Always Patsy Cline

Sept. 13, 2009

She’s Walkin’ After Midnight: Joanie Stanley is
Always... Patsy Cline

By Kristi Kates 9/14/09

Patsy Cline is a country-pop singer from the early 1960s who became one of America’s most influential vocalists, famed for such songs as “She’s Got You,” “Walking After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” and, of course, Cline’s most-beloved hit, “Crazy.”
Joanie Stanley is an actress and singer of today who owns the Skinny Dudez Kitchen Boutique in Acme, Michigan, and who won the lead role as Patsy Cline in Always... Patsy Cline, the musical play that is kicking off the 50th Anniversary of Traverse City’s Old Town Playhouse.
So how did Stanley and Cline’s paths cross? Well, for Stanley, it all began in her childhood.

EULALIE TO PATSY
“I began singing and acting when I was in grade school,” Stanley explains, “I fell in love with the idea of being able to portay someone else in a story - and the first time I heard the applause, that was it; I was hooked, and I continued singing and acting throughout high school and college.”
Stanley, who has portrayed, among others, Eulalie in The Music Man, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, also studed voice under the direction of professor William Biedler while at college at Grand Valley, a move that probably helped refine her vocal talents and may have assisted her in winning the part.
“I hadn’t heard about the auditions until my friend Rich Kay stopped into my store,” Stanley says. “Myself and five others were chosen from the initial entries to participate in an open audition process at the Old Town Playhouse.”
The six-week casting call that led to the five finalists showcased Stanley and four others singing in front of a sold-out crowd (the community was invited to watch the auditions), as well as the play’s director, Jeanette Mason, and a panel of local musician celebs, among them Judy Harrison, Larry Avery, and Don Julin.
“The panel listened to our first song choice, narrowed it down to three people, and then all three of us chose to sing ‘Crazy,’” Stanley says with enthusiasm, “and I was given the part.”
Cadillac actress Sally Goggin, a veteran performer on the OTP stage, was also cast as Louise, the longtime pen-pal and friend of Patsy Cline.

DUAL TALENTS
“This is a two-person play, just Louise and Patsy,” Stanley explains, “ I will also be performing over two dozen Patsy Cline songs during the play, and will be backed up by a band consisting of very talented local musicians and a group of back-up singers.”
Those local musicians are set to include the aforementioned Julin as Musical Director and Bandleader - Julin will be joined by Kevin Gills on bass, Dave Collini on drums, Joe Wilson on steel guitar, guitarist Angelo Meli (Jazz North/The Corvairs) and renowned jazz pianist Steve Stargardt.
Stanley is looking forward to both the acting and the musical elements of the show, although she had a little to learn about Cline’s work first.
“I didn’t know much about Patsy Cline, other than I recalled hearing her song ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’ played on the radio when I was growing up; and of course, every singer has performed ‘Crazy’ at one time or another,” Stanley says. “But when I got ahold of her music library and started listening to the songs, I knew right away that I could play the part, as my vocal range is very similar to hers.”
As far as the acting part, Stanley will have to draw on a wide range of emotions to portray the complex Cline.
“The play is the true story of how a gal by the name of Louise Seger, who was a Patsy fan, happened to start talking with Patsy when she went to see her perform and they fast became the best of friends,” Stanley explains. “They kept in touch via letters and phone calls over their four-year friendship before Patsy was tragically killed in a plane crash.”
But she’s up to the task of honoring the legendary Cline with her performance, and she also hopes the experience will help to advance her acting career - even if she has to become a temporary insomniac to achieve it all.
“I plan to sleep a lot when this is over,” Stanley laughs, “it takes a lot to run a business and attend all of the rehearsals at night and on weekends. But I would be a liar if I said I didn’t have any aspirations to greater things in the theater or music world.”

Always... Patsy Cline opened on September 11 (Friday) at the Old Town Playhouse, on the corner of 8th and Cass in Traverse City. The play will run through October 3; for detailed days/times and ticket information, visit www.oldtownplayhouse.com. or call 231-947-2210.