“Always…Patsy Cline” A Fabulous Hit at The Pollard Theatre
Kara Chapman as Patsy Cline and Jodi Nestander as Louise Seger in “Always…Patsy Cline” Photo courtesy of The Pollard Theatre
The Pollard Theatre closes Season 31 with a smash hit. “Always…Patsy Cline” was presented a few seasons ago and the response was so enthusiastic that the only choice was to put it on again. Timothy Stewart returns to direct two incomparable actresses as Patsy Cline and her great friend and fan, Louise Seger. They are Kara Chapman as Miss Patsy Cline and Jodi Nestander as Louise Seger.
The story is based on Patsy Cline’s life and career and comes from the letters the two exchanged from 1961 to Cline’s tragic death in an airplane crash in 1963. The two women had a life-long friendship as deep as that of any friendship lasting decades in the few short years they had to depend on each other. In 1957 Louise Seger heard Patsy Cline sing “Walking After Midnight,” her upcoming release on Decca records, on the Arthur Godfrey Show. Louise Seger knew at that moment that Patsy Cline needed to be a hit, because she was singing the way Louise Seger wanted to sing. Patsy Cline was not an immediate overnight success; she struggled and paid her dues, like all performers must. She never lost her twang, she only gave it class. Chapman gives it the same class.
By 1961 she was on her way, and Louise Seger was well known by Hal Harris at KIKK Radio in Houston for her daily requests for Patsy Cline’s records. When Louise heard that Patsy was going to be in town, she was determined to go to that gig. Seger brought her boss and her boyfriend and they got to the Honky Tonk location a little early. So did Patsy Cline, and when the two women met they realized they were destined to be friends. From that time until Patsy Cline’s death they corresponded and every letter Louise received from Patsy was signed ‘Love, “Always…Patsy Cline”’ and they sent many letters back and forth. The two compared notes on love and marriage, children and men. Both women were quite voluble on the subject of men at their worst, and at their best. Patsy had finally found the right man in Charlie Dick, but he wasn’t so easy to get along with and having an outlet in her friendship with Louise Seger may have made a difference.
Timothy Stewart has brought this show back to standing ovation quality that must not be missed. Jodi Nestander is a wonderful actress who can sing melodiously. She plays a lady who understands Patsy’s voice better than anyone else. Kara Chapman is a wonderful singer who can act truthfully. She plays a lady of great ambition who understands the lyrics of her songs and their appeal better than anyone else. As a young man, Willie Nelson took his song “Crazy” to Patsy because he knew she would know how to sing it! Louise Seger knew it too. That’s what Patsy and Louise had in common. This is what Nestander and Chapman have in common also and it shows. Chapman has a voice that makes you think it is 1963 and Miss Patsy Cline is right there on that stage singing directly to you as if you were the only soul that understood her.
Musical Director Todd S. Malicoate leads the band for “Always…Patsy Cline” with skill and precision. They are quite synchronized and talented. Malicoate is on Keyboard and Jason Hunt is on bass. Aaron Marshall is on drums and Bart Varner plays a mean fiddle. Together they give a seamless quality and professionalism to the performance. Technically, “Always…Patsy Cline is absolutely perfect from the beautiful and practical set with the band in back of the stage to the lighting and sound operations. Costuming as well as scene design is from Michael James. The entire technical team under Stewart succeeds in presenting a perfect space for Chapman and Nestander to perform.
Kara Chapman as Patsy Cline in “Always…Patsy Cline” Photo courtesy of The Pollard Theatre
The incomparable show of a few years ago has grown. The chemistry between Chapman and Nestander has grown in the years, they are natural. They are friends. Their timing is still perfect, their voices blend when they sing together, and they’ve added a mystique and clarity to their performance. Every time Patsy Cline would belt out a song the house would rejoice with her as Louise Seger stood at the fore. Every time Kara Chapman belts out a Patsy Cline song the house rejoices with her and Jodi Nestander is right there in front. Patsy Cline and Louise Seger will never really leave us now.
“Always…Patsy Cline” plays at the Pollard through June 30, 2018. Don’t miss this chance to share in the story of great music by calling the box office at the Pollard Theatre at 405-282-2800. Or visit www.thepollard.org for information and reservations. The Pollard Theatre is located in historic downtown Guthrie at 120 West Harrison. That’s a lot closer than you think. Curtain is 8:00 pm for the evening performances and 2:00 pm Sunday matinees.