Great Lakes Theater’s ‘Always...Patsy Cline’ is the stuff of ‘Sweet Dreams’
Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley) (1932-1963) Is considered one of the first crossover singers of country and pop music. Her short eight year career had several major hits that included two number-ones on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides charts.
Patsy got her professional start at fifteen when she sang at local radio station WINC in the early 50s. She became a featured performer on Connie B. Gay’s Town and Country television show and signed her first record contract with the Four Star label in 1954. That first record contract yielded minor success with songs such as “A Church, a Courtroom, Then Goodbye” and “I’ve Loved and Lost Again”. She reached national acclaim on the Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts show in 1957 where she introduced “Walkin’After Midnight” that was her first major hit on the country and pop charts.
She married in 1957 and gave birth in 1958 after which she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was signed to Decca Records. In 1960. Producer Owen Bradley helped redefine her musical sound and she began to have consistent success. In 1961 Cline was severely injured in an automobile accident forcing her to spend a month in the hospital recuperating. Following her recovery she recorded “Crazy” that was to become another major hit. This was followed with her hits “She’s Got You”, “When I Get Through with You”, “So Wrong” and “Leavin’ on Your Mind”. She also began to tour and headline various shows. Her songs centered on love gone wrong which was a popular subject of that time and is still being mined for gold by such current mega stars as Taylor Swift.
In March 1963 Cline was killed along with country performers Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and her manager Randy Hughes who was also the pilot of the Piper PA-24 Comanche plane that crashed on a return trip to Nashville from Kansas City, Kansas. Following her untimely death Patsy has been sited as one of the most celebrated, respected and influential performers of the 20th century as well as a forerunner for women in country music.
As a salute to this wonderful performer, Great Lakes Theater brings her music back to life in “Always...Patsy Cline”. Starring Christina Rose Hall as Patsy and Harmony France as Louise Seger. The show features 27 songs made famous by the female troubadour. Louise Seger was a huge fan of the artist and the two met when she headlined a show at a Hueston, Texas honky-tonk leading to a deep friendship between the two.
As with all jute box musicals, the band plays a key role in its success and this show is no different. The group (known as “The Bob Cats”) features Matthew Webb (Musical Director/Keys), Alfredo Guerrieri (Bass), Evan Kleve (Fiddle), Trevor Matthews (Guitar) and Andrew Pongracz (Drums). They are terrific.
The show is a pleasant evening of familiar songs that most of us older fans grew up with. “Walkin’ After Midnight”, “I Fall To Pieces”, “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and of course “Crazy” are just a few of the featured numbers. The two hour show with intermission flies by with stories, songs and remembrances. Christina Rose Hall looks and sounds just like the original and Harmony France as her sidekick combine for an entertaining evening indeed.
Even if you are not a big fan of country or for that matter Patsy Cline, you really owe it to yourself to see this particular show. It is a nice reminder of gentle music that induces a sense of calm. It is an evening of songs about love gone wrong but done exceptionally well in a concert setting. See This Show!
The Great Lakes Theater production of “Always...Patsy Cline” will be on stage in the Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square, Cleveland, Ohio through May 19, 2024. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.