ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, By Ted Swindley at Bannerman Island Outdoor Theater

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2. ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, By Ted Swindley

Always...Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife, Louise Seger.

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

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.

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 pen-pal relationship provides much of the plot of the show. The play 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 of the set singing tunes that made her famous— “Anytime," “Walkin’ After Midnight," “She’s Got You," “Sweet Dreams," and “Crazy” —
to name a few.

The show combines humor, sadness, and reality. It offers fans who remember Cline while she was alive a chance to look back, while giving new fans an idea of what seeing her was like and what she meant to her original fans." - Ted Swindley

The show stars Jessica Welch as Patsy Cline and Emily Clare Zempel plays Louise Seger.  Ms. Welch has performed over 3,066 performances across the country. Ms. Zempel is a Bannerman Island favorite and has wowed audiences there with her performances in Scotland Road and The Anastasia File.

Review for Jessica Welch: The Austin Chronicle, 2004, by Robert Faires

"...And once Welch sings, we understand Louise's devotion to Cline. Welch's voice captures the plummy fullness of the original, that lush alto that can drip with seduction or throb with heartbreak. It's a wondrous voice, luxuriant and creamy and so dense with feeling. With it, Welch ignites torch songs like "Crazy," gliding from note to note like a steel guitar, with all the twang and ache of that instrument in her voice, too. And singing country blues, she works that alley cat growl for all the sexy intensity that Cline imbued in such songs. At such times, Welch has an impish turn to the corners of her mouth, as if she's recalling some private joke. It wouldn't surprise me if the joke were that she's having as much fun singing as we're having listening to her.  The wonder of this show is that we come to feel as close to Cline as Louise does." 

Always...Patsy Cline is performed in the Bannerman Island Outdoor Theatre. The ticket price includes a round-trip cruise on the motor vessel The Estuary Steward from Beacon to Bannerman Island. It also includes a tour of the island and a short lecture about Bannerman Island's history and its iconic Castle.

Always...Patsy Cline was originally conceived and directed by Ted Swindley. Bannerman Castle Trust's Neil Caplan directs the "two-hander" and Tom McCoy is the Music Director. Sue Regan is the Stage Manager and Tom Muller is the Technical Director.

"A truly unique experience to see an outdoor show on Bannerman Island among the Bannerman Island ruins and gardens"  - Neil Caplan

Come join us for a Honky Tonk musical journey with the incomparable Jessica Welch and Emily Clare Zempel in Always...Patsy Cline. Seating is limited.

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