Firebrand Theatre presents ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE Review: Full of Heart and Song

Posted on by Lauren Katz

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We are in the Esquire Ballroom, and Patsy Cline is in the midst of her act. Louise and Patsy just met, and already they behave like friends who have known each other for years. Louise is in the back of the room. Her job is to ensure the band keeps in time with Patsy - and she takes her job very seriously. Even so, she cannot help but dance along. As Patsy rocks the house from the front of the stage, Louise jumps around in back, having an absolute blast. We are only halfway through the musical, and still have so much to learn about how this friendship grows. However, for now, all that is important for these two women is enjoying the moment at hand.

Firebrand Theatre presents Always... Patsy Cline

Ted Swindley’s musical is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Louise Seger. After hearing Patsy sing on the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1957, Louise became a huge fan – constantly asking the local radio station to play her music and keeping close tabs on Patsy’s career. In 1961, when she learns that Patsy is slated to come perform in Houston, Louise is beyond excited – and stops at nothing to ensure that she and her friends land the best table possible at the club for that evening. What begins as a night on the town turns into more than Louise ever could have imagined when she and Patsy meet and strike a friendship – one that would last until the end of Patsy’s life.

The musical is full of Patsy’s famous hits including Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, and Walking After Midnight. Directed by Brigitte Ditmars, the production features Christina Hall and Firebrand Artistic Director Harmony France – both of whom will be alternating roles each performance. For this particular performance, Hall took the title role with France as Louise, and at the end of the night, the Opening Night audience was on their feet with cheers and applause.

Firebrand Theater ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
(pictured) Harmony France and Christina Hall Michael Brosilow
Firebrand Theater ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
(left to right) Harmony France and Christina Hall Michael Brosilow

Full of Heart

The musical follows the journey of this friendship – beginning with the moment Louise discovers Patsy’s voice. Louise begins as a die-hard fan, and France fills that role with an earnest and bubbling sense of excitement. As Louise invites the audience into her story and introduction to the famous singer, she includes references to Patsy Cline’s music playing on the television and radio. At each of these moments, Hall enters the scene and sings the songs live.

 

 

Firebrand Theater ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
(left to right) Harmony France and Christina Hall Michael Brosilow

Back in Baby’s Arms appears early in the play, and from the cheers that erupted around the audience, this writer was not the only one stunned by Hall’s vocal quality.  Hall carries a charming stage presence that consumes the room. In front of the stage are a series of cabaret tables – most of which go to audience members, but one is reserved for Louise. If you look over at Louise during this number, you may notice her mouthing the words along. France is nearly jumping out of her seat ready to dance. The audience’s close proximity to Louise invites us to feel this excitement with her, and as the story unfolds, that intimacy only aids in our emotional understanding of this relationship.

Beautiful Friendship

At the heart of this musical is a story about two women who find each other when they need that companionship. Both have experienced heartbreak and loneliness, and are drawn to the strength they find in each other. While the upbeat musical numbers are a joy to see, France and Hall also bring a lovely sense of honesty to the darker pieces.

During Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray, Patsy reveals her past to Louise. She is in a challenging marriage, but feels she needs to stay in order to be there for her child. Louise understands, and in the midst of Patsy’s singing, shares her own words of comfort and reassurance. The number is intimate – both sit at the cabaret table that has now become Louise’s kitchen table. Again the close proximity to the audience works in the production’s advantage, and the performers offer us a window into this intimate, heartfelt moment between two new friends.

Standout musical numbers and strong performances make Always… Patsy Cline a musical to see. Whether or not you are a country music fan, there is a little something in this show for everyone.

RECOMMENDED

Firebrand Theater ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
(left to right) Christina Hall and Harmony France Michael Brosilow
Firebrand Theater ALWAYS PATSY CLINE
(pictured) Christina Hall Michael Brosilow

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

Watch this video showing the TOP PICK PLAYS of 2019

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Cast:

Harmony France and Christina Hall (Patsy Cline and Louise Seger)

Band:

Andra Velis Simon (conductor/keyboard), Steven Romero Schaeffer (guitars), Emma
Sheikh (fiddle) and Tina Muñoz Pandya (drums).

When

Now extended through February 23, 2020

Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm.
Saturdays at 3 pm & 7:30 pm.
Sundays at 3 pm.

Where

The Den Theatre’s Janet Bookspan Theatre
1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Tickets:

$40+

Check for Half-Price Deals from Hot Tix:

 

For full-priced tickets and ticket availability visit the Firebrand Theatre website

Photos: Michael Brosilow

Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago

About the Author:

Lauren Katz is a freelance director and dramaturge, and new to the Chicago Theatre Scene. She recently moved from Washington DC, where she worked with Mosaic Theater Company of DC in Company Management, as well as directed around town with various theaters.

Click here to read more Picture this Post stories by Lauren Katz.

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