Always, Patsy Cline opens Feb. 19
The Playhouse has cast country music royalty Kellye Cash, Johnny Cash’s niece, in the role of Patsy Cline. Kellye Cash, Tennessee’s most recent Miss America and Christian recording artist, sang with her famous uncle for many years, performed with Lee Greenwood, was in the USO Show with Bob Hope, and performs annually in professional concerts, professional and regional theater productions, as well as concentrating in her chosen field of Christian music. She has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The David Letterman Show, and more. Cash is featured in this month’s Good Housekeeping Magazine (February, 2004) and still makes guest appearances on the televised Miss America Pageants.
Cash is a trained professional pianist who often accompanies herself. She has performed the role of Patsy for two Texas based tours in major venues in the Southwest and Midwest. Most recently, she has starred as Narrator in the long running Branson, Mo., production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where she will be seen again in Fall 2004.
Cumberland County Playhouse royalty Patty Payne, beloved for 10 years by regional and national Playhouse audiences as June Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain (“I don’t sing; I sign.”), will star opposite Cash as Louise Seger, Patsy’s friend and biggest fan, in the two act musical drama that features more than 20 of Patsy Cline’s most famous hits.
“In addition to the fabulous Miss Cash, it is irresistible to have Louise Seger played by the wonderfully funny and moving Patty Payne, Playhouse resident company member. “This is such an exciting pairing,” said Jim Crabtree, producing director. “Both women have such terrific followings,” he said. “?as does our national tour veteran and playhouse leading lady Weslie Webster who has appeared in the leading role of Julie and other roles in Carousel as well as Grizabella in CATS this past summer (“Memory”). Weslie will star as Patsy Cline in six of the 40 performances of Always?Patsy Cline when Kellye Cash has previously scheduled commitments,” he said.
Based on the life of Patsy Cline, the woman who epitomized country music in the late ’50s and ’60s, Always…Patsy Cline focuses on the endearing, true life friendship Patsy shared with star-struck, Texas housewife Louise Seger.
Seger, and most of the nation, fell in love with Patsy’s voice after seeing her perform “Walkin’ After Midnight” on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts in 1957. Seger followed Cline’s career devotedly through radio and television and finally got to meet the singer at a Houston concert in 1961. Seger provided room and board for the star after the show. The two became pen-pals up until the 1963 plane crash that claimed Cline’s life. The play’s title refers to the manner in which Cline would close each of her letters: Love always … Patsy Cline.
Always … Patsy Cline is an intimate look at the woman behind the legend: Patsy, the mother who missed her children on the road; the wife who worried about her husband; the real story of what it meant to be one of Nashville’s first “girl singers” and the sacrifices it took to maintain that stardom on the road. This is the insider’s story as only a true friend could tell it. The show will feature a live band and more than 20 country standards including Cline’s hits “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” “Back in Baby’s Arms” and “She’s Got You,” and more. The show is directed by Terry Schwab with musical direction by Ron Murphy.
“I’ve heard about the Cumberland County Playhouse for years and at many of the churches where I sing,”said Cash. “I’m excited to be making my professional Tennessee theater debut at Tennessee’s Family Theater. The Playhouse and I share many values and are committed to family friendly entertainment suitable for the entire family.”
In addition to her performances as Patsy Cline, Miss Cash will perform a special concert presented by the Playhouse in late April or early May toward the end to the run. Miss Cash will also welcome opportunities to sing as a guest soloist in churches around the region on a limited number of selected dates. Please contact Public Relations Director Miller Leonard at 931-267-1758 or 931-879-7790 for promotional appearances, details, and availability.
Miss Cash will host a talent workshop to coach pageant contestants and girls interested in contests which have a talent component. More details will follow.