Published: September 30, 2009 02:36 pm      

Sherman Players open season with Patsy Cline

Friday evening, members of the Sherman Community Players’ will open their new 2009-2010 season with the country western musical “Always, Patsy Cline” written by Ted Swindley.

Based on a true story, the play follows the beginning and continuing friendship between the late country superstar and a devoted fan from Houston named Louise Seger.

The Players originally presented the show in 1999, and it was an immediate sell-out. The play was brought back several months later and performed to SRO crowds, then returned again in the summer for the annual fund raising benefit held in the municipal ballroom.

According to SCP managing director Ron Cassady, “Always, Patsy Cline” has been one of the most requested shows by area theater patrons.

“It’s a perfect combination of great country music and hilarious comedy,” said Cassady.

Providing the music as Patsy Cline is Julie Johnson, who has portrayed the country superstar all over the country in productions of “Always, Patsy Cline” and “A Closer Walk With Patsy.”

Johnson is a native of Whitewright and a graduate of Austin College and in 1980 played Anna in SCP’s production of “The King and I.” Since then, she has gone to perform on Broadway, off-Broadway and in numerous regional theaters throughout the country.

Providing the laughs, will be Karen Schuth of Denison, cast in the role of the adoring fan. Schuth is a local favorite among SCP theatergoers, having performed in numerous comedies and musicals.

Most audiences recognize her as the character “June” from the “Smoke on the Mountain” trilogy of the past three seasons.

Playing over 20 Patsy Cline songs will be band members Ben Vincent from Tom Bean on steel guitar and fiddle, and from Sherman, Fred Freeman on bass fiddle and Frank Steele on drums. Playing electric guitar is Michael Williams from Savoy, and rounding out the band is Dan Althoff from Durant on piano. Scottie Johnson is the music director and Chessica Burton serves as stage manager.

“Always, Patsy Cline” plays Oct. 2-Oct. 25 in the Finley Theater at 500 N. Elm in Sherman. Performances are held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.

Tickets are priced from $7 to $14, and reservations may be made by calling the box office at (903) 892-8818 or by coming to the box office in the Honey McGee Playhouse, located directly behind the Finley Theater. Group rates are available by calling Darlene Schweizer at (903) 893-7652.