Displaying items by tag: Patsy Cline

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of theater and a lot of musical performances. And because of that, people regularly ask what the best show I’ve seen is. Without hesitation, I tell them it was the 2018 Jeff Award-winning production of The Buddy Holly Story at American Blues Theater.

So, when I took my seat for American Blues Theater’s current production of Always…Patsy Cline and opened my program, I was thrilled to see many of the same names I remembered from the Buddy Holly cast and orchestra. And when I looked to my right, I was even more thrilled to see Michael Mahler - the musical director of the Buddy Holly show - seated just down the row, as he’s filling the same role with this show. I knew right then I was in for a night of good music.

Scenic designer Tara A. Houston’s bandstand - this was my first time attending a show at the theater’s Lincoln Avenue digs, which I found to be a really inviting venue - seconded the promise of a good time with its upright piano, upright bass, and lone classic silver Shure microphone just waiting for words to be sung to it. I was so excited for the music that I hardly noticed the rest of Houston’s set - a quaint mid-century kitchen tucked off to the side.

Because that’s the thing… I got to Always…Patsy Cline thinking I was just going to see yet another jukebox musical, albeit one done really well. But with this show, the audience gets a whole lot more than a standard IRL biopic.

Yes, it begins with Liz Chidester waltzing up to that Shure mic and singing into it about being back in her baby’s arms, of going out walking after midnight, of falling to pieces, and of being crazy for feeling so blue. Chidester nails Cline’s look - thanks in no small part to gorgeous costume design by Lily Walls which transports us back to the middle of the 20^th century one chic outfit at a time. And Chidester’s got a wonderful voice that gets to the places Cline’s voice got to, while mimicking that magical warmth and sheen that recordings of that era lent a vocalist. Yes, she makes a fine Patsy Cline.

And yes, the band is killer. Ian Paul Custer conducts while also adding Floyd Cramer-esque flourishes on the piano. Lior Shragg provides more than twenty musical numbers with their steady beat (and his beat-keeping becomes a plot point), joined in the rhythm section by versatile bassist, Marc Edelstein. Lauren Vogel’s fiddle goes from heartbreak to hoedown. And guitarist Nilko Andreas’ Fender Stratocaster approximates the whines of a lap steel one moment before slipping into more stately countrypolitan accompaniment.

Yes, if you go see Always…Patsy Cline simply for an overly generous and expertly played evening of deep cuts (I’d forgotten all about “Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray,” but it was a highlight) and country classics (Chidester’s dreamy vocals carried me off as she harkened the Nile and “old Algiers”), you will get way more than your money’s worth.

But while all of this is going on - while Chidester and her band are transporting us with song after song - this show is also not just another jukebox musical. Instead, it looks at how those singular talents worthy of their own musical affect us, the audience.

That role - of fan, of the one experiencing the music and being transported by the artist - is played onstage by the second member of this two-woman cast. Molly Hernandez - who played Buddy Holly’s wife and muse Maria Elena in not just the 2018 production I so loved but in a more recent Marriott Theatre production of the same, and who’s graced many other stages around Chicago in the years since - plays Louise, a hilarious, hard-drinking, fast-talking, all-heart Texas gal who just loves the records by this Patsy Cline. She loves those records so much, in fact, it leads to a one-night friendship and a lifelong (not long enough, sadly) pen-pal relationship between the two women. While her character’s name isn’t on the marquee, Hernandez is the show’s MVP. She’s the narrator. She’s the heart. And she’s a real hoot - strutting and sassing and boot-scooting all over the place, giving the show a real-world grounding that even the best shows about famous people can’t provide.

What was so unexpected about Always…Patsy Cline is that it understands something most jukebox musicals miss entirely (even the one at the top of my list!): the songs aren’t really the story. The people carrying them around in their hearts are. Director Harmony France gives us the larger-than-life Patsy Cline we paid to see by looking at her through the eyes of one of the millions spinning her records on their turntable.

And that’s what’s still sticking with me… Yes, I’ll remember Chidester’s velvety vocals, Hernandez’s comic and dramatic talent, and again, a killer country-and-western band. But mostly I’ll remember Always…Patsy Cline as less of a biopic than a love letter: to fandom, to friendship, to old country songs, and to the artists whose voices keep reaching across decades to soundtrack our lives. American Blues Theater has done it again with Always…Patsy Cline, running now through June 21st.

This review is proudly shared with our friends at www.TheatreInChicago.com. 

Always...Patsy Cline is a poignant and entertaining jukebox musical that honors the legacy of iconic country singer Patsy Cline through the heartfelt story of an unexpected friendship, which is currently beautifully staged at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. Conceived and written by Ted Swindley, the production is inspired by the real-life bond between Cline and Louise Seger, a devoted fan from Houston who first heard Cline on the radio in the late 1950s. Their connection sparked in 1961 when Seger met Cline before a performance, marking the beginning of a sincere pen-pal friendship that continued until Cline’s untimely death in a plane crash on the way to Nashville on March 5^th, 1963. Patsy Cline was just 30 when her life was cut short, right as she stood on the brink of what many believe could have been a long and illustrious career. Her star was still rising, leaving us to wonder just how far her extraordinary talent might have taken her.

