Play raises money for theatrical troupe’s building
By Scott Bellile
There are two reasons the Wolf River Theatrical Troupe is bringing back the country western musical “Always…Patsy Cline” for its third annual run this weekend.
One, the show is a hit among crowds. And two, strong attendance benefits the nonprofit organization’s bottom line.
That revenue is key now that WRTT is a property owner and in the midst of upgrading its home at the Real Opportunities Outreach Center, 304 St. John’s Place, New London.
New London residents Malcome and Amy Hathorne gifted the building to the WRTT in December. The Hathornes had leased space to the WRTT since 2015, when the couple started an art studio and operated it for about a year.
“Since (December) we’ve been trying to do some improvements that work for the theater,” WRTT President and “Always…Patsy Cline” Director Margie Brown said. “One of our first concerns was the basement because it leaks. We put over $6,000 in a basement system so it doesn’t leak anymore. And we had the carpets all cleaned all the way through the building. We did some painting, some sorting and cleaning and tossing, and we’re in the process of adding new lights and still working on audience risers.”
The tiered seating will help the crowd see the stage more easily than the current setup of all chairs being at the same level, Brown said.
Scott Bellile photo
“Always…Patsy Cline” was consistently a sellout show for WRTT in 2017 and 2018, grossing thousands of dollars for the troupe each year, Brown said.
This year a supporter stepped in and donated the $3,000 fee to cover the performance rights.
And with minimal scenery or costumes necessary for “Always…Patsy Cline” – the musical is essentially a concert – the WRTT can hang on to a good chunk of its ticket sales for this production.
Ted Swindley’s script centers around the friendship that formed between Cline (portrayed again by Molly Stillwell) and her devoted fan Louise Seger (Debbie Martin) in 1961 in Houston, before Cline’s unexpected death two years later.
Seger narrates the show while Cline belts her famous tunes including “Anytime,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “She’s Got You,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Crazy.”
This year’s run starts Friday, June 21, and continues June 22-23 and June 27-29. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. each night at Real Opportunities Outreach.
Tickets cost $15 each. The show consistently sold out in the past, so reserve seats by calling 920-538-0623 in advance.
In reprising her role as Seger, Martin said it is an honor to be part of a play that brings joy to so many people.
“Some people are coming just to be entertained, but some people are coming to walk down memory lane or in memory of someone else” who was a Cline fan, Martin said. “Patsy Cline touched a lot of people’s hearts.”
The musical’s show band includes Polly Godell, Tiffany Schulz, Barb Bricco, Chayton Behnke, Paul Nieto and Taylor Price.