Strong Women Take Stage to Tell Their Tales

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Strong women take stage to tell their tales

Theater: J. Wynn Rousuck

October 13, 2005
'Always ... Patsy Cline'

A strong woman is also on stage in Winters Lane Productions' Always ... Patsy Cline. The country-western singer who died in a 1963 plane crash at age 30 is splendidly portrayed by Tiffany Walker Porta.
A performer who has just the right twang and teardrop in her voice, Porta sometimes muffles lyrics in her lower register, but that's a minor quibble considering the skill she brings to such Cline classics as "Crazy," "Sweet Dreams" and "Walkin' After Midnight."
Scripted by Ted Swindley, the show has a thin plot that's little more than an excuse for a Patsy Cline concert. The fact-based story concerns a diehard fan named Louise Seger who not only met her idol at a gig in Houston, but persuaded her to spend the night at her home.
Wearing a platinum blond wig the size of Texas, Rebecca Parry overacts - even for a rabid fan. But that, too, only barely detracts from the pleasure of Porta's assured lead performance. This accomplished singer gets worthy accompaniment from a six-piece onstage band under the musical direction of Scott Frutchey. Her four backup singers (Julie A. Bauer, Courtney Colaizzi, Robin Rouse and Gail Shapira) also perform minor acting duties, wordlessly portraying everyone from Louise's boss to her young son.
The production is directed by Daniel L. McDonald, who incorporates a smattering of audience participation (mostly in the form of sing-alongs). But what he and everyone else does best is create the framework in which Porta brings Cline back to life.
"Come On In (sit right down and make yourself at home)," Porta sings. It's excellent advice.
Showtimes for Winters Lane Productions at the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct.