Always...Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline has always been one of my favorite singers.  Her voice was incredible, and her country-pop stylings have become timeless classics.

I became a fan of Patsy Cline as a result of a 1985 biopic about her called "Sweet Dreams" with Jessica Lange playing Patsy.  I read the book on which it was based as well.  Several years later I heard of a musical called "Always...Patsy Cline" based on Patsy and her music that was playing to excellent reviews at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.  

I did not have the opportunity to see a performance of the musical until this week at the Huntsville Community Theater in Huntsville, Texas.  We learned about it last week when we saw a banner stretched on a building on the courthouse square.  We drove the block over to the theater and were peering in the window when the director appeared and invited us in for an impromptu tour.  She even invited us to try out for the next play!  When we mentioned Cec's experience in television, she told us about a new cable television station in Huntsville, which just happened to be directly across the street.  She took us over and introduced us to the owner, who encouraged Cec to develop and produce a program that could be used on the station. 

Cec and I went to the musical performance Friday evening with a law school classmate of mine, who is now a professor of criminal justice, and his wife.

The performance was very enjoyable, though not flawless.  The story revolves around Louise Seger, a fan with whom Patsy became close friends.  Louise, played by local math teacher, Lastell McVey, tells the story of her meeting Patsy at a Houston honky tonk and their ensuing friendship.  Louise acts as the narrator and provides larger than life comedy and even joins Patsy in a couple of numbers.

The star was Mary Allen-Keating, a Huntsville native with a big voice.  She sings with Herb Remington and the River Road Boys out of Houston, who also performed in the on-stage band in the play.  Remington is a renowned steel guitarist and well-known performer of Western swing music, including a stint with Bob Wills.

We had a very enjoyable evening, and the HCT will probably be a regular stop for us.  We might even wind up in a play one of these days.