Feature: ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE at MID-OHIO VALLEY PLAYERS

Mid-Ohio Valley Players are excited to present Always...Patsy Cline, a fascinating look at Patsy Cline's life as told by playwright Ted Swindley.

Performance Dates: January 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, & 28th, 2018 and February 2nd & 3rd, 2018.

Ticket Prices: $14.00 for Adults, $12.00 for Senior/Student and $9.00 for Youth Under 17. Tickets can be purchased online here or in person at the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitor's Bureau as well as Marty's Print Shop and the theatre box office prior to each show.

Address: Player's Theatre, 229 Putnam Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750

Always...Patsy Cline tells the true story of Patsy Cline (Sherry Wilson Braid) and her friendship with a Houston area housewife named Louise Seger (Leslie McGoron). Seger, a devoted fan from the first time she heard Patsy perform on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957, eventually met Patsy before a performance in 1961. The two women struck up a powerful friendship that would last until Patsy's untimely death in a plane crash in 1963. Throughout their short but close friendship Patsy and Seger corresponded through letters, which Cline normally signed Love Always...Patsy Cline. The two developed a mutual respect and understanding of each other that gave both women strength and resonated throughout their lives.

The play, narrated by Seger and revolving around her reaction to the news of Cline's death, features Patsy performing over 27 songs, including her unforgettable hits, Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Walking After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, and She's Got You. Combining music, humor, sadness, some audience participation and reality, Always...Patsy Cline is more than just a tribute to the late singer who passed away too young; it is a celebration of friendship and life.

Mid-Ohio Valley Player's Board President Kermit Polan is proud of the show, stating that "Always...Patsy Cline is a wonderful, nostalgic show. It is touching." Polan goes on to rave about the cast and crew, "We have an excellent singer as Patsy and an experienced actress as counterpoint. It is sure to satisfy any country music fans, as well as those who like a good human-interest story."

Rod Poling, Director, agrees with Polan on the superb casting, stating that, "The cast and crew have been absolutely wonderful to work with. Special thanks to Sherry Wilson Braid who portrays Patsy Cline and sings like an angel, and Leslie McGoron, who portrays Louise." He adds, "It is a privilege to direct a show about such an extraordinary singer that helped shape country music and inspired so many people's lives in the country music world."

Sherry Wilson Braid, who plays Patsy Cline in the show, took the time to gush about her co-star, "It's been a joy to work with talented folk like Leslie McGoron (Louise Seger), she will dazzle audiences with her wit and natural comfort on stage." As for Braid's thoughts on her role, "Portraying Patsy Cline is always such a pleasure. She is a vocal icon and role model for women of today. Her tenacity, both on and off stage, led her songs to become musical standards."

Braid is no stranger to the role, having previously portrayed Cline on two separate occasions in the early 2000s. She returned to the role in memoriam of the show's previous director, Ron Harmon, who passed away shortly after this show was cast. Harmon had designed the original set for the show in 2000 when it appeared on the Actors Guild of Parkersburg's stage as well as the show's travel set. "He was a true Patsy Cline fan," Braid says. "For me, the MOVP (Mid-Ohio Valley Players) show will be performed in his honor."

Leslie McGoron, who portrays Louise Seger, says her favorite part of the show is it's showing of how real celebrities can be. Quoting her character, she states, "Patsy was just as much us as we were". McGoron goes on to explain, "That is what I like about this show. A chance meeting with a star was as down to earth an any other chance meeting. They became fast friends. It was a simpler time, and this is just a heartwarming aspect of this show."

Always...Patsy Cline is Directed by Rod Poling, with Billie Harmon serving as Assistant Director. Live music is provided by Ken Barton and Mark Doebrich on Guitar, JP Chandler on Drums and Annie O'Brien on Piano.

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