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The Longmont Observer was kindly invited to a sneak peek at the first show of the Longmont Theatre Companies 60th season, “Today, Tomorrow, & Future – A Celebration of Patsy Cline” starring and directed by Melissa Swift-Sawyer. The curtains go up tonight so what can you expect from the performance?
Just being able to experience the show in the iconic building on Main Street, with its evocative Art-Deco architecture, is reason enough for an evenings entertainment, but Melissa Swift-Sawyer also delivers a performance you really don't want to miss.
Straddling the line between a music concert and a play, the audience is treated to a journey through the life of Country singer Patsy Cline with Melissa Swift-Sawyer as the talented guide. Snippets of information about Patsy's life are dotted between breath-taking performances of many of her popular hits. A live band adds to the atmosphere along side a set carefully decorated with memorabilia and props. From the first few notes of Melissa's opening number it's clear she has a stunning voice perfectly suited to portraying Patsy Cline and despite the fact she has done so nearly 3,000 times, Melissa's love for the songs and the music shine through in her performance.
The show is an equal treat for die-hard Patsy fans or those who know very little about the singer and her life. As if an evening of 26 well-performed songs and a signature cocktail during the interval wasn't enough, there is also the added surprise that the band's pedal steel guitar player happens to be Johnny Colmus, who actually played in the original band that accompanied Patsy Cline herself.
Faye Lamb, President of the Longmont Theatre Company expressed the organizations joy at having the show to kick off their 60th season.
"We're grateful to have Melissa Swift-Sawyer Performing here. She's done this part 2,500 to 3,000 times. She's an immensely talented performer, musician, and music director. She and her husband did Spamalot, our last season's show, and that's how I met them. One thing lead to another and we can't have Patsy Cline in our midst and not do the show, so that's how it came about."
“Today, Tomorrow, & Future” will only be around for 6 performances in Longmont on August 18, 19, 25, 26 at 7:30 pm, and August 20 & 27 at 2:00 pm so don't miss out. Tickets are available at longmonttheatre.org or by calling 303-772-5200. Tickets are $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and youths.
