Always Patsy Cline

Jeff Coffell · Post by **Jeff Coffell** » 16 Apr 2007 10:07 am

Any one here done this show? I've kinda been offered the job here locally but have never done much of her material. I'd like to know what kind of practice/rehersal material to get to prepare if I take the job.

Thanks in advance

Jeff C

Jeff Coffell · Post by **Jeff Coffell** » 16 Apr 2007 11:09 am

Just got a call from the director to come and pick up charts and such for the gig. Sorry to have wasted space here.

Thanks anyway

Jeff C

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 16 Apr 2007 1:44 pm

You'll have fun, I'm sure - I always have, and I've been involved in twenty five different 'APC' productions since moving to the USA in '98.

I play the show tonight (Monday, 16th) at the Naples Dinner Theatre. It's the last performance of this particular production and I'm going to make the most of it! I've been doing it since Jan 6th, but haven't, as yet, seen a visiting steel-player!

Maybe tonight someone will come up and surprise me!!!

RR

Jeff Coffell · Post by **Jeff Coffell** » 16 Apr 2007 2:00 pm

If I was anywhere close by, I would certainly surprise you.

I am looking forward to the show. We play pretty much traditional country music and occasionally play a Patsy tune when we have a guest singer.

I'm gonna relax and just enjoy the experience.

Thanks for the reply

Jeff C

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 16 Apr 2007 4:22 pm

Jeff,It's a fun show...I did the Anchorage production of it,the only problem was the promoter chumped us out of a lot of money,Otherwise it was fun.Stu

Bari Smith · Post by **Bari Smith** » 16 Apr 2007 4:35 pm

I've done it with 4 different theatre companies...had a great time,,,just wish they'd all been in the same key!!???

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 16 Apr 2007 7:14 pm

Well, just as I expected, there were no steel-players out there tonight, but I had an even better-than-normal night. Everything I went for seemed to come off, and I enjoyed my tone, too (LG111 + Nashville 112 + RR

).....

Now I have one more week of 'Showboat' (on banj*!), two weeks holiday back home in England, then another Summer at the Medora Musical in ND.

A nice busy year so far....

RR

David Collins · Post by **David Collins** » 17 Apr 2007 3:39 am

Hi Jeff and everyone else,

No wasted space here, at least not for me anyway. I'm very interested in this also.

Our local county theater guild is considering a production of this show, and like you, I've been asked to play steel. Also like you, I'm not very familiar with the material.

I'd love for some of the veterans of APC to fill us in. Song List maybe?

any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 17 Apr 2007 4:04 am

David

This varies very slightly - sometimes the show's owners are in dispute over performance royalties and are temporarily forbidden to include a particular song. 'San Antonio Rose' suffered this fate a few years back, and I haven't played that one in the last ten productions that I've done!

Overture - 'Honky Tonk Angels'
'Honky Tonk Merry Go Round'
'Back in Baby's Arms'/'Anytime' (medley)
'Walkin' After Midnight'
'I Fall to Pieces'
'Honky Tonk Angels'
Come On In'
'Your Cheating Heart'
'I Love You, Honey'
'You Belong To Me'
'Lovesick Blues'
----------------
Entre act - ('I Fall To Pieces')
'Sweet Dreams'/'She's Got You' (medley)
'Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray'
'Crazy'
'Seven Lonely Nights'
'If I could See The World...'/'Just a Closer Walk...' (medley)
'Blue Moon of Kentucky'
'Gotta Lotta Rhythm...'/'Shake, Rattle & Roll' (medley)
'Faded Love'
'True Love'
'Anytime' (reprise)

Encores:
'Bill Bailey'
'If You've Got Leaving On Your Mind'
-------------------------------------------

That's the basis, anyway. Different directors make their own decisions and will drop a tune or vary the running order for 'dramatic'(

) purposes, and sometimes the 'Patsy' needs the keys changing from those in the score.

There are parts that need to adhere to the score, but there are plenty of spots where one can 'wing it', and that keeps me awake!

Edited to add:
If you haven't done a show of this nature before, you'll need to be aware that volume levels should be kept down; some directors consider the live musicians to be a necessary evil (even though they're a 'part' of the show). This is of particular importance during 'underscoring' (melody lines played under the dialogue) when the band needs to be almost inaudible.

Hazards:
If the theatre is drawing on a regular pool of musicians, you may find yourself the only one present who has the vaguest feel for country music. Classical violinists can be super, but won't have studied under Vassar Clements; even some of those have intonation problems, and that can make for a tiring show!

My preference is for no fiddle, but they rarely ask me...

RR

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 17 Apr 2007 4:11 am

Jeff: I did 24 shows of the 'Always Patsy Cline' It was probably similar, we did it at the Cumberland Theater in Cumberland Md back in the late 90's and also took all the songs to what back then was called the Rocky Gap County & Bluegrass Festival at Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland, we did all the songs for The Govenors & Corporate sponsor picnic, had great time doing that also. Bernadette Galanti from Philadelphia played Patsy & sang her songs, although she did not sound like Patsy, she had a wonderful voice & certainly did her songs justice.

