TexARTS Opens A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE Next Week

To kick off its 2017-18 Professional Series, TexARTS pays tribute to a music legend with the regional premier of A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE by Dean Regan. Starring Lilly Lane Stafford, the show runs July 14-30 at the Kam and James Morris Theatre in Lakeway.

Patsy Cline defined the term "crossover hit" by dominating the country, blues, pop and gospel charts of the 1950's and early 1960's. Featuring over 20 of Patsy's unforgettable hits, this toe tappin', foot stompin' tribute traces her career from the early days of singing in honky tonks, through her rise to fame at the Grand Ole Opry, to her triumph at Carnegie Hall. You'll love takin' this closer walk with the down-home girl who became a country music legend.

Lilly Lane Stafford takes on the title role of Patsy Cline. She is a recent graduate of the musical theatre program at UT-Austin. She returns to TexARTS having recently performed in "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Austin audiences will recognize her from role as "Jo March" in the recent UT production of "Little Women."

"A lot of what made Patsy so unique as an artist was her ability to convey such raw emotion through the sound of her voice," said Stafford. "There is such specificity in every word she sings, and the heart of the song is so accessible."

Joining Stafford is Austin actor Tyler Jones. Jones has made a name for himself appearing on stages throughout the city. He was recently seen playing "Mr. Banks" in Zach Theatre's "Mary Poppins."

CREATIVE TEAM
TexARTS is proud to welcome Megan Richards Wright as director. Wright is joined by music director Jerome Schoolar, the Emmy Award-winning creator and star of the PBS television series "The Biscuit Brothers." Bringing Patsy Cline's world to the TexARTS stage will be scenic designer Donna Coughlin, lighting designer Stephen Pruitt, sound designer John Cates, costume designer TalenA Martinez, props designer Reilly Cox and stage manager Mary Cox.

Tickets

Individual tickets are now on sale and start at $40. Purchase tickets at www.tex-arts.org or call the TexARTS Box Office at 512-852-9079 x101

Showtimes: July 14-15, 20-22, 27-29 at 7:30 p.m.; July 16, 23, 30 at 2:00 p.m. A student preview performance will be held on July 13.

Venue
All performances will be held at the intimate Kam and James Morris Theatre at TexARTS' Erin Doherty Studios, 2300 Lohman's Spur, Suite #160, Lakeway, TX. The lounge opens one hour prior to curtain and offers a bar and a pre-show happy hour. Parking is free.

TexARTS
TexARTS, the Lake Travis nonprofit for the visual and performing arts, offers completely staged professional productions and is a performing and visual arts educational academy. TexARTS is proud to employ hundreds of professional regional actors, musicians and artistic staff living here in Austin.

Photo credit: Karla Ent

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