The Milwaukee Post

18 • Milwaukee County Post • April 6, 2018 18 • Milwaukee County Post • April 6, 2018 'Patsy Cline' is fine, but it could have used more backstory By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — Patsy Cline, in a little more than a decade of performing, was topping the charts when her life was suddenly aborted by an untimely plane crash. She was a mere 30 years old. What a loss to the world of coun- try-pop music. Stackner's present pro- duction of "Always ... Patsy Cline," a revised repeat of a 2012 show, was far superior to the first one. Kelley Faulkner, who fills the title role again, has honed her skills at rendering Cline's style and texture. Her ardent friend and fan, Louise Seger, is played this time by the inimitable Tami Workentin, who is better suited for the role than was Angela Ianonne, a great actor in her own right, but not one who can successfully pull off por- traying an ordinary woman with a comic flair. Workentin is a perfect fit and a hoot to boot. Cline started singing at a very early age but didn't get her first big break until she appeared on the Arthur Godfrey Talent Show in 1957 where she launched her first successful hit, "Walkin' after Midnight." From thereon, she appeared at The Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall and shared the stage with such greats as Johnny Cash, June Carter, George Jones and Willie Nelson, and was also known for her generous support of younger women artists such as Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee. Cline was a determined, tough young woman who insisted that she get paid what she was worth and was always upfront. Before she performed she would announce: "No dough, no show." You did not stiff Patsy Cline. She could defi- nitely hold her own in a male-dominated industry. This trait was not evi- dent in Ted Swindley's script "Always ... Patsy Cline." Though his playlist of her best songs was ster- ling and his delineation of Seger fascinating, his cap- turing of the true persona of Cline was somewhat lacking. Her new friend Seger made Cline look meek by comparison. Meek she assuredly was not. The three-piece very adept orchestra, consisting of conductor and key- boardist Dan Kazemi, bass Mike Ritter, and percussion Patrick Morrow, is on stage. Occasionally they act as backup on some of Cline's numbers. Workentin even joins her on a couple. The plot in this story involves several years in Cline's life when an ardent fan, Seger, approaches her before a concert, express- ing her devotion to her. Cline takes to her and even stays at her house one night where Seger intro- duces her to her friend at the local radio station where she sets up an inter- view for Cline. After Cline left Houston, leaving her new-found friend forever, she continued to write to her until she died. This show is based on Seger's memories and their corre- spondences. Cline once described her own style like this: "I just sing like I hurt inside." And she did, and we all hurt with her. She had a palpable ache in her voice unlike any other. Some of her signature tunes are "Crazy," "Sweet Dreams," "Back in Baby's Arms," "Walkin' After Midnight," 'Your Cheatin' Heart," "She's Got You," "I Fall to Pieces" and "If You've Got Leavin' on Your Mind." And this show treats us to all of them, along with 19 more. It is a generous repertory. Except for too little dia- logue to reveal Cline's per- sonality and personal life (which could easily have been included in her con- versations with Louise), a very enjoyable show. The audience loved it, and I did, too. Thanks to Director Laura Braza, set designer Emily Lotz and costume designer Leslie Vaglica for their creative contribu- tions. ENTERTAINMENT Art "FOLD: Artists' Accordion Books," through June 3, Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum, 2220 N. Terrace Ave., Milwaukee. Exhibition walk-throughs at 6 p.m. April 19 and 1 p.m. May 9. "Talk/Walk: Express- ion Through Accordion Books" with Max Yela at 7 p.m. today. Walk-throughs free with admission. villater- racemuseum.org, 414-271- 3656. $7; $5 for seniors 62 and up, military and stu- dents. Books Milwaukee Zine Fest, 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. It will celebrate 10 years of DIY self-pub- lishing from Milwaukee and around the Midwest. Featuring DIY workshops, zines and mini-comics. Tuesday Evening Book Discussion Group: "Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption" by Bryan Stevenson, 6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Hales Corners Public Library, 5885 S. 116th St., Hales Corners. This peer- led book discussion group meets the second Tuesday of every month in the library's Board Room. No registration required. Reserve a library copy of the