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DISCOVER! | NOVEMBER 12, 2016
RYLAN HOWE | STAFF WRITER
“ALWAYS...
PATSY CLINE”
Off, Off Broadway tells classic
true tale of friendship
Off, Off Broadway is bringing
a classic country singer to the
stage in the musical “Always...
Patsy Cline.”
The theater troupe will bring the
show to the Ashton Community Center
for four nights of dinner theatre.
From Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-
20, guests can grab dinner catered by
1015 Steak Company before taking
in the show. Entree options include
prime rib, chicken cordon bleu or
breaded swai. Dinner is served at 5:30
p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
The idea for the show was brought
up during the Off, Off Broadway
board meeting over the summer.
“We were throwing around ideas for
our November show and this one was
brought up,” board member and producer
Brad Vander Pol said. “We had
talked about it a few years ago as well.
It’s been awhile since we’ve done a
musical so it’s a nice change of pace.”
The musical follows the friendship
of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger.
Their relationship began as one
between a singer and her fan and
evolved into one of mutual respect.
Much of the plot of the show is
centered around the letters they wrote
back and forth up until Cline’s untimely
death in a plane crash in 1963.
Lissa Lane Johnson is directing the
musical as well as playing the role of
Louis Seger while Tricia Meendering
takes on the role of Patsy Cline.
They will be backed by a five-piece
band as they take the audience on a
journey that includes many of Cline’s
timeless songs.
“The story and premise is really a
heartwarming deal and true story,”
Vander Pol said.
“We had the two cast members in
mind right away. Tricia’s a great singer
and Lissa brings so much theater experience.”
Meendering first saw the play 20
years ago in Nashville, the city where
many classic country hits originate.
“It just gave me goosebumps,”
Meendering said. “And it gives me
goosebumps still now when we’re in
rehearsals. Cline passed away before
I was born but the music has always
been part of my life growing up. She
was classy, cool and it’s such a great
story.”
It’s a story the audience can hear on
any one of four nights this November
in Ashton. It’s one Meendering has
enjoyed rehearsing and believes the
audience will enjoy as well.
“It’s a small group but a big story.
We’ve been loving every minute of
it,” Meendering said, “I hope the
audience is able to enjoy this story
of friendship and admire the great
classic songs. For such a short time
in the spotlight she sure had lots of
great music that will rekindle people’s
memories.”
Playbill | 13
Relive classic country hits, follow a
story of friendship and enjoy a great
meal all in one evening with Off, Off
Broadway and their November musical,
“Always...Patsy Cline.” F
At a Glance:
WHAT: Off, Off Broadway presents
“Always...Patsy Cline”
WHERE: Ashton Community Center
WHEN: Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-
20. Dinner from 5:30 p.m. Curtain
at 8 p.m.
COST: $26
CONTACT: Call 1015 Steak Company
at 712-754-3540 to reserve
seats
ONLINE: Find Off, Off Broadway on
Facebook
Meet the band:
Five musicians will accompany
the two cast members to bring
the musical to life:
Michelle DeKok - piano
Wayne Barahona - lead guitar
Wayne Burnett - guitar
Pete Hamill - bass guitar
Scott DeKok - drums
The Songs:
A list of Cline’s top 10 songs according
to ww.axs.com:
10. “Always”
9. “You’re Stronger than Me”
8. “Back in Baby’s Arms”
7. “Faded Love”
6. “Leavin’ on Your Mind”
5. “I Fall to Pieces”
4. “She’s Got You”
3. “Walkin’ After Midnight”
2. “Sweet Dreams (of You)”
1. “Crazy”
Ashton | Iowa