Crazy

Always…Patsy Cline

When theatergoers walk into the Drury Lane Theatre, their jaws will drop. They’ll swear they’ve been magically transported to Nashville’s legendary palace of Country/Western music, the Grand Ole Opry. Thanks to Collette Pollard’s extraordinary, meticulously detailed Scenic Design, the stage, which even houses a smaller stage and a bandstand, seems to stretch beyond the proscenium and out into the audience. That’s also thanks to the Lighting Design by talented Lee Fiskness and the sparkling and dazzling effects he achieves throughout the production. They are nothing less than awesome.

After the humorously obligatory warning about recording, photographing, spitting and leaving your beer cans in the aisles (since the actors will sometimes be entering through the audience), Director Scott Weinstein’s wonderful new production opens with Patsy Cline, singing her heart out. Like Mr. Weinstein’s excellent past Drury Lane productions of RING OF FIRE, ROCK OF AGES and more recently THE LITTLE MERMAID, the gifted, multi-Jeff Award-winning New York-based Director has done it again. Known for guiding his actors to find the honesty in their roles and go the extra mile in achieving their own personal best, Mr. Weinstein adds a highly honed polish to this piece. And whether or not theatergoers are fans of Country/Western music, it’s “Crazy.” Before long they’ll find themselves totally captivated by the magnetism and music of Patsy Cline.

Originally premiering in 1988, this love letter to country music depicts the real-life story of Patsy Cline’s chance meeting in 1961 with one of her biggest fans, Louise Seger. After hearing Patsy Cline on the radio, Louise became a devoted fan. When Miss Cline appeared in person in Louise’s hometown, she decided to arrive extra early for the singer’s performance at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom. Louise even had her boyfriend and boss in tow, certain that they would love the singer, as well. 

The two ladies met before the show, shared personal stories and closely bonded, as if they’d always known each other. After the  show, Patsy was even persuaded to spend a relaxed and comfortable night at Louise’s house, instead of staying alone at some cheap motel. The next morning, on their way to the airport, Louise even convinced Patsy to do an interview at the local radio station. The friendship between these two women continued through letters over the next few years. Then, one sad morning, Louise heard the shocking news of her friend’s tragic death on the radio. This musical is a tribute to friendships and how music can provide a bridge between people, moments and lives.

Aja Alcazar (June Carter in Drury Lane’s RING OF FIRE; THE HEART SELLERS at Northlight) impeccably creates a peerless Patsy Cline. It’s because Ms. Alcazar doesn’t merely play Patsy Cline; she IS Patsy Cline. Thanks to the lovely Costumes by Emily N. Brink and period Hair and Wigs by Bridget Rzymski, Aja bears a haunting physical resemblance to the musical legend. And the way Ms. Alcazar gently caresses every lyric and melody, this talented actor/singer easily grabs hold of the audience from the very beginning and never lets go. Kicking off the evening with her toe-tapping “Honky-Tonk Merry-Go-Round,” and then launching into “Back in Baby’s Arms,” Ms. Alcazar sets the bar high and never lets theatergoers down. Aja effortlessly charms the audience with an array of beautiful songs, concluding three encores: “True Love,” “If You’ve Got Leavin’ On Your Mind” and “Bill Bailey.” By the end of this show, you just want to bundle up this little lady and take her home with you because she feels like an old friend.

What Aja Alcazar brings to this show musically, the always magnificent Bri Sudia, as Louise Seger, overwhelmingly serves up in laudable love, homegrown humor and ardent admiration for her singing idol. The chemistry between these two actresses feels authentic. Luckily for audiences Ms. Sudia, who is a musical star of the highest calibre herself (on Broadway in BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL; at Drury Lane as Mrs. Potts in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ), joins Ms. Alcazar in several numbers. However, it’s the honesty, energy and empathy that Ms. Sudia brings to this warm-hearted and devoted friend that’s so special. Louise recognizes something in her favorite singer that speaks to her heart and warms her soul. Sure, Patsy Cline’s songs and her musical talent are a big part of their relationship; but there’s a much deeper link that immediately connects these two women and connects with the audience, as well.

This marvelous musical, created and originally directed by Ted Swindley, features 27 of Patsy Cline’s most memorable hits. Under Chuck Mead’s skillful Musical Direction, and accompanied by a brilliant six-member onstage band conducted by Ellie Kahn, theatergoers will hear some of their favorites. They include songs like “Crazy,” “Walkin‘ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Your Cheatin‘ Heart,” “You Belong to Me,” “Shake Rattle and Roll,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Just a Closer Walk With Thee,” among many others. 

Right from the start, Scott Weinstein’s peerless production about friendship makes the audience feel completely at home. When the music begins, the audience settles back and melts into their own personal memories of a more innocent era. This gentle, kindhearted story, filled with songs from the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, both mirthful and melancholy, is sincere, heartfelt and moving. It’s kind of “Crazy,” but this show is the musical equivalent of a big, warm hug.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 11-August 3 by Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Drury Lane box office, by calling 630-530-0111 or by going to www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area shows may be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.