Photo Flash: First Look at CRT Downtown's ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE

Cortland Repertory Theatre presents their first mainstage production at "CRT Downtown", the newly renovated arts center in downtown Cortland. Chosen for this inaugural production is a revival of one of the most successful shows ever staged at CRT, "Always...Patsy Cline". Written byTed Swindley, this heart-warming, family-friendly musical features some of Patsy Cline's greatest hits including "Crazy", "Walkin' After Midnight", "I Fall to Pieces" and many more. The production began its three week run last night, October 22. Check out a first look below!

Based on a true story, this "memory musical" tells the story of Louise Seger, a Texas housewife who first heard Patsy Cline sing on the Arthur Godfrey show, and was amazed at Cline's heartfelt interpretation of songs. Segar later met and became good friends with the legendary singer, who wrote letters from the touring circuit always signing her letters with "Always, Patsy Cline". The two were friends until Cline's tragic death in a plane crash when she was 32. The musical celebrates her life, and is chock full of songs she recorded.

Playing Patsy Cline is actress Nancy O'Bryan in her CRT debut. O'Bryan has played the role four times before and comes to Cortland from California where she lives with her husband and daughter. She recorded a CD entitles "Lovesick Blues: Remembering Patsy" featuring many of the songs in the show, which will be for sale at the performances. Louise will be played by Jeremy Parker, who was seen this summer on the CRT stage as Alice Benieke in "The Addams Family". The show is directed by CRT Producing Artistic Director Kerby Thompson, who has previously directed such CRT productions as "1776", "Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and many others. Jeff Cox makes his CRT debut as Musical Director and pianist, and heads up "The Bodacious Bobcats Band" which includes John Allis on percussion, Richard Huyge on bass, Peter MacDonald on guitar and David O'Brien on pedal steel guitar. Scenic and Props Design is handled by Sam Sheehan, who previously designed the set for "1776" and served as CRT Props Designer for three years. CRT's Production Manager Eric Behnke also serves as Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for this production. Long time designers Jimmy Johansmeyer and Seth Asa Sengel return to coordinate the Costume and Sound Design, respectively.

CRT last produced "Always...Patsy Cline" 15 years ago in their 30th season during the summer of 2001. It a nearly completely sold out run, the theatre "brought back" the show at the beginning of the summer of 2002 for a week. All combined, it became the highest attended show in the theatre's history at that point. For this production, the seating will be cabaret-style, with 4 chairs gathered around cabaret tables. Refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be served before the show and during intermission at the CRT Guild's refreshment counter in the front lobby.

"Always...Patsy Cline" runs for three weekends; evening shows are at 7:30 and matinees are at 2:00. The lobby will be open one and a half hours before showtime and doors to the theatre will be open ½ hour before. Evening performances will be held on Oct 22, 23, 24, 30, Nov 5, 6, and 7; Matinees will be held on Oct 25 and 31, Nov 1 and 8. Tickets are on sale now at the CRT Downtown Box Office, open Mon - Fri from 9:00 - 4:00, or by calling 800-427-6160. Tickets are also on sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. There is a small additional fee for online sales.

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