ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE Opens 3/14 at Ivoryton Playhouse

In the town of Winchester in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, there is a gravestone that probably says it best: "Death Cannot Kill What Never Dies: Love." It is a tribute to the late, great singer Patsy Cline. Not many singers remain legends so long after their death, especially after a short career of slightly more than five years. Cline died tragically at age 30 on March 5, 1963, which was almost 49 years ago. Her music lives on partly through such wonderful stage tributes as Always… Patsy Cline, which opens the season at the Ivoryton Playhouse on March 14th.

Always…Patsy Cline has enjoyed great success all over the United States, including a successful run off-Broadway. It is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer. The show is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.

The musical play, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight…27 songs in all. The show's title was inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love ALWAYS... Patsy Cline."

Playhouse Executive Director, Jacqui Hubbard, who directs this production, says "I grew up listening to my mother sing these songs while cooking dinner. They are part of my DNA and I only have to hear the opening chords of Crazy and I am instantly transported. Even if you are not a country fan, Patsy Cline crosses all the boundaries. Her music has lasted this long because if defies being categorized. It is the music of us all."

Playing Patsy Cline is Jacqueline Petroccia*, who also played her in a production at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in 2011 with spectacular reviews. "Petroccia looked like Patsy and sang like Patsy" – Gail Burns, Berkshire Theatre Reviews; "Petroccia gives us a near perfect performance of what Patsy Cline would have sounded like in concert. There were times in the show when I really imagined I was watching Patsy Cline at the Opry" – Kevin Richards, DJ 107.7 WGNA

Laurie Dawn*, who will be playing Louise in this production, is no stranger to the Ivoryton Playhouse. Audiences loved her as M'Lin in Steel Magnolias and as Charlotte in Moon Over Buffalo. John DeNicola musical directs this production. Sets designed by William Stark, lights by Doug Harry, costumes by Lisa Marie Harry and hair by Joel Silvestro.

Always…Patsy Cline opens on March 14th and runs thru April 1st for 3 weeks. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling The Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Pictured: Jacqueline Petroccia as Patsy Cline at the Mac-Haydn Theatre

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