Music has a way of seeping into your pores. There's no way to explain the affect that certain songs or artists can have on an individual. It's as if they speak to your soul. Those are the notes and lyrics you heart would have sung if it had a voice. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre's latest show, "Always... Patsy Cline" is a musical created to celebrate this very fact and the unlikely friendship that formed between the singer and one of her biggest fans. After meeting during a concert Cline gave in Texas, Patsy and Louise Seger became real life pen pals.
Christine Mild stars as Patsy Cline, the world-renowned country singer. It's obvious Mild is comfortable in the role, one that she's performed all over the country. Not only does she sound shockingly similar to Cline, she also bears an eerie resemblance to the singer. Her rich voice washes over the crowd in every number. She brings a southern charm and cheek to the role, which is perfectly complimented by her friend's sass.
Seger, played by Erin Parker, is the mouthy fan that becomes Cline's fast friend. Parker is quirky and blunt and easy to love and the two hit it off with an enviable ease. The two actors have an easy camaraderie and the friendship feels natural.
Fans of the Smoke on the Mountains shows Beef & Boards has done in the past will be wooed by the talented band's live music. Smoke cast members, Sarah Hund and Jayson Elliott, are two of the performing musicians. The show boasts 27 songs, not including any rollicking encores. It includes everything from Cline's moving renditions of hymns to honky-tonk hits. The show is a treat for Cline fans, but that's certainly not a prerequisite. I'm embarrassed to admit I couldn't name more than one song of hers before the show, but recognized many during the production and am certainly a fan now.
Don't Miss the Show
Performances: The show runs until June 6. Doors open for evening performances at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The buffet is served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. For Wednesday matinees doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the buffet is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The show begins at 1 p.m. For Sunday matinees doors open at 12 p.m. and the buffet is served from 12:15 to 1 p.m. The show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: To purchase tickets call (317) 872-9664 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Prices range from $35 to $58 and include the show, tax, coffee, tea and the buffet.
Photos Courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
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