Patsy Cline musical tells story of a special friendship

The story of a special friendship between a legendary singer and her fan comes to life on stage at the O’Shaughnessy Center this week.

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents the intimate cabaret-style “Always ... Patsy Cline” for a summer encore performance. Performances will be July 27-30 and Aug. 3-6 at 8 p.m.

At the center of the story is the country music singer Patsy Cline known for her warmth, wildness and vast emotional reservoir of a voice. But it’s more than just a tribute to the legendary country singer, the musical is based on a true story and recounts Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston, Lousie Seger.

Patsy befriended Louise at a Texas honky tonk in 1961 and the two remained pen pals until her untimely death at the age of 30 in a 1963 plane crash. The title comes from the closing in all of Patsy’s letters to Louise – “Love always, Patsy Cline.”

Amanda Duff Caldwell stars as Cline and Scarlett Schindler plays Seger. When the two first were cast in the roles six years ago they had never met, but today they’ve become close friends which they say only makes their performances even better.

“Every year we’ve gotten better,” Schindler said. “When we first started we were strangers, but now we’re great friends and that translates on stage.”

They say the story resonates with people. So when they took a break from the show last summer, they heard from folks who wanted it to return.

“Everyone has dreamed of hanging out and being friends with their favorite star,” Schindler says.

“And Patsy needed that,” Duff Caldwell adds. “She wanted a friendship and needed it to get through the emotional times.”

Enduring songs like “Crazy,” “Walking After Midnight,” “Your Cheating Heart,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Back in Baby’s Arms” are part of the 23 songs performed in just two hours. Caldwell reproduces Cline’s sultry stylings and gestures for the audience.

“Her songs bring back history for people,” Duff Caldwell said. “There is a tender connection that people continue to have with her music.”

The women feel honored to bring the story to life. Schindler says most performances end with them receiving 350 hugs from the audience who was touched by remembering when their grandfather played Cline’s songs on fishing trips or they danced with their mom in the kitchen to Cline’s songs.

“The audience is having fun and so are we,” Duff Cladwell said. “As long as people enjoy it we will keep doing it.”

In addition to the returning cast, most of the band and crew are returning to the show which makes it a family reunion-type atmosphere. Although the original director of the show, Nancy Nei, was unable to assist this time, the show will still use her original stage directions.

The band, The Bodacious Bobcats, includes director Karla West, Dave Griffith, Connie Rudie, Andrew Campbell, and Ed Hull, along with backup singers Rava Graves, Joey Retz, Sandy Matheny, and Lisa Calloway.

A nostalgic night of theatre is also brought to life with authentic vintage costumes by Lonnie Porro, technical direction by Robbie Moody, and stage managing by Kellie Hoffman.

“It’s the expertise of everyone involved that makes the show something fun,” Duff Caldwell said. “I love the music and I never get tired of being around the people who are involved in the show.”

Tickets are $25 for reserved table or mezzanine seating with food and wine available for purchase.

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performance times. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.

The show is sponsored by Rocky Mountain Transportation.