After a highly successful run of “Always … Patsy Cline” in 2013, Stages St. Louis is staging an encore production of the show through August 31 at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza.
Jacqueline Petroccia stars as country music legend Patsy Cline once more, a role she has played a total of four times. Her performance with Stages St. Louis last year garnered her a St. Louis Broadway World Award for best actress.
Zoe Vonder Haar also returns as Texas housewife Louise Seger. She was selected as the St. Louis Theater Circle 2013 outstanding supporting actress for her portrayal of Louise.
“At the heart of the show is a friendship, and I think everyone can relate to that,” said Petroccia of the musical play’s popularity. During the course of the show Petroccia sings 27 of Patsy Cline’s songs.
Based on the real life meeting and correspondence of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger, the play tells the story of how the two met at a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and spent the night bonding in Louise’ kitchen. They continued their friendship via letters until Patsy Cline died in a plane crash in 1963.
“A lot of people don’t realize it, but Patsy’s recording career was from 1957 until she died, and she really didn’t start to get big until right before her death and then thereafter,” said Petroccia. “So when she would go on gigs she had no entourage, she had no personal assistant, she had no bodyguard.”
So after her performance in the Texas honky-tonk, Patsy needed a ride. Louise offered her one, and their friendship started from there.
“When they were talking, it was life, it was family and husbands. Louise was divorced and raising two kids by herself, so there was just a lot of life problems and things to talk about in common,” said Vonder Haar.
Stages St Louis’ regular season begins May 30 with “They’re Playing Our Song” at the Reim Theatre in Kirkwood. The season also includes a run of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Related Events
Stages St. Louis Presents "Always Patsy Cline"
April 25 - August 31, 2014
Tuesdays - Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
The Playhouse at Westport Plaza
For more information, call 314-821-2407 or visit the Stages St. Louis website.
Cityscape is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer, hosted by Steve Potter and funded in part by the the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
