WEST LONG BRANCH — Before Loretta and Dolly, there was Patsy Cline, whose hits like “Crazy” and “Sweet Dreams” heralded the crossover of country music and pop.
This summer, Shadow Lawn Stage, the professional theater in residence at Monmouth University, will present Ted Swindley’s “Always, Patsy Cline” from July 6-16 at the university’s Lauren K. Woods Theatre, 400 Cedar Ave.
Produced by Joe Rapolla, the show will be presented July 6-9 and July 13-16 at 8 p.m. with Friday matinees at 2 p.m. on July 8 and 15.
Reagan Richards, a renowned singer in her own right, stars as country legend Patsy Cline. Under the music direction of George Wurzbach, Richards will sing many of Cline’s standards, including “I Fall to Pieces,” “Walkin’ After Midnight” and 27 other tunes.
Under the direction of Maurice J. Moran, the role of Louise will be played by Katrina Ferguson. Louise tells her story by conjuring memories of where and when she fell in love with Cline’s music: listening to the radio in her kitchen, meeting her at a local country bar and seeing her live on stage with a band of country musicians.
“This show will offer folks who remember Patsy Cline a chance to hear her music live and virtually in person,” says Moran, “while giving a contemporary audience an idea of what she was like back in the ’60s and why she is such a legend in country music.”
Tickets are $30 for adults; $20 for seniors, employees and alumni; $10 for students; and $5 for Monmouth University students. For tickets, call 732-263-6889 or visit www.monmouth.edu/arts.