Patsy Cline gala benefits Ray Price scholarship

Ted Swindley's musical theatre production "Always… Patsy Cline" has played in theatres all over the world since its release in the ‘90s, and on Sunday, March 6, a gala performance of the musical was held at the University Playhouse at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

"Always… Patsy Cline" chronicles actual events which took place in Houston, Texas in 1961. Housewife Louise Seger (Samantha Grace) befriended Patsy Cline (Lou Ann Petty) at a show at the Esquire Ballroom and soon began corresponding through letters with Mrs. Cline. At the end of every letter, Mrs. Cline would sign "love always… Patsy Cline", thereby becoming the inspiration behind the name of the production.

The fact that the show is based around actual events has given one member of the cast special reasons for performing.

"I think it is a very interesting story," Rob McWhorter, an actor in the production, said. "It is from the fan's perspective, which you don't normally, see and I like that about it. I think [Patsy Cline's] influence on music is something that you forget about until it is brought up."

The gala event featured the regular production of "Always…Patsy Cline" and an encore where the cast and crew from the theatre department got on stage and performed songs of their choice for the audience. All proceeds from this production went to the Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship.

The Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship is a scholarship currently being vested on for A&M-Commerce students and the director of "Always… Patsy Cline" feels strongly about making it succeed.

"I don't know if we made enough money with the show to pay everything off, but we made half of what we needed with the Hank Williams play we put on before," Jim Anderson said. "We are asking people to make donations on the A&M-Commerce website, or to send checks made payable to the Ray Price Texas Culture Scholarship to the university."

During the matinee and encore, there was a lot of interaction with the audience, which is atypical for most shows. There were opportunities for the audience members to come on stage and dance to the music and another portion of the show where the audience was led in a sing along. This interaction was one of the show coordinator's favorite parts.

"The level of interaction in the production just goes to show you the closeness the students [in the theatre department] have with the locals and students who come to see our shows," Coordinator of Mass Media and Theater Activities Sheri Humphries said. "It made me feel good to see that interaction."

During the intermissions, snacks and refreshments were provided in the lobby in the form of alcohol and finger foods. All refreshments were complimentary with the purchase of a ticket.

In addition to simply being an event, the "Always… Patsy Cline" gala was an opportunity for a bridging between the local community and Texas A&M-Commerce. "The Bodacious Bobcat Band" was comprised entirely of local musicians who came together solely for this production.