One-night showing pays tribute to country singer Patsy Cline

I can remember the first time I ever heard Patsy Cline sing.

Like most kids my age, I was more into this new music coming from across the ocean, but something in her voice immediately grabbed me. I’m sure many people felt the same.

I know Rebecca Miner did.

“Around 1985, I was riding somewhere with my buddy Eric in his truck. He had just gotten a cassette tape of Patsy’s Greatest Hits,” Rebecca recalls. “I’m not really a big country music fan, but I was really taken by her voice. There was such a rich and emotional quality to her music.”

Now, Miner will pay tribute to that voice when she presents a one-night showing of “Patsy: Songs, Letters and Stories” on Saturday, Feb.17 at 7:30 p.m. at Unity Hall.

The show, written by Rebecca, opens with Patsy’s debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and, using personal letters and stories shared by Cline’s close friends, family and colleagues, traces her rise to the top of the country and pop music world.

The result is a work of fiction, but one that is closely based on her biographical information and archival footage, as well as personal letters and stories.

“Our show re-enacts some of her live performances throughout her career,” explains Miner. “We also tell her story by recreating moments found in her letters and through personal accounts. We start in 1955 and hit key moments in her career up to her death in 1963.”

For Rebecca, who majored in Theatre Performance, the show marks the return to the theater stage after a 15-year hiatus. She is quick to differentiate, however, between this production and the staged musical based on Patsy Cline.

“This is not a musical. Actors don’t break into song to illustrate a point in the drama,” notes Miner. “The music is an integral part of telling her story. We recreate her live performances and some of her recording sessions as seen in archival footage or told through stories. So, I would identify this as theater with a lot of great music.”

The cast includes local musicians in the band and actors playing important figures in Patsy’s life.  Cast members include Tim Baldwin (guitar and vocals), Andy Box (keyboards), Jane Bradbury (actor), Marilyn Clark (actor), Joshua Dahlin (percussion), John Handzel (electric and stand-up bass), Garth Miner (actor), George Newton (pedal steel guitar) and E.E. Norris (actor and vocals).

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale at unityhall.com and the Adirondack Cheese Company on Rt.12 in Barneveld. Advance tickets are $20; and tickets at the door are $20 members/$25 for non-members.

“It would be the height of arrogance to say that I sound just like Patsy. She was one of a kind,” admits Rebecca. “My goal is to at least capture the spirit of her performances. I just want to share her story and sing my heart out.  “I hope folks come away feeling like they know, and love Patsy even more than they did before.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Music column: Patsy Cline honored in local show