Published: February 27, 2008 03:09 pm            

MUSIC: Local actress to bring Patsy Cline’s legacy back to the stage.

The two-woman musical “Always … Patsy Cline” will tell the story of the popular country singer’s life and feature 27 of her hit songs at the Palace Theatre in Lockport.

“If you know or like Patsy Cline, then you’ll love the show,” said Chris Parada, artistic director for the Palace.

A six-piece band will accompany Theresa Werth, a Gasport-based actress, as she belts out the most popular of Cline’s vocally challenging songs including “Crazy” and “If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child).”

“Old western music is just long forgotten. You don’t hear that kind of music very often anymore — it’s kind of classic,” Werth said.

Parada described Werth as a “versatile” actress who has been active with the theater since 2001. Her past performances include Ruth in “Pirates of Penzance.”

Trisha Stacey, a music teacher from Medina, will play Louise, Cline’s close friend and the musical’s comedic element.

According to Werth, Cline was one of the first women to experience success in the genre.

“She really accomplished a lot for that young age, especially breaking into the country/western scene when probably 97 percent of country singers were men,” said Werth, who has studied Cline’s life since August in preparation for the musical.

The show tells Cline’s story, which involves breaking out into the country music scene, experiencing fame and chart-topping songs on pop and country music charts, and a tragically early death. Cline died in 1963 at the peak of her career in a plane crash at age 30.

For Werth, playing Cline in the musical is the new peak of her career, which began when she developed her love of performing while singing Cline’s tunes as her grandfather played the organ.

“It’s like the pinnacle of doing anything on stage when you get to play a person you’ve admired your whole life,” Werth said.

Kelly Warth is a Union-Sun & Journal intern.



IF YOU GO

• WHAT: “Always … Patsy Cline,” the musical

n WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 7-9 ; 3 p.m. Sunday and March 9

n WHERE: Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave., Lockport

n MORE INFORMATION: Visit lockportpalacetheatre.com or call 438-1130

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.