her pain, but the siren songs of a woman fully possessed of Remembering an American Icon herself, who knows her power, by Mary Donofrio encompasses her strength, and will remain and return to her Leading off the Summercompeted in talent contests. In Always...Patsy Cline has magnificence. She will not be Mainstage series is a well- 1952, she began working with enjoyed a much beloved run broken.” loved favorite of theatre buffs her second manager, Bill Peer, in theatres both domestically and country music fans alike, who convinced her to change and abroad. Since its initial With the many struggles Always…Patsy Cline by Ted her name from Virginia to premiere in Houston, the play Cline faced in her personal life, Swindley. Remembered today Patsy, taken from her middle has been performed numerous it was evident that she sang as one of the most talented name Patterson. When she times throughout the country, from the heart in her music. singers of the 20th century, married Gerald Cline a year including a run at The Ryman This honesty and vulnerability Patsy Cline made a remarkable later, Patsy Cline as we knew Auditorium in Nashville, the is what made her such a impact despite a short career. her was born. She signed to former home of the Grand compelling performer. As arguably the best known Four Star Records in 1955, and Ole Opry, where Cline, Returning to FST after the tribute to Cline’s life and her path to stardom began. herself, often performed.2016-2017 Cabaret, Gypsies, legacy, Always…Patsy Cline has Always...Patsy Cline tells the Internationally, the show has Tramps, and Thieves is become one of the top 10 most- story of Cline’s rise to fame been produced in Australia, Meredith Jones as the iconic produced plays in the country, through the eyes of one of The United Kingdom, Ireland, Patsy Cline. “She inspired and it continues to be widely her biggest fans. Louise Seger and Canada. In the 2017-2018 me to find my own authentic seen and loved today. first heard Patsy Cline on theatrical season alone, the sound as an artist,” said Jones Patsy Cline was one of the the Arthur Godfrey Show in show will be performed at 31 of Cline’s influence. “She wasn’t first popular female Country 1957, and was utterly charmed different theatres around the afraid to sing boldly, and was recording artists, and a by Cline’s voice and style. It country and abroad. This will always so instantly authentic trailblazer for many acts to wasn’t until 1961, when Cline be our third time producing when you heard her.” Always...Patsy Cline at Florida follow. She was a woman of played a show at the Esquire Susan Greenhill will appear firsts. Cline was the first female Ballroom near Houston that Studio Theatre, with previous productions during the 1996 as Louise Seger, Patsy’s biggest solo artist to be inducted into Louise had the chance to fan. Susan has appeared on our the Country Music Hall of meet her idol. Following this and 2008 Summer Mainstage seasons. stages in Southern Comforts, Fame, the first female Country meeting, Cline and Seger kept L.A. is Burning, Fiction, artist to perform at Carnegie in touch through letters and What makes this piece an FST Chapatti, The Exonerated, and Hall, and the first woman in phone calls throughout Cline’s favorite? Not only does it give Shirley Valentine. Greenhill Country music to have her own life. Always…Patsy Cline has audiences the opportunity to additionally directed Edward headlining solo show in Las Louise recalling these precious hear some of the best music Albee’s Occupant in 2008’s Vegas. Her influence is still felt memories after the passing of an iconic era, the story of Stage III Season. to this day. She has been named of her idol, along with the Patsy and Louise’s relationship Appearing as the Bodacious as an influence by music legends songs that made Patsy Cline a speaks to all of our hearts, and Bobcats Band are Musical like Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, music legend. From her classic reminds us of how music truly Director Dr. Justin P. Cowan Cyndi Lauper, k.d. lang, Reba hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to does bring people together. on piano, Skip Ellis on Steel McEntire, and LeAnn Rimes. Pieces,” “Back in Baby’s Arms,” Kate Alexander, Associate “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and and Rhythm Guitar, Chuck Patsy Cline was born Director At-Large, will Davis on Bass Guitar, and Tony Virginia Patterson Hensley “Sweet Dreams (of You)” to be directing the Summer other beloved favorites like Bruno on the drums. Skip Ellis on September 8, 1932 in Mainstage opener. When also appeared in the 2008 FST Winchester, Virginia to Samuel “It Wasn’t God Who Made asked about Cline’s legacy, Honky Tonk Angels,” “Your production of Always...Patsy and Hilda Patterson Hensley. Alexander was drawn to her Cline. Despite her lack of formal Cheatin’ Heart,” “Stupid empowerment and strength, Always...Patsy Cline begins training, this Queen of Country Cupid,” and “San Antonio which was unique compared May 30 in the Gompertz Music in-the-making was a Rose,” Always...Patsy Cline is to the way other female stars Theatre. For more information talented singer and pianist a charming portrait of one of were marketed at the time, or to purchase tickets, call the in her early years. Growing the most treasured American “Her songs of joy or sorrow box office at 941.366.9000, or up, Cline sang on local radio, entertainers and celebrates her are not the songs of the torch visit floridastudiotheatre.org. performed at local venues, and short, but remarkable career. singer who is often a victim of