Stage Door News
Stage Door News
ST. JACOBS – Audiences can’t help singing along to the endless number of chart-topping hits featured in Drayton Entertainment’s newest production, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, on stage now through December 21st at the historic St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre. The production has a record-breaking history at the Schoolhouse Theatre, with a five-month sold-out run 14 years ago.
“A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline is a hit the world over,” says Artistic Director Alex Mustakas. “When audiences enter the theatre, they are stepping back in time and across geography to a live radio broadcast. They truly feel like they are part of the show.”
From small-town Virginia to the bright lights of Carnegie Hall, Patsy Cline’s rise to fame is a monument to persistence, grace and talent. Although her career was cut short, Patsy’s musical legacy remains bright to this day. A country singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success, Patsy Cline embodied the vivacity and charm of many women in country music, but her moxie and shrewd business sense allowed her to take charge of her own career, helping open doors to the lucrative industry in a new way for future female artists to participate.
Patsy Cline was not an overnight success – it took over ten years in the professional music world for her star to finally rise. Her unique style of country music and emotionally expressive voice set her apart from other artists and eventually made her one of the most acclaimed female singers of the twentieth century. Her Greatest Hits album has sold over 9 million copies, and was in first place for over 200 weeks on Billboard's "Top Country Albums." In addition to other awards, Patsy was memorialized with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The beloved star’s memory is brought to life in this Schoolhouse production by Rebecca Poff, whose vocal and emotional range closely mirror the legendary performer, whom millions of fans continue to cherish. Poff has that special something that enables her to break hearts with a tender rendition of "Faded Love," lift spirits with a soulful "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and convincingly sell Cline’s hits like "Walkin’ After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams," and "I Fall to Pieces." She saves the best for last, delivering a powerful rendition of “Crazy” that embodies the heart and soul of Patsy Cline.
“Rebecca Poff is a tremendously talented performer who truly captures the spirit of Patsy Cline,” says Mustakas. “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline gives fans the next best thing to Patsy herself.”
As WINC radio DJ, Little Big Man, Stuart Dowling tells stories about Cline and spins her records for the audience as the production follows her from her first radio appearance to performing at the Grand Ole Opry, at the Mint Casino in Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall in New York. Dowling has excellent comic timing singing some hilarious jingles and doing some funny impersonations that provide many good laughs along the way.
Director Wade Lynch does an excellent job capturing the nostalgic feel of the production. He captures the magic of Patsy Cline’s music and fills the intimate atmosphere of the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre with energy and emotion, ultimately delivering a unique theatrical experience to audience members.
Providing the core sound for this musical journey is an incredibly talented band lead by Music Director Craig Fair, who plays piano for the production. He is joined by drummer Kevin Dempsey, bassist Junior Riggan and guitarist Fred Smith, all of whom sing back up as well as play their instruments throughout the production.
It’s a good-looking show thanks to Lyle Franklin’s mood lighting and some colourful costumes designed by Wade Lynch and Jenine Kroeplin.
A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline is proudly sponsored by Home Hardware and 96.7 CHYM FM. The Media Sponsors are 106.7 Country, 570 News and the Waterloo Region Record Community Partnerships Program. The Design Sponsor is St. Jacobs Furnishings. The 2014 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline will entertain audiences at the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre August 5 through December 21. Regular performance tickets are $42.00 for adults; $25.00 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $34.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets are on sale now and can be conveniently purchased from any computer or mobile device by visiting www.draytonentertainment.com in person at any Drayton Entertainment Box Office, or by calling toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
Photo: Patsy Cline.
2014-08-14
St. Jacobs: "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" opens in St. Jacobs August 14