Ernie Pollock
Marlen D-10, Marlen S-10, Fender Steel King & Evans SE-150, Naahville 400

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 17 Apr 2007 5:17 am

Jeff..
Let me know when and where. I want to come.

jim flynn · Post by **jim flynn** » 17 Apr 2007 6:02 am

Jeff, let me know also,
Jim

Buddy Griffin · Post by **Buddy Griffin** » 17 Apr 2007 8:00 am

Played it about 10 years ago at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in DC. Pretty much the same songs Roger mentioned. Had a blast. I'd do it again if the opportunity comes my way

David Collins · Post by **David Collins** » 17 Apr 2007 10:39 am

Roger,
Many, Many thanks!

I don't know yet if there will be a production of APC yet, but one of the things that the Theater Guild is trying to decide on is whether or not the local musicians can perform the score. This really helps me to give him an Honest answer to my abilities.

I'll play along with records or cds a few times and decide if I think that we can do it justice. (I expect that we can)

We are blessed with plenty of very good bluegrass pickers here, and a few good country pickers.

I've always wanted a shot at this show, especially after reading the stories here on the forum from the guys who have played it.

Thanks again Roger, and all forum brothers for the constant source of good advice.

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 17 Apr 2007 12:43 pm

Jeff, I think my "BRO" and forum member Russ Wever might be able to give you some tips. He played the show for along time and did a fine job as he always does. Come on in Russ. Bobby

Bill Brummett · Post by **Bill Brummett** » 17 Apr 2007 6:45 pm

Jeff....

Herb Remington in Houston did the original production there and has been in quite a few following prodctions of it. I would guess he's probably done it well over 2 hundred times.

I'm sure he would be glad to share info with you.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 17 Apr 2007 8:21 pm

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts did two runs of the show here in Denver--the first run was close to 1800 shows over 3 years and a encore run was about 200 shows over 6 months. I did over half of them, and subbed the rest out, primarily to Chuck Lettes and some other fine Denver players including Dan Jones. Did some dates, mostly one nighters, around the country with it, also. Had some good times, and developed a great autopilot...

I gotta say Roger is the trooper, with all the various runs he has done. He even had a one night layover in Denver a year or so ago inbetween cities with a Patsy touring company. What does he do on his one night off?? Comes and sees our version

. We had a delightful visit and cocktails afterward, and if you get the chance to run into him--do so--you won't regret it...

Brad Issendorf · Post by **Brad Issendorf** » 17 Apr 2007 8:36 pm

Jeff,
I did Always Patsy Cline in River Falls, Wi a few years back. It was truly a good time. My only complaint was in fact the music. The director was the piano player in the band so she took on most of playing, and did so like a kindergarten teacher would play it with no likeness to the original. The rest of the band was made up of local high school kids and ect who didn't even know who Patsy Cline was. I was mostly a stage prop and did the "Billy Bob" line in the middle. The two gals that played the lead were very good though. I still honestly had to laugh at some of the funny stuff several nights into it. I would consider doing it again given the chance.
Brad

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 17 Apr 2007 9:01 pm

Got called TODAY to do APC, was booked, had to turn it down. Poop.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 17 Apr 2007 9:27 pm

I've done it a number of times, and the fun factor really depends on director, cast, and other musicians. When it's right, it's a real blast. The backstage shennanigans between good musical pals are one of my treasured memories.

Have a ball!

Paul Redmond · Post by **Paul Redmond** » 17 Apr 2007 11:35 pm

If the job ever comes to NW Illinois, give me a call at (815)379-2171. I've done all but a couple of those songs behind a local singer (even though most people wouldn't recognize some of the titles). Key?? Doesn't much matter. 'Theatre Guild' runs shivers up my spine as they really don't have a clue as to what is truly required, but I've dealt with that before.
PRR

Kurt Kowalski · Post by **Kurt Kowalski** » 18 Apr 2007 3:13 am

I agree with Roger's take on the show.
(order of songs)

I worked the show for an entire year in Rochester, NY
(with Nicollete Heart as Patsy) as the steel player
and then worked it for another year
as the steel player with Country Music singer Josie Waverly (as Patsy).

What a great show!

We always had fun.

Watch for your cues and practice.

I would love to do this show again.

Cheers to all the Bodacious BobCats out there!

Later,
"Former Ray Bob"
Kurt

Joe Alterio · Post by **Joe Alterio** » 18 Apr 2007 4:32 am

I'm excited....I'll be doing the shows here in Indianapolis next month!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Apr 2007 7:48 am

Go get 'em, Joe!!!!

Hi, John! It was a good night out for me. For you guys who don't already know it, Mr Macy is a fine musician and he played the show beautifully!

RR

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 18 Apr 2007 10:11 am

Cool! I'll walk over from "Spamalot" (Murat) & check you out.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Always Patsy Cline

Always Patsy Cline

Enjoy!!!

Yeah, loved doing it

when & where

I agree with Roger

Across Michigan St.