Always...Patsy Cline
- Ongoing: until Sunday, October 4, 2009
- Sunday: 2:00pm
- Sunday: 7:00pm
- Wednesday: 7:00pm
- Thursday: 8:00pm
- Friday: 8:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00pm
- Where: Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Little Rock
- Cost: $20 - $40
- Age limit: All ages
By Ted Swindley
Directed by Bob Hupp
Location: The Rep's MainStage, 601 Main Street
Ticket Information: The Rep Box Office at: 501-378-0405 or 1-866-6THEREP
Online at: www.therep.org
Always...Patsy Cline is based on the true story of Patsy Cline's friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. In 1961, when Cline traveled to Houston for a show, Seger and her friends arrived early and, by sheer 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 lives. When Cline finally left for Dallas and her next gig, the two women exchanged addresses and telephone numbers. Seger never expected to hear from Cline again.
Soon after she left, Seger received the first of many letters and phone calls from Cline. The relationship evolved into one of mutual respect and their friendship lasted until Cline's untimely death in a plane crash in 1963.
Always...Patsy Cline 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 singing the tunes that made her famous:"Anytime," "Walkin' After Midnight," "She's Got You," "Sweet Dreams," and "Crazy," just to name a few. Always...Patsy Cline offers fans who remember Cline a unique chance to look back, while giving new fans an insight of what she was like and how much her music meant to those who loved her.
DIRECTOR
Robert Hupp (Director) is in his eleventh season as producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Robert's directing credits for The Rep include Les Miserables, It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, The Full Monty, Moonlight and Magnolias, Of Mice and Men, Steel Magnolias, Much Ado About Nothing, Children of Eden, Romeo & Juliet, God's Man in Texas, The Spitfire Grill, Fully Committed, Proof, The Tempest, You Can't Take It With You and The Grapes of Wrath. He also recently directed Les Miserables for Arizona's Phoenix Theatre Company and the American premieres of Glyn Maxwell's The Lifeblood and Wolfpit for the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble in New York City. His other recent directing credits include God's Man in Texas (Tennie Award, Best Director) and Fully Committed for the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, and My Fair Lady, The Music Man and L'Histoire du Soldat for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Prior to assuming his position at The Rep, Robert spent nine seasons as artistic director, and four seasons as managing director, of Jean Cocteau Repertory theatre in New York City. Robert directed several works for the Obie Award-winning Cocteau Rep, including premieres of the Bentley/Milhaud version of Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children, Seamus Heaney's The Cure at Troy and Eduardo de Filippo's Napoli Millionaria. He has served on funding panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Theatre Communications Group, the New Jersey State Council of the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Robert has been a finalist for Arkansas Business' Non Profit Executive of the Year and is a recipient of IABC/Arkansas Communicator of the Year Award. In addition to his duties at The Rep, Robert serves on the Board of Directors of the Theatre Communications Group and The City of Little Rock's Arts and Culture Commission
CAST
Jessica Welch (Patsy Cline), Joanne Robinson (Louise Segar), Pete Brown (Ray Bob/Fiddle), Steve Hudleson (Billy Bob/Lead Guitar), Robert Jones (Jim Bob/Pedal Steel Guitar), Patrick Lindsey (Bob Bob/Drums), Brian Wolverton (Jay Bob/Bass).
CREW
Arkansas Repertory Theatre creative team for Always:Patsy Cline includes Rafael Colon Castanera (Production Manager), Marianne Custer (Costume Designer), Lynda J. Kwallek (Properties Designer), Mike Nichols (Resident Set Designer/Technical Director), Jason Pruzin (Sound Designer and Engineer), Michael Heavner (Musical Director) and Michael Barnett (Lighting Designer).
PERFORMANCES, SPECIAL EVENTS & TICKETS
SEPT 11 Opening Night
Opening night includes a post-show champagne toast and reception with the cast.
SEPT 16 Performance Interpreted for the Hearing Impaired
SEPT 9 OCT 4 Wednesday curtain 7 p.m; Thursday, Friday, Saturday curtain 8 p.m.; Sunday curtain 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Single ticket prices range from $20 - $40 per seat depending on date, time and seat selection for the performance. Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more. To purchase tickets call The Rep box office at (501)378-0405 or 1-866-6THEREP or visit us online at www.therep.org.
SPONSORS
The Rep gratefully acknowledges the sponsors for this show: Centennial Bank, Arkansas Life and Stephens Inc.
ABOUT THE REP
Founded in 1976, Arkansas Repertory Theatre is the state's largest nonprofit professional theatre company. A member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT D), The Rep has produced more than 290 productions, including 40 world premieres, in its historic building located in downtown Little Rock. Producing Artistic Director, Robert Hupp leads a resident staff of designers, technicians and administrators in the creation of eight to ten productions for an annual audience in excess of 100,000 for MainStage and Second Stage productions, educational programming and touring. The Rep produces works that range from contemporary comedies and dramas to world premiers and the classics of dramatic literature. For more information, visit www.therep.org.
This event was posted Sept. 8, 2009 and last updated Sept. 9, 2009
