Always...Patsy Cline Content Guide
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Rated: PG Performance Guide January 20 - 29, 2017 1 PNC pulls back the curtain of the 2017 NC Theatre season to share a series of behind the scenes experiences with audience members of all ages. The PNC In the Director’s Chair is a window into the creative process, helping to broaden the way audiences engage with musi- cals and their regional theatre company, NC Theatre, giving patrons a deeper appreciation for the art form beyond simply their own experience in the moment, and ultimately enhanc- ing their theatre-going experience. PNC and NC Theatre are proud to work together to give patrons a brand new perspective In the Director’s Chair. 2 is made possible by 3 NC Theatre: Your Broadway Connection Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | Doug Van de Zande Photography North Carolina Theatre is Raleigh’s regional professional musical theatre company. In 1983 Raleigh's City Manager, Mr. L.P. Zachary, invited Carolina Regional Theatre, with the deft direction of De Ann Jones, to make its permanent home in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium under contract with the City. The Theatre debuted with the musical Camelot in Spring of the following year. Opening with 825 season tickets sold and a total audience of 24,000, Camelot marked the beginning of the Theatre's new direction. With this new direction as inspiration, in May of 1984 the name was changed to North Carolina Theatre. Today, North Carolina Theatre serves as the home of quality musical theatre productions in central North Carolina, drawing more than 50,000 visitors to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium each year. Our Mission Culture: Feed the spirit of local citizens by providing exceptional theatre productions, using the best national, regional and local talent. Community: Fortify the cultural vitality of the region by offering broad access to live theatre, while strengthening economic growth. Citizenship: Foster the next generation of artists and leaders who will become future patrons of the arts through training, performance, and outreach programs. 4 PreviewPreview Content Advisory 6 Show Information 7-12 Cast/Creative Team 13-15 Partnerships/Outreach 16-18 Upcoming Events 19 Discussion Questions 20-21 Accessibility 22 Index of Terms 23 NC Conservatory 24 2016-17 NCT Season! Monty Python’s Spamalot Always Patsy Cline Saturday Night Fever November 15-20, 2016 January 20-29, 2017 February 14-19, 2017 Rated PG-13 Rated PG Rated PG-13 + Jesus Christ Superstar Matilda Beauty and the Beast April 11-16, 2017 May 23-28, 2017 July 25-30, 2017 Rated PG Rated G Rated G 5 Content Advisory Language: Some coarse language. Drugs/Alcohol: Scenes take place in a honky tonk bar. Sexual References: innuendo Violence: A few jokes about a physical altercation. Gussy up your knowledge of some of the world’s most influential women, all native to North Carolina! Mary Jane Patterson, born in Raleigh, NC, becomes the first African Ameri- can woman to receive a bachelors degree. According to a study performed by the National Center for Education statistics published in 2016, African American women are now the most educated group in North America. 6 Characters and Content Louise Seger: Patsy Cline: Once a Texan housewife and mother, A country music icon forever alive in now a spunky divorcee working as an the memory of her friend, Patsy Cline electrician to provide for her family. helps Louise tell her story by singing Louise fell in love with the voice and through each era of her life and music of Patsy Cline when she first music. We watch Patsy’s transfor- heard her sing, and ever since has mation from a country girl into an been one of her biggest fans. When American woman as she flows from Patsy Cline came into town for a con- decade to decade with Louise’s memo- cert, they instantly bonded and be- ries until they finally meet. Though came great friends, writing to each Patsy barely speaks instead of sing- other for years after their meeting. ing, we are able to learn about her Louise is extremely outgoing and struggles with fame, family, and love wears her heart on her sleeve while through the moments she shares with she retells the story of their first Louise and her audience. Her new- meeting, reenacting scenes and be- found friendship with Louise is evi- coming other characters they meet dently important to her, and she along the way. strongly appreciates her compassion. Tabitha Ann Holton, a NC native and graduate of Greensboro Academy, be- comes the first licensed female lawyer in the southern United States. 