Opening of "Always ... Patsy Cline" at Stoneham Coincides With Singer's 70th Birthday

Friday, September 6th through September 29th, the hit musical, "Always ... Patsy Cline" will be presented at STONEHAM THEATRE (395 Main Street, Stoneham, MA - 781-279-2200 - http://www.stonehamtheatre.org/). The Main Stage production kicks off the 2002-2003 season with the original play by writer and director, Ted Swindley, and includes more than 20 songs made famous by the country western songbird-songs that are instantly recognized by millions of people who came of age during the 50s and '60s. "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Your Cheating Heart" are just a few of the legendary tunes recorded by "the queen of country music." Tickets are $25-35 (senior/student/group discounts available) and are available by calling the box office.

The opening weekend of the play coincides with what would have been the singer's 70th birthday on September 8th (Patsy Cline died tragically at the age of 30 in plane crash in Tennessee). Her influence on music has transcended generations of artists, and her "Greatest Hits" package has been on Billboard's country charts for more than 500 weeks. A new CD on MCA "Nashville, Remembering Patsy" includes such diverse artists as Diana Kral, Natalie Cole, Lee Ann Womack and kd Lang, all who consider her to be one of the most important female vocalists in the history of recorded music.

The musical chronicles the friendship between Cline and a fan, Louise Seeger, who met before a show in a Houston honky-tonk. For the next two years, up until Cline's death, they exchanged letters and phone calls and became close friends, although they never again met in person. With more than 20 songs made famous by Patsy Cline in the production, a six piece steel guitar band, and a poignant and sometimes hilarious narration by girlfriend Seeger, the musical is a fascinating look at fame, friendship and the most common ailment of all: the achy-breaky heart.

"Always ... Patsy Cline" stars Becky Barta who has been cast in the role numerous times since 1995 and was recently seen in the North Shore Music Theatre's production of "Footloose." Leslie Alexander will play the part of Seeger.

Writer/director, Ted Swindley, will hold a Playwrights Forum on Sunday, September 8th, immediately following the 2:00 pm matinee.

A complete schedule of the 2002-2003 Main Stage productions and concerts is available at the web site at http://www.stonehamtheatre.org/.

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