Review: 'Always...Patsy Cline' at Sharon Playhouse

Sharon, CT - The Sharon Playhouse ends its 59th summer season with an admirable production of ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE. This more than a jukebox musical by Ted Swindley is based on the true story of the Patsy Cline’s friendship with a Houston housewife named Louise Seger, her most devoted fan. After explaining the backstory of her devotion to the singer, the character of Louise narrated the story of the day in 1961 when she met Patsy Cline at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom. After this meeting, the singer kept in touch with her number one fan by writing her long handwritten letters until the day she died tragically in a plane crash. She signed the letters "(Love) Always, Patsy Cline."

Louise Seger supplied a narrative while Patsy Cline floated in and out of the set singing tunes that made her famous--”Anytime,” “Walkin' After Midnight,” “She's Got You,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Crazy.” The show combined plenty of humor, some sadness and the reality of the true friendship between the singer and her biggest fan. Fans who remembered Patsy Cline while she was alive took advantage of a chance to look back; new fans were given an idea of what seeing her was like and what she meant to her original fans.

Alan M-L Wager, the Artistic Director of the Sharon Playhouse who directed the fabulous ANYTHING GOES that opened this season, directed this work. Award-winning composer Eric Thomas Johnson sat on stage with his fellow musicians and conducted with animation and even a few lines. The stars of this show are two strong Equity actresses that were well-worth the trip to the upper corner of CT.

Carter Calvert owned the role of Patsy Cline in every way. In two wonderful wigs by Paula Schaffer and Madison McKenzie Weber, she looked like the dark-haired singer. In a multitude of historically accurate costumes designed by Gordon DeVinney, she channeled her style. And her singing voice was so reminiscent of the original Patsy Cline that it was almost scary; “Crazy” brought the house down. Ms. Calvert played this same role on tour opposite Sally Struthers and appeared in IT AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES with jazz vocalist Gregory Porter. She also happens to be married to drummer Roger Cohen.

Alison Arngrim, who most people in the audience remembered as the nasty Nellie Oleson on the beloved tv series “Little House on the Prairie,” played the devoted fan Louise with just the right amount of sass and heart. The author of the NY Times Best Selling autobiography Confessions of a Prairie B*tch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated is also a standup comedian; this knowledge of comic timing was evident in her performance, as were her improv skills when interacting with the audience.

Ms. Arngrim only got to sing a little in this role, and she never once let go of her wonderful character. Watching her conduct Patsy’s first song with the band that “went on at 8” was a hoot. Her flattering big blonde wig and single Western-inspired costume were designed by Byron Batista; even with the trappings that turned her into Louise, it was easy to recognize the face of Nellie she played so many years ago. At the end of the performance, I had no trouble believing her co-star’s assurance during the curtain call that Ms. Arngrim is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

Thomas P. Swetz served as the set coordinator; it featured Louise’s kitchen on house left, a honky tonk bar on house right and the band on a raised platform in the middle. The lighting design by Jamie Roderick worked wonders and sound design by Daryl Bornstein was seamless. The band included Mr. Johnson on keyboard (with his sheet music on a tablet, a la my son the musician,) Bruce Carlson on the obligatory pedal steel guitar, Mr. Cohen on the drum kit he shared with both actresses, Elizabeth Handman on fiddle, Mike Lee on upright bass, and Steve Siktberg on electric guitar.

ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE runs at the Sharon Playhouse through Sept. 2. If you have never seen this musical, I highly recommend this production with two strong performers. Since this musical purports to be one of the most-produced musicals in America, I look forward to seeing this show again.

In an effort to move Sharon Playhouse towards being a year-round theatre, upcoming at Sharon Playhouse is a Spotlight Gala on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 starring Broadway stars Andrea McArdle and Donna McKechnie in a celebration of Marvin Hamlisch and Stephen Sondheim. Talk about star power! Tickets for just the performance are available to those who do not wish to attend the pre-show cocktail party/light supper in the Bok Gallery. For pricing, visit www.Sharonplayhouse.org

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by Gary Rosengrant

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417