7 Synopsis Always...Patsy Cline is based on the The play focuses on the fateful even- true story of Patsy Cline's friendship ing at Houston's Esquire Ballroom with Houston housewife Louise Seger. when Seger hears of Cline's death in a Having first heard Cline on the "Arthur plane crash. Seger supplies a narra- Godfrey Show" in 1957, Seger became tive while Cline floats in and out of the an immediate and avid fan of Cline's set singing tunes that made her fa- and she constantly hounded the local mous--Anytime, Walkin' After Mid- disc jockey to play Cline's records on night, She's Got You, Sweet Dreams, the radio. and Crazy--to name a few. In 1961 when Cline went to Houston The show combines humor, sadness for a show, Seger and her buddies ar- and reality. It offers fans who remem- rived about an hour-and-a-half early ber Cline while she was alive a and, by coincidence, met Cline who chance to look back, while giving new was traveling alone. The two women fans an idea of what seeing her was struck up a friendship that was to cul- like and what she meant to her origi- minate in Cline spending the night at nal fans. Seger's house--a friendship that lasted -(Always… Patsy Cline, Official Syn- until Cline's untimely death in a plane opsis, 2002) crash in 1963. The relationship, which began as fan worship evolved into one of mutual re- spect. 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 tele- phone numbers. Seger never expected to hear from Cline again, but soon af- ter she left, Seger received the first of many letters and phone calls from Cline. The pen-pal relationship pro- vides much of the plot of the show. The 19th amendment is passed by congress, and one year later ratified, granting women the right to vote. 8 The Life of Patsy Cline Country music legend Patsy Cline In the early 1960s, Cline enjoyed was born Virginia Patterson Hens- great success on the country and ley on September 8, 1932, in Win- pop charts. She also joined the cast chester, Virginia. She helped break of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, down the gender barrier in this mu- Tennessee—a true sign of her place sical genre. Known for her smooth- in country music. In 1962, Cline sounding, emotive voice, she started again hit the number one spot on performing at a young age. the country charts. She started per- forming with Johnny Cash around Cline taught herself how to play pi- this time, joining his tour. Cline per- ano around the age of 8. She later formed with the likes of June Carter discovered her passion for singing. and George Jones during this time. When she was sixteen, Cline She was supportive of other female dropped out of school to go to work. country artists, such as Loretta Her family desperately needed the Lynn, and she tried to help them money. In her free time, Cline start- with their careers. ed her singing career. She per- formed on local radio stations and -(Patsy Cline Biography, 2016) entered numerous singing contests. Cline's career hit a turning point in 1957. She landed a spot on the Ar- thur Godfrey's Talent Scouts show. Cline wowed audiences with her performance of "Walkin' After Mid- “If you can’t do it with night," winning the program's com- petition. After her appearance on Ar- feeling –don’t.” thur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, the song hit the country and pop charts. –Patsy Cline Cline divorced her first husband around this time. She soon married Charles Dick. The couple had two children together, daughter Julie and son Randy. Lilliam Exum Clement of Buncombe County is the first woman elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives. 9 The Music of Patsy Cline PATSY CLINE Released by Decca Records on August 5, 1957, Patsy Cline was Cline’s first ever album. This album included Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray, and Walkin’ After Mid- night, which made it onto the Billboard charts for both Country music and Pop music. PATSY CLINE SHOWCASE This was Cline’s second record with Decca, released on November 27, 1961. This album included San Antonio Rose, Seven Lonely Days, True Love, and the hits Crazy and I Fall to Pieces. Crazy made it into the top 10 of the Country, Pop, and Adult Contemporary Charts. I Fall to Pieces made it on the Adult Contemporary and Pop charts, and reached #1 on Country Charts. Sentimentally Yours The third and last album she recorded was released by Decca Records on August 7, 1962. This album included Anytime, You Belong to Me, Your Cheatin’ Heart, and She’s Got you, which made it onto the Adult Contempo- rary and Pop Charts, and reached #1 on Country Charts.