ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE Begins Performances Tonight at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre

Intimate production of one of Chicago's favorite musicals starring Christina Hall and 2014 Jeff Award-winner Danni Smith begins performances tonight, November 14 Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre's show for the upcoming holiday season will be Always...Patsy Cline, the touching story of the crossover country singer's friendship with one of her fans.

The musical by Ted Swindley has in earlier years been a hit in some larger Chicago-area venues, but Theo Ubique's production in the 50-seat No Exit Café will bring audiences a uniquely up-close and personal perspective on the legendary singer. Always... Patsy Cline is a biography of Cline as told through the eyes of housewife Louise Seger, a fan with whom Cline became close friends after a chance meeting before a 1961 concert in Seger's home of Houston, Texas. The musical includes Cline hits like "Crazy," "Walkin' After Midnight," and "Sweet Dreams."

Fred Anzevino will direct the two-person cast of Christina Hall (from the Jeff-nominated ensemble of Theo's 2011 hit Pump Boys and Dinettes) as Patsy Cline and Danni Smith (Jeff Award winner for Theo's Passion) as Louise Seger. Aaron Benham, musical director for Theo Ubique shows Time After Time: The Music of Jule Styne, and A Cole Porter Songbook, will be musical director for this show, which will also feature a five-piece onstage band backing up the vocals. The design team for Always... Patsy Cline will include Jeff nominee Adam Veness (scenic design), four-time Jeff winner Bill Morey (costume design) and Maya Michele Fein (lighting designer for Theo's A Kurt Weill Cabaret).

With a score that includes songs by the likes of country music's Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Top 40's Neil Sedaka, Broadway's Cole Porter as well as some traditional hymns, Always...Patsy Cline will appeal to a variety of musical tastes and suitable for the whole family.

Patsy Cline first sang professionally in 1947 at age 15. She came to national attention in 1955 with an appearance on the TV version of the Grand Ole Opry and became one of the most influential female singers in the music business. She was one of the first country music artists to cross over to a wide mainstream audience. Cline died in a private plane crash in March of 1963 at the age of 30. In 1973, she became the first female solo artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Ted Swindley is the founding artistic director of Stages Repertory Theater in Houston, where Always... Patsy Cline had its world premiere in 1988. It was produced off-Broadway in 1997 featuring Margo Martindale as Louise and is one of the most-produced musicals in the United States.

DETAILS:

Always... Patsy Cline
By Ted Swindley
Directed by Fred Anzevino
Musical Direction by Aaron Benham

November 14 - December 28, 2014
Preview performances November 14-15 at 8:00 p.m. and November 16 at 7:00 pm (All preview seats are $20.00)
Opening night Monday, November 17, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Regular run: Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 pm No shows Thanksgiving Day (November 27) or Chirstmas Day (December 25).

Tickets: General Admission $29-$34 Students/Seniors $24-$29
Dinner available for an additional $25.00 with prior reservations.
Tickets: www.theo-u.org or call 800.595.4849

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre at No Exit Café is located at 6970 N. Glenwood Ave, Chicago, IL.

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