A Walk Back in Time with Patsy Cline
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes
You don’t have to be a country music fan to enjoy the music of Patsy Cline. Her bright, lively songs crossed over onto pop music charts and she had that special charisma that got people talking about her. Drayton’s first show after a long, unfortunate interval is A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, a delightful show which transports you back in time, allowing you to be a part of her audience in locations such as Nashville, Las Vegas, and New York City.
The set cleverly orients us as to our location: There are several gigantic records towering on the stage. One of the records has a centre that turns around and our seats are teleported to The Grand Ole Opry or Carnegie Hall.
The show begins with Little Big Man, a Winchester, Virginia disc jockey, played by Wade Lynch, who has worked with Drayton Entertainment for over twenty years. Lynch also performs some comedy acts between performances. Lynch has great timing and received generous laughter. The show seemed to begin even before everyone was seated, as Lynch spun some country hits of the era, warming us up for the live performance. He walks us through the Patsy Cline years, her marriage, her car accident, her awards, and ultimately, he has the task of announcing her untimely death.
Rebecca Poff is tremendous in the lead. This is not her first starring role as Cline. She has excellent control over her voice, and she does a terrific job of evolving the young Cline into a more seasoned star. She works her way through heartfelt hits such as “I Fall to Pieces”, “Your Cheating Heart” and the livelier “Bill Bailey Won’t You Please Come Home” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. The costumes vary from country charm to sheer glamour. Accompanying Poff is a band with guitar, bass, drums and keys (which has the appearance of an old upright piano.)
Patsy Cline’s music is timeless. There were young people in the audience, born decades after Cline’s death, clearly enjoying the show. As there are some colourful jokes by Lynch, this show is intended for adults of all ages. Drayton is back, leading off with great old-fashioned country style!
A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline continues until December 26 at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. For tickets, call 1-855-372-9866 or buy online at draytonentertainment.com.
Photo: Rebecca Poff as Patsy Cline.
A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline
Written by Dean Regan
Directed by Max Reimer
Music Direction by Steve Thomas
Performed by Rebecca Poff and Wade Lynch
Drayton Entertainment Production
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, Waterloo
December 1 – 26, 2021
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes