Review: Always…Patsy Cline

Review: Always…Patsy Cline | Lone Tree Arts Center | Lone Tree, CO | Curtain Up | Gina Robertson

Patsy Cline had one of the most recognizable voices in American music history and one of the most tragic careers, cut short at age 30 in a 1963 plane crash. Most of her success came posthumously, and her personal life was marked by childhood sexual abuse, abandonment, serious injury in a car wreck, and a famously tumultuous marriage that gave her a share of heartbreak to sing about.

Ted Swindley’s Always…Patsy Cline, currently on stage at the Lone Tree Arts Center, is not a story of her life but something more like a narrated concert in which she appears on stage to perform her songs while her biggest Texas fan Louise Seger gives an entertaining commentary and tells the story of a night spent in the company of this iconic country singer.

The star herself, Patsy, is played by Henry award winner Adriane Leigh Robinson, who bears a remarkable likeness and does a more than passable vocal imitation. She captures Cline’s swagger and embodies her subject completely but only as the singer and not really as the woman. We may be forgiven for wishing that she could have played Patsy Cline in a piece with more depth than this jukebox musical could provide. Robinson provides more than a few moments of irony and a glimpse into Patsy’s unique personality. In one scene, for example, Patsy is performing “I Fall to Pieces” and when she sings the line “You want me to pretend like we never kissed,” she gives a meaningful look down to her obviously pregnant belly. It’s a clever little moment.

Adriane Leigh Robinson; Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton Photography

Cline is best known for ballads, but Robinson lights up the most during the fast, high energy numbers like “Stupid Cupid” and “Come on In.” Even if you don’t care for country music, the exuberant, guileless performance invites you to tap your toe and clap your hands.

Based on a true story and a real person, Louise (Emma Messenger) is a fun if not fulfilling substitute for meaningful context. With her bold personality and charm, she shares a slice of her life and the story of how she met and began a pen-pal friendship with Patsy Cline that lasted until her death. Messenger is funny and engaging, venturing out into the audience to dance with a lucky fellow to “San Antonio Rose” or conducting the band to ensure they stick to Patsy’s preferred slow-bluesy rhythm during “Crazy.”

Emma Messenger; Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton Photography

The band itself calls to mind the old-style country music bands seen on black-and-white TV shows like HeeHaw, all dressed the same in black cowboy hats and string ties, with a studiously serious demeanor like only an old-timey country band can do. They do participate in the fun from time to time, and the music is brilliant.

Alec Steinhorn, Tony Ortega, Emily Rose Lewis, Adriane Leigh Robinson, Emma Messenger, David James, Tony Frye, Sean Case; Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton Photography

A big part of the magic of Patsy coming to life on stage in the person of Robinson is the stunning costume design by Charlotte Campbell. Like she stepped out of a 1960s elegant style magazine, Robinson is put together perfectly in every outfit. Not to be outdone, Messenger’s costumes are especially fitting for her “look at me” personality. The details are delicious, as is the set design by Kevin Nelson. The hair on both women is gorgeous, with credit to wig designer Debbie Spaur.

Directed by Kelly Van Oosbree, the dynamic between the two women is endearing, and Messenger finds plenty to do while Patsy performs. The meeting of Patsy and Louise is a brief story narrated by Louise with pretend phone conversations and a lot of “and then I told him…” and “then she said…”.  This is, perhaps less satisfying than a fully developed performance of the events might be, with another character or two and more development. It’s a thin story, though, and maybe best narrated as it is, but the thought is that something more is desired for this piece, as lovely as it is to see Patsy Cline come to life in all her 1960s glamour and glory.

Find this boisterous, fun jukebox musical on stage in Lone Tree through October 25.

Information and Tickets: https://www.lonetreeartscenter.org/whats-on/always-patsy-cline