REVIEW: “Always …Patsy Cline” is good as seeing the original
While it is doubtful that any of the 300 or so Old Lyric opening night audience members at “Always … Patsy Cline” had ever seen Patsy Cline perform, they certainly got the next best thing.
Cline’s music was often described as “the sweetest music this side of heaven” and Old Lyric patrons got a taste of that sweetness thanks to the talents of Erica Hansen, making her OLRC debut in the musical revue entry of the four-production summer season.
“Always … Patsy Cline” is basically a one-woman show, though Colleen Baum plays second character and sidekick Louise Seger, who developed a friendship with Cline after meeting her at a performance in Houston. The set-up for the show begins with Seger explaining her passion for Cline’s music, then the Houston show, followed by subsequent interactions between the two.
OLRC promoters have suggested that patrons don’t have to be fans of country music to enjoy “Always,” and while that may be true, they will undoubtedly be converts to Cline, at the very least, by show’s end.
Hansen, who has played the legendary singer before in engagements at the Grand Theater in Salt Lake City and will be doing so again in August and September, was perfectly miced by OLRC technicians, and expertly costumed, as well. Hansen was spot-on with her characterization of Cline, with a happy, head-back, mouth-open laugh and shy confidence that perfectly reflected the singer.
But most impressive was Hansen’s voice, particularly her use of dynamics during the slow and pain-drenched songs often favored by Cline. When Hansen/Cline slowed to a quiet, low, soft note during a ballad, you could have heard a heart drop in the audience. Hansen so enjoys her role, that the emotion of the songs simply rolled over and saturated the audience.
The Cline standards — “You Belong to Me,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy” and “Faded Love” could not have been better.
Members of the iPod generation were outnumbered by those on the other side of 55 by at least six to one opening night, so it was not unexpected that Hansen received one of the most rousing and long ovations for her portrayal of the country diva that the Caine Theatre has heard for a Lyric musical in quite some time. In fact, audible moans of anticipation and appreciation were heard as the opening chords of songs became familiar to many audience members.
Making those chords was a top-drawer six-member back-up band, led by Mike Christiansen of USU’s music department faculty.
Baum fought through an opening-night illness and resultant troubles with the script to provide a credible counterbalance to Cline. She was a combination of narrator and comic relief and once she got comfortable with the audience — finally making eye contact and allowing her character some spontaneity — became likable and appreciated.
“Always … Patsy Cline” is a highly enjoyable valentine to a voice that left to make sweet music in heaven way too early.
“Always … Patsy Cline”
Director: Adrianne Moore
Running time: 110 minutes with 15-minute intermission
Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center, Logan
Tickets 435-797-8022, http://boxoffice.usu.edu