Sally Struthers to perform in Patsy Cline Broadway production at Jasper Arts
Emmy-award winning Sally Struthers will be on the stage at the Jasper Arts Center in her role as the Houston housewife that formed a special bond with the legendary singer, Patsy Cline.
The Broadway production of Always…Patsy Cline will perform at the Jasper Arts Center on Saturday, October 31st, at 7:30 p.m. This musical drama will touch the heart of every Patsy Cline fan, and showcases Broadway’s Carter Calvert as Patsy Cline and Sally Struthers as her friend Louise.
Always…Patsy Cline, based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Louise Seger comes complete with true emotion, down home country humor and, with 27 songs in the show, includes many of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams & Walking after Midnight.
The play focuses on the fateful evening at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom when Seger hears of Cline’s death in a plane crash. Seger supplies a narrative while Cline floats in and out of the set singing tunes that made her famous.
The two women met in 1961 when Cline went to Houston for a show. Seger and her buddies arrived about an hour and a half early and, by coincidence, met Cline who was traveling alone. The two women struck up a friendship that was to culminate in Cline spending the night at Seger’s house.
The relationship, which began as fan worship evolved into one of mutual respect. It is the kind of relationship that many fans would like to have with their heroes.
Over a pot of strong coffee, the two women chatted about their common concerns. When Cline finally left for Dallas, her next job, the two women had exchanged addresses and telephone numbers. Seger never expected to hear from Cline again, but soon after she left, Seger received the first of many letters and phone calls from Cline. The pen-pal relationship provides much of the plot of the show.
“I found a way to make Louise over the top,” Struthers said about her portrayal of the 1960s Texas housewife.
Carter Calvert, with a long series of hit musicals, plays Patsy and slams the ball out of the park with her renditions of fan favorites in this two-person musical drama.
The show combines humor, sadness and reality. It offers fans who remember Cline while she was alive a chance to look back, while giving new fans an idea of what seeing her was like and what she meant to her original fans.
Some tickets are still available to this inspiring production. Ticket prices are: Adults $35, Seniors $33, and Students/Children $30. You may order tickets by calling the box office at Jasper Community Arts, 812-482-3070.
