“CRAZY” over ALWAYS … PATSY CLINE
Theatre Reviewer: Robert Cox
(May 26, 2009)
In 1959, still a kid, I would lie in bed at night and “sneak” my old Emerson radio on, so I could listen to the music before going to sleep. The light from the glowing tubes cast strange shadows on the wall which added a bit of mystery to my forbidden actions. I was careful not to turn it up loud enough for my mom to hear, and I listened to the music all the way from WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia. How those radio waves got all the way over the mountains was puzzlement to me. There were many country stars then, but my favorites were Eddie Arnold and Patsy Cline. Many nights I fell asleep, listening to the latest hit song in her all too short career.
Last evening, all of those wonderful memories were rekindled as I watched the dress rehearsal of “Always ... Patsy Cline” at the Peninsula Community Theatre. Presented onstage by co-directors, Sarah Wilde and Stephen Mason, the show gives us an inside look at segments of Patsy’s (Mary Lee Starnes) life and career through the narrative of her friend, Louise, (Linda Marley Smith).
Under the musical direction of Amy Insley and James Clark, Mary Lee Starnes renders 26 of Patsy’s hit songs. Her voice is on target with what I remember Patsy’s to be and is reinforced by the traditional sound of the six- member band which features keyboard, guitars, fiddle, drums and the steel guitar. The sounds remain quite true to the tunes that Patsy won us over with fifty years ago.
Mary Lee Starnes’ has definitely got the look too! The show’s costumer and make-up folks have exceptionally capitalized on her already strong resemblance to Patsy Cline, in order to bring Patsy to life onstage. Through her convincing portrayal of one of country music’s most memorable icons, Mary Lee Starnes, as Patsy, connects us with the essence of Patsy’s tunes which were rooted in the lives of so many of us - her fans. Linda Marley Smith as Louise artfully takes us through the six year period of Patsy Cline’s successful career, winning the hearts of her fans during the 50’s and 60’s at “the Opry”. Linda’s character portrayal of Louise, carries a thread of “country” through the length of the show as she ties Patsy’s story together with a blend of humor and the troubled music for which Patsy was so well known.
The show is presented simply, in “black box “ style and is successfully styled to offer the flavor and basic mood of the honky-tonk atmosphere in which Patsy began her rise to stardom. Audience interaction is involved in the show as Patsy enlists some help with a tune or two and Louise seeks out a dance partner in the aisle during one of the songs. It’s a fun show and one you should not miss, country music fan or not.
I’m certain that you will enjoy this presentation as much as I did. The successful efforts of the cast and production staff for this entertaining and poignant show are evident from the first note to the last teardrop. You’d be “crazy” to miss it.
And remember, this special presentation is for a worthy cause. Not only do you get treated to a couple of hours of great country music fun, but your ticket purchase will also support the joint benefactors of this charitable production. Proceeds from the performances will be donated to the Peninsula Food Bank and to PCT’s, John Raynes Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“Always …Patsy Cline” will only play three shows at PCT. Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 and available through the box office, 757-595-5728, at the door, or visit www.pctlive.org
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