Patsy Cline act returns to WiLLow LeaVes

The iconic Patsy Cline is set to return to the WILLow LeaVes stage as Lisa Barrett reprises her role as the beloved country singer for one night only at 7 p.m. Aug. 4.

Barrett says her affection for Patsy Cline began a few years ago while preparing for her performance as the iconic singer in the play “Always Patsy Cline,” which was based on the book “Love Always, Patsy: Patsy Cline’s Letters to a Friend” written by Cindy Hazen and Mike Freeman.
Barrett spent her time researching the singer and studying everything she could about her, from Cline’s voice to the way she carried herself and her mannerisms.

“I absorbed everything I could about her,” Barrett says. “And after the run of that show, she was in my wheelhouse and I didn’t want to let go of that.”

And so the show “’Sweet Dreams’: A Tribute to Patsy Cline” was born.

The show chronicles the friendship between Cline and Louise. The show’s storyline perfectly captures the dynamic, sisterly bond the two women shared and features nearly two dozen of Cline’s songs, including “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.”

The one-night-only performance marks the third reprisal of the show, says producer and director Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle.

The play debuted at WILLow LeaVes in 2015 and the audiences absolutely loved it, Pyle says.

“Some people have come to every performance and have already made reservations for this show,” Pyle says.

So what makes Patsy Cline so popular even today?

“Patsy cline is well loved by almost everyone across the board,” Barrett says. “It doesn’t matter what your favorite genre is it seems she has song that fits in it and she is timeless. She is a classic that will always be well-loved.”

Although it has been more than 55 years since singer’s tragic death in a plane crash, her influence and impact on American country music is still felt today.

And it is an appreciation for Cline that Pyle hopes the audience takes away from the upcoming performance.

“If they’ve never had an appreciation for Patsy Cline before that they walk away with the warm fuzzies about the wonderful woman and singer that she was,” Pyle says. “I hope they get an appreciation for old fashioned country music and what patsy cline was all about.”

Pyle says Cline’s talent and style would have definitely allowed her to make an impact today even given an evolved music scene and the ‘new country’ sound.

“Country has changed so much and has become more rock than country,” Pyle says. “But she had such a distinctive voice and style that I think she would still come out on top. She has that ‘it’ factor and you either have it or you don’t.”

“I feel like I am a kindred spirit with her,” Barrett says. “She is always going to be a part of me.”

With opening night just around the corner, Barrett is hopeful the performance brings in long-time Patsy Cline fans and that even some new ones are made.

“I hope that when they leave they feel like they were transported back in time for two hours and they get reacquainted with that magical thing Patsy Cline had,” Barrett says. “Even if they are younger people, I hope they feel that spark that people felt when she was alive and what’s kept her enduring the test of time throughout all these decades.”