Two Sonoma County actresses will reprise their critically acclaimed performances as country singing legend Patsy Cline and her devoted fan Louise Seger when "Always...Patsy Cline" is presented at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
The performance is a benefit for the 6th Street Playhouse and a Thanksgiving holiday weekend opportunity for the community to come together to support local theater, cheer on local talent and celebrate the legacy of Patsy Cline on Sonoma County's most prestigious stage.
Mary Gannon Graham of Sebastopol and Liz Jahren of Santa Rosa are both excited and proud to perform in the 1,550-seat
Ruth Finley Person Theater, the main auditorium at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. It will be the first time either has appear on the main stage at Santa Rosa venue. Joining Graham and Jahren on
stage will be the Bodacious Bobcats, a group of local musicians who capture the Nashville sound for the musical comedy under the musical direction of Jim Peterson of Sonoma County.
"I had no idea we would run this production three times to sold out houses and now at the Wells Fargo Center. Wow! This sort of thing just does not happen all that often in the North Bay theater," said Graham, who plays the role of Patsy Cline.
"I can only imagine what it was like to sing at the Ryman Auditorium (The Grand Ole Oprey) which had about 2,300 seats. That's a few more seats than the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, so I will pretend that's where I am - at the Grand Ole Oprey," said Graham.
"It shouldn't be too hard. I read once that Patsy Cline was back stage at the Oprey and a young guitar player/singer was about to go one for the first time and was very nervous, she leaned over and said to him, 'Hoss, just go on out there and sing them songs.' I think I'll follow her advice," said Graham.
It won't be the biggest audience Liz Jahren has ever performed for, but, the Nov. 28 performance will give Jahren a large house for her scripted, playful audience interaction as Cline's devoted fan.
"Nothing is more fun, more playful and exciting than interacting with the audience. What a beautiful, big audience it will be and what a delicious stage to be on," said Jahren. "I cannot think of people I love more than the cast of this show. I am honored and humbled by this spectacular opportunity to share the incredible music of Patsy Cline and her message of love, heartache, friendship and fun."
"It will be an amazing adventure for all of us I'm sure," said Graham.
This musical pays tribute to Pasty Cline (who epitomized the country music sound in the late 1950s and '60s) in a true story told with humor, emotion, music and a little audience interaction. "
Always...Patsy Cline" tells the story of Cline's friendship with Louise Seger, a devoted Houston fan who met the country singing star in 1961 and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death in 1963. The show features more than 25 country standards including Cline's endearing hits "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy," "Back in Baby's Arms" and "She's Got You."
Co-produced by the 6th Street Playhouse and Cinnabar Theater, "
Always...Patsy Cline" has been a tremendous success for both theater companies, selling out three times since its first presentation in 2008. The show was lauded with critical acclaim and garnered acting award nominations for Graham and Jahren from the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle.
Tickets are $29 and $39. To reserve tickets or for more information call 707-546-3600 or order online at
www.wellsfargocenterarts.org
Photo by Eric Chazankin
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