(Scroll to bottom for information about remaining performances and tickets.)
I'm not a big fan of country music. I've enjoyed some country music over the years, but it's not the kind of music I turn to on the radio or that I usually choose to listen to.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed "Always . . . Patsy Cline."
Playing at the Broach Theatre in downtown Greensboro, "Always . . . Patsy Cline" is a cross between a play and a live-action concert.
The play part focuses on Houston housewife Louise Seger, who discovered Patsy Cline's music on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957. Played by Lee Strickland, Louise provides the play's narration and comic relief. With sassy spirit, honesty, and humor, Louise makes us interested in learning how she and Patsy got to know each other. There's some interaction between the two characters, but the play more often relies on Louise's storytelling skills to fill us in on the action.
When Patsy's around, she does what she's best known for: she sings. And performs.
Lisa Dames, a real-life country singer herself, pours enthusiasm and confidence into her role as Patsy. Whether Patsy's performing live or on the radio, we get to see and hear the results. While Louise wears the same outfit throughout the play, Patsy regularly changes costumes, starting with a beautiful purple dress and matching purple high heels. Just as you'd expect a high-quality performer to do, Patsy connects with her audience, making eye-contact, encouraging audience participation, and even stepping out into the audience to dance and flirt with a man or two.
The other performers in this play are the band members. They provide the background for Pasty's voice, and occasionally, they even become part of the conversations with Louise and Patsy. While always visible on-stage, they remain in the background and do not distract the audience from paying attention to the two women at the center of this production.
I can't imagine any country-music fans not having the time of their lives during this approximately two-hour performance. But I also think a lot people who don't typically gravitate to country music would have a great time. (I did!)
You only have four days left to see "Always . . . Patsy Cline":
- Wednesday, August 22, 2007
- Thursday, August 23, 2007
- Friday, August 24, 2007
- Saturday, August 25, 2007
Each of these performances begins at 8:00 PM, with a fifteen-minute intermission.
Call 378-9300 for tickets.
If you get voice mail, just indicate your name, phone number, the date you want to attend, and how many tickets you want.
Tickets cost $15.00-$20.00 each.
The Broach Theatre is located at 520 S. Elm Street in downtown Greensboro.
(Avoid procrastinating, and get your tickets today! Just as it did during its 2002 Greensboro run, this play tends to sell out its performances.)
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