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Regional Reviews: St. Louis Always... Patsy Cline Alao see Richard's review of Six Degees of Separation
The run of Always... Patsy Cline has been extended, but it may still be hard to get a seat, going by all the gossip this week. Blame it on Ms. Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar (as Patsy's most ardent fan) for their delightful work on stage—along with the vibrant vocal legacy of Ms. Cline herself, who died in a plane crash in 1963 at the age of 30. Ms. Petroccia has toured singing Patsy Cline's songs for years now and seems utterly at home in the role, having played her in Always... in three separate productions before this. And if you can imagine anyone having the nerve to get up in front of 400 people to sing "Crazy," and then eliciting cheers and shouts of "encore," well, you pretty much get the picture of her amazing appeal. The live band is pretty terrific, too. On the other hand, I think the worst example of a nostalgic musical revue in my life was some 15 years ago, when the Rockettes toured back into St. Louis with Suzanne Somers. Back then, before she became a spokesman for mega-dose health supplements, Ms. Anton was stringing together kick lines and pastiche, almost invariably beginning each gushing new introduction with the deadly phrase, "Remember when... ." I still cringe. Here, though, Ms. Vondar Haar is feisty and visceral in her chats with the audience, with nearly every bit of connective monolog being a funny, charming interlude that adds nicely to one or both women's characters on stage. Credit Ted Swindley for the lively book, but Ms. Vondar Haar and director Michael Hamilton for the excellent comic appeal. But there's always that odd feeling, as Ms. Vondar Haar can barely contain herself, reminding us that just maybe it's all just made up in her character's head—the relationship with Patsy and the lengths she'd go to, protecting the rising star from being taken advantage of, along the way. It's a little like Prince Hamlet and his father's ghost, motivating a slew of gigantic events, even as the ghost (Ms. Cline, here) remains unseen by the rest of the world—so you just never quite know if her biggest fan is Danish-crazy or not. Until maybe you see the little note in the program that says, "based on a true story." Which, of course, could mean anything. But I'm pretty sure her Louise may be just a little bit crazy either way, even if it is all true. All the great songs are there, plus a lot of "B-side" material which adds nicely to the legend, including a couple of lovely old hymns. And the place even starts rocking pretty respectably in the Patti Page number "Stupid Cupid." Throughout, Ms. Petroccia carries the mantle of immortality with lightness and grace. Makes you wonder why this show couldn't just run forever. Songs include "Back in Baby's Arms," "Anytime," "Walking After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces," "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," "Your Cheating Heart," "You Belong to Me," "Sweet Dreams," "She's Got You," "Seven Lonely Days," "Blue Moon Of Kentucky," "Shake Rattle and Roll" and more, in nearly two hours' running time. Additional day and night performances have been added through June 30, 2013, at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, at the south end of the Kirkwood Recreation Center, 111 South Geyer Rd. For the latest scheduling information visit www.stagesstlouis.org or call (314) 821-2407. Cast The Band Crew * Denotes member, Actors Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers in the United States. Photo: Peter Wochniak
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