book being discussed by calling the information desk (414-529-6150). Forest Ridge Book Discussion Group: "Small Great Things" by Jodi Picoult, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Forest Ridge Senior Residence, 11077 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners. This librarian-led discussion group meets on the second Tuesday of every month. Please call Adult Services Librarian Eric Branske (414-529- 6150 ext. 15) to sign up for one of the sessions and to reserve a library copy of the book being discussed. Dance Milwaukee Rebels Swing Dance Club, beginner West Coast swing lesson, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., inter- mediate, 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., and advanced 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Sunday, The Delaware House, 2499 S. Delaware Ave., Milwaukee, no partner required, $12 each. With $30 membership fee receive free beginner swing lessons for a year. West Coast swing work- shop, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginner ($4) and open dance ($10), no part- ner required, 8:30 p.m. to midnight May 19, July 21, Sept. 29 and Nov. 3, Casa di Danza, 21415 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin. www.milwau- keerebels.com. Milwaukee Ballet's "Beauty and the Beast," 7:30 p.m. April 12, April 13 and April 14, and 1:30 p.m. April 14 and April 15, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee. $40 and up. 414-902-2103 or visit mil- waukeeballet.org. Stomp, 8 p.m. April 13, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 14, and 2 p.m. April 15, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. $39.50 to $69.50. www. pabsttheater.org, 414-286- 3663. Film Wednesdays at the Movies at the Library: "The Ballad of Lefty Brown"(rated R), 2 p.m. Wednesday, Hales Corners Public Library, 5885 S. 116th St., Hales Corners. Starring Bill Pullman, Peter Fonda and Tommy Flanagan in a tale of revenge that crosses the Montana frontier. Admission is free, and coffee and soda will be sold before the movie starts. Health Gentle Chair Yoga, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday as well as April 19 and April 26, Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. This introduc- tion to yoga will focus on low-impact and chair- assisted poses. Taught by certified instructor. Chairs provided; if you prefer a mat, bring your own. Registration required; 414- 286-3011 or www.mpl.org. BloodCenter of Wisconsin — Milwaukee County blood drives: ■ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 17 UWM Union Ballroom, 2200 E. Kenwood, Blvd., Milwaukee. ■ 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18, Summit Place, 6737 Washington St., Milwaukee. ■ 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 Oak Creek High School, 340 E. Puetz Road, Oak Creek. ■ 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30 Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, 2901 Kinnickinnic River Parkway, Milwaukee. During April, all attempting blood donors at BloodCenter of Wisconsin community drives and donor centers will receive one coupon redeemable for four free outdoor waterpark passes to Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells. Donors can schedule an appoint- ment by calling 1-877-BE- A-HERO (1-877-232-4376) or visiting bcw.edu. Kids Fun with Library Friends Story Time, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Milwaukee Public Library — Bay View Branch, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee. Listen to the hijinks of Amelia Bedelia, Elephant and Piggie, and other library favorites. Create artwork celebrating friendship. Paws to Read, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Milwaukee Public Library — Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. Read out loud to a cuddly canine. Say hello, give a pet or read a selection of good books to furry friends pro- vided by The Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Great for reluctant readers. "Beauty and the Beast" Story Time. 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink reads the classic fairy tale aloud in the Central Library's Children's Room. The after- noon includes a visit from members of the cast and a ballet-inspired craft. Submitted photo The Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents "Always ... Patsy Cline" in the Stackner Cabaret through May 20, featuring Kelley Faulkner as Patsy Cline and Tami Workentin as Louise Seger with band. "Always Patsy Cline" The play runs through May 20 at the Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee. Call 414-224-9490 or visit MilwaukeeRep.com for times and tickets. At a glance THE LIST THE LIST

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