The newly named Fox Valley Repertory, formerly Noble Fool Theatricals, continues their inaugural season with the Off-Broadway musical Always Patsy Cline, a touching tribute to the late legendary country singer. Directed by John Gawlik and music directed by Kenneth Jones, performances will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).
Always Patsy Cline will preview Thursday, March 24 through Friday, April 1, 2011. The show will open Saturday evening, April 2, 2011 and continue through Sunday, May 15, 2011.
Tickets are priced at $29 on Fridays (and limited Thursday performances), and at $39 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $49. Group rates and overnight packages are also available.
Written and originally directed by
Ted Swindley, this international hit musical had its world premiere in 1988. More than just a tribute to the late legendary country singer, this Off-Broadway musical recounts Cline's true friendship with a fan from Houston, Louise Seger, whom she befriended at a Texas honky tonk and remained pen pals with until her untimely death. Based on a true story, this tribute stands as a tribute to the legendary country singer who died in a plane crash in 1963 at the young age of 30. The musical centers on Patsy's friendship with Louise Seger, a Houston fan who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961. The title comes from the closing in all of Patsy's letters to Louise - "Love always, Patsy Cline." Complete with humor and true emotion, this 1960s tribute includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Walking After Midnight.
Playing the role of Patsy Cline is
Megan Long, named one of "Chicago's Rising Stars" by Chicago Tribune. Long is returning to Fox Valley Rep after performing in the critically acclaimed and Fox Valley area favorite, Married Alive!, in 2009. Other Chicago credits include The Emperor's New Clothes, Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream (Chicago Shakespeare), Meet Me in St. Louis (Drury Lane Watertower), A Little Night Music (
Light Opera Works), Little Women (
Marriott Theatre), Carter's Way (Steppenwolf), A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and My Favorite Year (Bailiwick Repertory).
"Patsy Cline's music has always been a part of my life," says Long. "I remember my Mother playing her music when I was very young, and that voice stuck with me. Rich, lonesome, haunting, playful. There was no one like Patsy Cline. It is such an honor to sing this music."
Kate Brown will play Louise Steger. Brown's an actor, director and teacher, having worked with Eclipse, Urban Theatre Company, Wild Claw Theatre, Apple Tree,
Northlight Theatre,
Chicago Dramatists, ATC,
Theatre Building Chicago, Metropolis, Drury Lane, Fox Valley Repertory, Comedy Shrine, and the Chicago Kids Company.
John Gawlik, Wheaton native, directs the show after recently directing the remount of The Gift Theatre Company's The Ruby Sunrise at Theater on the Lake, named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine. Other recent directing credits include Fox Valley Rep's
Red Herring, Over the Tavern, smash hit Altar Boyz and the holiday classic A Christmas Story, as well as the Jeff Nominated productions of W;t for The Gift Theatre and Dated: A Cautionary Tale for Facebook Users for Collaboraction's Sketchbook Festival (Festival Best Director). John is the Artistic Director of Fox Valley Rep.
Always Patsy Cline opens on Thursday, March 24, 2011 and runs through Sunday, May 15, 2011. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Thursday performances are available on March 24 and March 31 at 8pm; and April 7, April 21, and May 12 at 2pm. The show is rated PG.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois
Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by the Daily Herald.
Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at
www.foxvalleyrep.org.
Photo Credit: Kimberly G. Morris
