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Amy Bentley-Smith Grunion Gazette Features Editor
Struthers
Crazy For
"Always... Patsy Cline"
Sally Struthers can relate to the woman she portrays in "Always... Patsy Cline," the musical set to open Saturday at the Carpenter Center produced by Musical Theatre West.
"I was avid about Peter Sellers," Struthers said of her equivalent of Patsy Cline to Louise Seger. "He was the sun, the moon, the stars. I had the opportunity to meet him at an art gallery reception. When Louise first meets Patsy she just screams. Me, when I met Peter, I peed my pants. I can understand that out-of-body experience with meeting someone you admire."
"Always... Patsy Cline" is the story of country singer Patsy Cline as told through her music and by Louise Seger, a fan of Patsy's who had a chance meeting with her in Texas and developed a friendship with her that lasted until Patsy's death in 1963. Seger is still alive, but Struthers said she's never contacted her.
"I've never spoken to the real Louise," said the Emmy-winning actress made famous for her role of Gloria Stivic in "All in the Family." "I've made her up in my head. I'm probably nothing like her. I think that if I did talk to her I'd feel responsible (for how she portrays her). I prefer to keep her in my rich fantasy world."
Struthers admits to not being a country music fan, but said that although "Always... Patsy Cline" is about a country singer, it has a wider appeal.
"It's the most delightful, sweet, touching, audience-pleasing show," she said. "It's about friendship, about adoration and it's packed with everything an audience loves: songs people know, eye candy with the band right on stage, and Christa Jackson (Patsy) does a costume parade. And I'm a Tasmanian devil. I flip, I twirl, I laugh and cry."
Struthers has sustained that energy on stage in the role of Louise Seger for the past six years. She first performed in "Always... Patsy Cline" in Florida with her friend Rachel Ricca as Patsy. The two took the show on the road, but Ricca eventually returned to Florida.
"I suggested Christa Jackson to the producers," Struthers said. "She has the right look, she's the right age and she can sing. She blew them away."
Like Ricca, Jackson is Struther's friend. In fact, Jackson and her boyfriend have lived with Struthers and her nephew for the past couple of years. That friendship translates well to the stage.
"The cast is just me and Christa; it's kind of a safety net," Struthers said of otherwise having to deal with different music directors and musicians. "The challenge is not as difficult for me as it is for Christa, who has so many costume changes and has to rely on a good sound system and sound engineer. I speak the whole show, except for a few times that I sing with Christa."
Struthers is familiar with the Carpenter Center, 6200 Atherton St., and Musical Theatre West. She was in the 2002 production of "Mame," as Agnes. The performance won her an L.A. Ovation award.
"The space is so great and the people are so nice," Struthers said. "I'm looking forward to performing there again."
"Always... Patsy Cline" runs April 24 through May 9 with performances Thursday to Sunday. Tickets are from $35 to $47 and are available by calling 856-1999 ext. 4 or at the MTW box office, 4350 E. Seventh St.
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