NEW ORLEANS (February 12, 2015) — The National WWII Museum's live theater venue, the Stage Door Canteen, regularly plays host award-winning shows celebrating the music of the World War II era, but the newest offering takes us into the years following the war and celebrates one of country music's first crossover sensations.
Always . . . Patsy Cline is a musical play, complete with down-home country humor, true emotion. The show includes many of Cline's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, Walkin' After Midnight, and many more.
The show, which runs February 27 – April 5, is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in l961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death. The show takes its title from Cline's letters to Seger, which she signed affectionately "Love Always, Patsy."
In the title role, Margaret Belton reprises the role of Patsy Cline from a recent award-winning appearance at Altarena Playhouse in Alameda, California.
"As long as I can remember, the music from old records was always one of my favorite sounds," said Belton. "Once I discovered Patsy things changed. I just wanted to climb into her voice and live in it. The soul and love that pours from her voice made me feel so alive and I deeply connected with it."
In addition to her many stage and screen credits, Belton also performs regularly as the lead singer of The Patsychords.
The Stage Door Canteen presents a wonderful weekly series of unique entertainment, showcasing the songs, style, stars, and spirit of this incomparable era. Enjoy evening and matinee performances of headliner acts, signature musical productions, big bands, dancing, the Victory Belles vocal trio, and more, plus pre-show dinner, brunch, or lunch by The American Sector restaurant. Tickets and show information available at 504-528-1943 or stagedoorcanteen.org.
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage, and sacrifice of the men and women who served on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter at WWIImuseum or on Facebook.