Patsy Cline is forever known as one of the greatest country singers of all time. She was also a true friend to many, including Louise Seger, a loyal fan. 

Based on a true story, Always…Patsy Cline tells a story of an unlikely friendship between the country music legend, Patsy Cline, and one of her fans from Texas, Louise Seger. This Centenary Stage Company show, which begins its run at the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center on July 29, is more than a tribute to the beloved country singer, and shows Cline and Seger’s friendship develop over years of correspondence up until Cline’s untimely death. Throughout the show Louise brings the audience on a journey through her memories with the letters they sent to each other accompanied by some of Patsy Cline’s greatest hits.

Co-directing and choreographing this production is Centenary Stage Company’s own Lea Antolini-Lid with Jillian Petrie.  Antolini-Lid serves as the program director for CSC’s Young Audience Series as well as producer for the NEXTstage Rep. Summer Musical Theatre Series. Petrie works at Centenary University as an adjunct professor, and her recent directorial and choreography credits include professional Off-Broadway productions (AEA), opera, regional theatre, film, and international concerts.

Always…Patsy Cline features CSC alumni Emily Bennett as Patsy Cline. CSC audiences may remember Bennett from such productions as The Merry Wives of Windsor, Beauty and the Beast and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Opposite Bennett, and making her CSC debut, is Kayla Chirip as Louise Seger. Chirip is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and currently serves as Centenary Stage Company’s Theatre Office Manager.

Ted Swindley’s Always…Patsy Cline will run from July 29 through August 8 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown. The performance dates and times are Thursdays, July 29 and August 5 at 7:30 pm, Fridays, July 30 and August 6 at 8 pm, Saturdays, July 31 and August 7 at 8 pm, and Sundays, August 1 and 8 at 2 pm. Tickets range from $25.50 to $29.50 for adults with discounts available for select performances for seniors, students, and children under 12. Additionally, Thursday evening performances are “family nights” with a special “buy one get one free” ticket promotion when purchased in person at the CSC box office beginning at 5:30 pm.  Buy One/Get One is not available for advance sales on-line or over-the-phone.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900.  The Centenary Stage Company box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5 PM and two hours prior to all performances.  The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Centenary University at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown. Centenary Stage Company can also be found across social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Like and follow to receive the latest in CSC news and special offers.

Centenary Stage Company remains committed to the health and safety of our community and adheres to all requirements set forth by the State of New Jersey.  For more information regarding CSC COVID-19 policies and policy updates, visit centenarystageco.org/faq.

The 2020-21 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, and CSC corporate sponsors, including Platinum Season Sponsor The House of the Good Shepherd, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center Atlantic Health System, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), and Fulton Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

(Photo courtesy of Trevor Callahan)