larrea cleverly used projections to change Cline’s performance venues. Larrea also served as sound designer and stage manager. Tinney says “I hope you leave the theater smiling, humming along, and feeling the warmth of Patsy’s spirit that still lives on through her music.” I did. I think you will too.
Tickets are available at Garlandcivic.org now through September 14th . And make plans to attend Garlic Civic Theatre’s Sweet Dreams & Cowboy Cuisine Theatre Fundraiser on Saturday, September 13th at Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery. The $75 per person tickets include a barbecue dinner and a ticket to the 2:30 pm matinee.
Experience Live Theater!
Glynda Welch
Comments
Post a Comment