Framed through Louise’s vivid recollections, the musical interweaves narrative and music, featuring over twenty of Cline’s signature songs such as “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and “Sweet Dreams.” As Louise shares their story, Cline takes the spotlight to perform, offering a touching blend of live music and personal storytelling. The show captures not only the spirit of Cline’s music but also the deep emotional bond that fans can forge with their idols, making it a heartfelt homage to lasting friendship and musical legacy.

There’s a spark of something special from the moment Louise—punctual as ever—spots Patsy Cline sitting alone before the show. Summoning her trademark blend of boldness and charm, she approaches, introduces herself, and warmly invites Patsy to join her table with her family and boss. Cline’s easy reply, “Well, why don’t I just join you?” becomes the turning point that launches an unforgettable evening and the beginning of a heartfelt friendship.

From the moment Louise steps into the neon-soaked nightlife of Houston, Texas, Louise reveals she’s no mere admirer—she’s a woman with grit, savvy, and a spine of steel. That very night, she’s floored to find that country music icon Patsy Cline has arrived entirely on her own—no agent, no assistant, not even a friendly face in sight. It’s a glaring oversight, and Louise isn’t about to let it slide.

The real kicker? Cline is booked to sing for four uninterrupted hours. Outraged, Louise takes charge. She marches straight into the manager’s office, Cline trailing behind, clearly unaccustomed to someone going to bat for her. Louise doesn’t mince words. She calmly but firmly asks: at what time is Patsy expected to start each of her two sets? Her meaning is unmistakable—this isn’t one continuous gig; it’s two full shows, and the artist deserves to be treated—and paid—as such.

The bold move pays off. Cline walks away with double the fee and something just as valuable: a chance to rest her voice and spirit between sets.

But Louise’s backstage hustle doesn’t end there. By sunrise, she’s already secured Cline a slot on a local radio broadcast, giving the singer a quick burst of publicity in the regional market. And when it’s time for Cline to catch her flight, Louise is the one who sees her off, driving her to the airport like a trusted friend. In just 24 hours, Louise proves she’s more than a fan—she’s a fixer, a fierce protector, and someone who understands exactly what it means to lift up another woman.

Aja Alcazar takes center stage as the legendary Patsy Cline, and she doesn’t just step into the role — she owns it. With the grace of a seasoned storyteller and the vocal firepower to match, Alcazar channels the spirit of the Virginia-born country icon in a performance that’s nothing short of electric. Her portrayal is steeped in authentic country warmth, infused with a lively sense of sass and vulnerability that makes Cline feel both larger than life and achingly real.

From the moment she launches into the opening notes of “Walkin’ After Midnight,” Alcazar captivates the room, weaving through a powerhouse setlist that also includes timeless classics like “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” and many more. Each song becomes a showcase not only of her vocal skill but of her ability to emotionally inhabit Cline’s journey — turning beloved hits into deeply personal moments. It’s a performance that doesn't just honor Cline’s legacy; it breathes new life into it.

Bria Sudia is equally impressive as boisterous uber fan Louise Sefer. Sudia is adorable, adding a ton of charisma and energy to the role is - and she is damn funny. Louise serves as the heart and storyteller of the production, guiding the audience through her memories with warmth and wit. Though she doesn't perform full songs, she livens the stage with colorful narration, sharp comedic instincts, and the occasional burst of humming or playful singing - especially in moments when Patsy's music stirs something deep within her.

Collette Pollard’s set design at Drury Lane conjures a warm, inviting honky tonk atmosphere, where a live band dressed in classic western attire strums away in the background. This rustic charm seamlessly blends with the intimate setting of Louise’s small-town kitchen, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and personal. Even before the first note plays, the allure sets in—with strands of vintage string lights draped above the stage, casting a nostalgic glow that instantly invites the audience into the world of the show.

Always… Patsy Cline offers a warm, nostalgic window into the golden era of late 1950s country western music, capturing the charm, grit, and heart of the time. But beyond the rhinestones and twangy guitars, the musical is a heartfelt tribute to one of the most iconic voices in American music history—a woman whose star burned brightly and far too briefly.

At its core, the show is also a celebration of human connection. It tells the improbable, yet true story of a friendship that bloomed between a legendary performer and an ordinary fan, offering audiences a touching reminder of how music has the power to bridge worlds. For anyone who has ever dreamed of meeting their idol, sharing a laugh, or swapping stories over coffee, Always… Patsy Cline is a beautiful, funny, and emotionally rich journey that brings that dream to life.

Always…Patsy Cline is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre through August 3^rd. For tickets and/or more show information, click here.

This delightful musical is highly recommended for all ages.

*This review is also featured on https://www.theatreinchicago.com/!