Harvey is Patsy Cline
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Ann Harvey plays the country music legend in the Commons Group's "Always... Patsy Cline." Photo by David Garten |
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By Jim Lowe Staff Writer - Published: August 9, 2009
WAITSFIELD — Ann Harvey IS Patsy Cline in the Commons Group production of "Always ... Patsy Cline," which opened last week at the Skinner Barn.
The New York actress, actually a Duxbury native, played the legendary country singer in Peter Swindley's mix of concert and story of the friendship between Cline and a fan. That fan, Louise Seeger, was played by Vermont actress Mary Wheeler.
Cline (1932-1963) remains a legend though her career was cut short by her death in a plane crash. Cline's effectiveness can be related in her explanation of how she sang: "Oh, I just sing like I hurt inside."
Not long before her death, Cline began adding show tunes and pop favorites by the likes of Irving Berlin to her repertoire.
"Always … Patsy Cline" uses the story of a Houston fan she befriended to give a storyline to the concert of Cline favorites. Harvey not only does a fine job of putting across these country classics, she does so with Cline's stage presence. That is not to say she sounds like the country star; rather, she convinces that she is Cline.
Supporting the story is Wheeler as the newfound friend (a true story), and Wheeler proves a fine singer as well. She also is a wonderful southern caricature.
More importantly, directed by Peter Boynton, Harvey and Wheeler interact naturally and convincingly — making it easy to laugh and cry with them.
Harvey is backed by "The Bodacious Bobcats," led by Paul Lincoln, the production's music director, on piano. The result is an authentic- sounding country flavor.
The Commons Group's "Always… Patsy Cline" is a delicious, sentimental mix of theater and country music.