[yasr_overall_rating]
A loving tribute to country music’s most enduring superstar, the musical journey traces the legendary singer’s rise from her hometown in Winchester, Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry, Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall. Patsy Cline defined the term “crossover hit” by dominating country, blues, pop and gospel charts simultaneously in the 1950s and early ‘60s.
Julie Johnson fills the Granbury Opera House with her stellar portrayal of Patsy Cline in the Dean Regan musical “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.” With only one other actor on stage, Steve Barcus, and a 5 piece band, the show is much more of a music review than a musical. Expect to be swept away with over 20 of your favorite Patsy Cline songs tied together with a very abridged biography. Although well-written, the script seams to barely touch on the highlights of Cline’s life. I would have enjoyed more of a look into who she was, and the events that made her the person and performer so well remembered and loved.
“A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” is one of only two shows sanctioned by the Patsy Cline Estate. It opens with a DJ by the name of Little Big Man (Steve Barcus) running a tribute to Patsy Cline on his radio show. The radio show tribute helps segue the musical through the scenes that tell Cline’s life. Regan offers a supporting roll of Little Big Man, as well as 3 other characters that vividly come to life as the story unfolds. There are a few times that Regan’s segues seamed to lag, but overall, his broad range of characterizations and emotional range add great depth to the show.
From her bold beginnings at 14, when she would sing on local radio shows and just about anywhere else she could get in front of a mic, the show takes us through Cline’s hard and rocky road to fame. It is important to mention that for as talented as Julie Johnson is, and for as brilliantly as she portrays Patsy Cline, the Granbury Opera House venue is as much to credit with the success of this show.
The Granbury Opera House, the architectural crown jewel of historic downtown Granbury, opened its doors in 1886. It soon became a venue for traveling entertainers, vaudeville acts, minstrel shows and melodramas on the second floor, while the first floor was host to a saloon and saddle shop. The original structure continued to operate until 1911. Through the years it would see everything from a grocery store to a bowling ally use it. On June 19th, 1975, following extensive renovation, the curtain to the curtain on the Opera House stage rose again. This time with a two story theater sporting a balcony, four side stage areas and an impressive, yet intimate, stage. Most recently in 2013, the Opera House has undergone an impressive expansion project that has elevated it to a state-of-the-art theater.
The elegant yet intimate Opera House made me feel as though I was seeing Patsy Cline perform in a theater similar to ones she would have appeared at during her all too short life. With a few exceptions, such as when the story takes us to Cline’s time in Vegas and at the Honky-tonk near The Grand Ol’ Opry, the use of minimal set and simple lighting are a perfect pairing for the detailed backdrops used. The Vegas scene seamed to lack presence. I didn’t feel as though I was watching a Vegas show. The Honky-tonk scene could have been grittier.
Julie Johnson has had a career that spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional theater and concerts. She was in the Ft. Worth Casa Manana production of “Always Patsy Cline” alongside Sally Struthers and has portrayed Patsy Cline in 8 productions of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.”
I was considerably hesitant when asked to review the show. Granbury is about a little over an hour drive for me, and at 48, I’m almost too young to be a Patsy Cline fan. Thankfully, my husband grew up with country music being a big part of what was played in his house, and he encouraged me to accept the assignment. For the under 30 crowd who are not familiar with Cline’s music or her life story, “A Closer Walk with Patsdy Cline” may not pull the heart or tear the eye as much as it would for country music fans. That being said, the music and story absolutely transcend all ages. It is absolutely a family show that everyone can enjoy.
Now playing at the Granbury Opera House January 8-31
I wanted to see this production but Granbury is a ways away. I was happy that to find out that this production is moving to Lyric Stage in Irving in February. Not nearly the drive.