Nov 9, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Scooter MacMillan, marketing director
Springer Opera House
706-256-0955
smacmillan@springeroperahouse.org
Columbus, GA--11.9.2015: “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” one of the most popular shows in the Springer Opera House’s history, returns to the State Theatre of Georgia Nov. 12-22.
“A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” has been produced three times before and every time it was a big hit.
“People just keep on asking for us to do this wonderful musical,” said Paul Pierce, the Springer’s producing artistic director. “Our audiences just don’t seem to be able to get enough of this show. And the people who are seeing it for the first time become just as enthusiastic.”
“A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” is a musical retelling of the story of Cline’s life, from her humble beginnings and early performances at honky-tonks to her rise to performing at the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall and Las Vegas.
Her career pioneered and set the standard for a crossover artist. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Patsy Cline simultaneously dominated the country, blues, gospel and pop charts.
“A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” won the Best New Show Award when it premiered in Branson, Mo., in 1995.
The show features a powerhouse singer and actress, Sandia Ahlers, who played Ramona Juracko in the Springer’s national tour of “Della’s Diner” last year. Ahlers has performed leading roles in such musicals as “Anything Goes,” “Legally Blonde, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “The Marvelous Wondrettes,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
“I’ve been listening to Patsy for as long as I can remember,” said Arkansas native Ahlers. “It’s such an honor to celebrate her legacy.”
“A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” features a live band and includes Cline’s greatest hits like “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Sweet Dreams,” “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.”
Patsy interacts throughout the show with Little Big Man, a disc jockey from her hometown in Winchester, Va., as well as a host of outrageous stand-up comics that serve as warm-up acts for her concerts and radio shows. All of these roles are played by Russ Yoe. Yoe played Sheriff Ronnie Frank in Della’s Dinner at the Springer and in the Springer’s national tour last year and Bertram Cates in the Springer’s Mainstage production of Inherit the Wind (2010)
Performances are in McClure Theatre, which is right behind the Springer on 1st Avenue, and are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays (Nov. 12-14 and Nov. 19-21) and Sundays (Nov. 15 and Nov. 22). For tickets or more information: springeroperahouse.org or 706-327-3688.
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