Westchester Broadway Theatre Presents “Always Patsy Cline”

Running at WBT February 4 – 28, 2016

“Always Patsy Cline” is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show, created in 1980 by Ted Swindley, is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star at a Texas honky-tonk in 1961.

Through letters and visits, the two share the homespun stories of laughter and heartache that brought together a housewife and a legendary country singer. Having first heard Cline on the “Arthur Godfrey Show” in 1957, Seger became an immediate and avid fan of Cline’s and she constantly hounded the local disc jockey to play Cline’s records on the radio.

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.

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 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. A friendship that lasted until Cline’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1963.

The WBT show is directed by Amiee Turner, musical direction by Ken Lundie, featuring The Bodacious Bobcat Band.

The stars of the show are Erin McCracken as Patsy Cline and Susann Fletcher as Louise Seger. Understudying both roles is Jeremy Parker.

Other contributors include set design and technical direction by Steve Loftus, lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, sound design by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman, costume coordination by Heidi Giarlo, hair/wig design by Gerard Kelly, and Victor Lukas as stage manager.

The show runs February 4 – 28, 2016. Reservations: Call 914-592-2222. Also: www.BroadwayTheatre.com.