Always Patsy Cline at Thomaston Opera House

The Thomaston Opera House, 158 Main St. in Thomaston presents Always Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley on its Main Stage for eight performances beginning November 16 and running through December 1.

Always Patsy Cline is based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. Having first heard Cline on the Arthur Godfrey Show in 1957, Seger became an immediate and avid fan of Cline’s and constantly hounded the local disc jockey to play Cline’s records on the radio. In 1961, when Cline went to Houston for a show, Seger and her buddies arrived early and, by coincidence, met Cline, who was traveling alone. The two women struck up a conversation that was to culminate in Cline spending the night at Seger’s house—the start of a friendship that lasted until Cline’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1963.

The relationship, which began as fan worship, evolved into one of mutual respect. It is the kind of relationship that many fans would like to have with their heroes. Over a pot of strong coffee, the two women chatted about their common concerns. When Cline finally left for Dallas, her next gig, the two women exchanged addresses and telephone numbers. Seger never expected to hear from Cline again, but soon after she left, Seger received the first of many letters and phone calls from Cline. The pen-pal relationship provides much of the plot of the show. The play focuses on that fateful evening at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom when Seger met her idol.

Seger supplies a narrative while Cline floats in and out of the set singing tunes that made her famous, including "Anytime," "Walkin’ After Midnight," "She’s Got You," "Sweet Dreams" and "Crazy." The show combines humor, sadness and reality. It offers fans who remember Cline while she was alive a chance to look back, while giving new fans an idea of what seeing her was like and what she meant to her original fans.

The Thomaston Opera House production features Kaye Ward of Torrington as Patsy Cline and Kathy Cook of Middletown as Louise Seger. The production is directed by George Paris with musical direction by Gary Wolk.

Always Patsy Cline will be presented on Fridays, November 22 and November 29 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, November 16 and November 23 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 30 at 2 p.m.; and Sundays, November 17, November 24 and December 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door, and can be reserved by calling the box office at 860-283-6250.