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A
Closer Walk with Patsy Cline
Show
Description:
A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline is a theatrical presentation
documenting Patsy’s career from the time that she was 14 years old until
her untimely death at 30 in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. The story
takes place on March 5, 1963 (the date of Patsy’s death) and is told by
a fictitious Radio Disc Jockey, the Little Big Man, played by Dan Embree,
from Patsy’s hometown radio station, WINC in Winchester, VA. The starring
role is played by veteran, Gail Bliss, who is touted by Charlie Dick (Patsy
Cline’s widower) to be “the best he has ever seen”. Charlie and Patsy’s
daughter, Julie, have come to see Gail perform on many occasions and have
given Gail’s production the stamp of approval by the Cline estate.
With 11 period costumes, 4 wigs, and the performance of 20 of Patsy’s
beloved songs, Gail gives the audience a glimpse of Patsy’s personal story
and highlights “The Cline’s” performances in the honky tonk nightclubs,
the Grand Ole Opry, The Mint Casino in Las Vegas, and the infamous Carnegie
Hall. Dan Embree also covers the comedic roles as he brings corn ball
humor to the show as Patsy’s opening act on several occasions. This family
oriented show features a 6 piece band who not only appreciate the uptown
country sounds of the late 50’s and early 60’s, but also pride themselves
on recreating Patsy’s unique sound. “I will hire only the finest and most
committed musicians for this show” says Bliss. The band also takes the
audience down memory lane with their recreation of such radio jingles
as “Mr. Clean” and “Ajax, the Foaming Cleanser.”
How does one compare the “other Patsy show”, Always Patsy Cline,
to the A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline production? “Always” is a
look at a day in the life of Patsy Cline as seen through the eyes
of one of Patsy’s fans, Louise. “A Closer Walk” is a look at Patsy’s entire
career as told by the radio disc jockey in the station where Patsy
first walked in and insisted that she sing on the radio. The disc jockey
tells of Patsy’s rise to fame from humble beginnings and the show progresses
through a series of flashbacks into Patsy’s reality.
Gail has most recently assumed the role of director and co-producer of
this production and would be happy to discuss the particulars of bringing
this show to your venue at any time. Technical specifications, referrals,
royalty and script leasing information is available by contacting Sheer
Bliss Productions.
Songs
performed in the show:
COME ON IN
YOUR CHEATIN HEART
GOTTA LOTTA RHYTHM IN MY SOUL
SEVEN LONELY DAYS
WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT
LIFE’S RAILWAY TO HEAVEN
STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN
FADED LOVE
JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
LOVESICK BLUES
I DON’T WANTA
LEAVIN’ ON YOUR MIND
ALWAYS
SHE’S GOT YOU
BACK IN BABY’S ARMS
OH SUSANNAH
SWEET DREAMS
I FALL TO PIECES
BILL BAILEY, WON’T YOU PLEASE COME HOME
CRAZY
Photos
of the shows Gail has directed and co-produced:
1. Program
page from the 2001 Alhambra Dinner Theatre production, Jacksonville, FL
2. Photos
from Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse production, Rock Island, IL, Summer 2002
3. Photos
from Alabama Theatre production, Myrtle Beach, SC, January 2003
What
the Fans Are Saying:
(as collected from the the Patsy Cline
Fan Forum off the internet)
Being a long time Patsy Cline fan (having grown up in the
50's and 60's listening to her recordings) and being a psuedo expert on
her music I was skeptical when I first heard of Patsy Cline "sound-a-likes".
Yes, I did see the movie and have listened to other vocalists attempts
to be Patsy and always came away shaking my head. I can now tell you without
hesitation, there is ONE vocalist who truly does Patsy justice
and that is Gail Bliss.
Back during the summer of last year I heard about a production
called "A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline" coming to the Alhambra Dinner
Theatre in Jacksonville, Floridia. Being the skeptic I am I reluctantly
purchased a ticket. Boy was I in for a shock! There, on a small stage,
with a four piece band stood Gail Bliss, the epitome of Patsy! Mannerism,
style, dress and then came the voice!! To say that tears swelled up in
my eyes would be the understatement of the year!
Was I skeptical after that? No way.....in fact, when she
did an encore performance this year, I had to once again return to watch
Miss Bliss as Patsy......TWICE!!! In all my 53 years on this Earth I have
NEVER paid to watch a performance of anyone twice much less THREE times!
That's how impressed I was! I cannot say I have seen any of the other
Patsy Cline impressionists/impersonators as mentioned on your website
but I can say, without equivication that if there is such a thing as a
Patsy Cline reincarnate, it's Gail Bliss.
If she is playing in your locale I STRONGLY urge you to
go and see this marvelous performance. You will come away with a lump
in your throat, and tear in your eye and a smile in your heart for you
shall truly believe that Patsy was with us once again. I tip my well faded
hat to Miss Gail Bliss, a performer of star-like quality (who, in her
own right) is a tremendous singer/performer! BRAVA Gail....you have brought
our Patsy back to life! My only regret is that there is no video of Gail
Bliss as Patsy. There should be! Her performance is amazing and I know
THIS Patsy Cline fan would pay any price to have one!
Jim Schroeder jcs@mediaone.net
St Augustine, FL - Thursday, February 08, 2001 at 21:58:43
(MET)
Oct 1996:
On the 12th I got this letter from Pat Spicer (slightly edited):
"You mention Patsy Cline sound alikes. Have none of your
website visitors had the pleasure of attending the Patsy Cline tribute
by Gail Bliss? She has been performing here in Toronto, Canada since June
and I have been to her show twice. She is absolutely great and really
brings Patsy back to life. It is a most amazing show, with song and story
inter-twined. She plays Toronto until sometime in November and I have
no idea where the show goes from there. Any Patsy Cline fan in the southern
Ontario region should not miss this show. I guarentee you'll have goose-bumps
during most of the songs! (Her singing of 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee'
is awesome).
"I've been a fan of Patsy Cline since I was a kid growing
up in Newfoundland, Canada. Actually, I don't know of any Newfies who
do not love Patsy. My favourite song is 'Sweet Dreams' and whenever I
hear it, I feel great. Patsy was and still is the best. I saw Gail Bliss
perform in 'Patsy!' in Toronto a few times and when I closed my eyes I
could see the real Patsy performing. What a thrill and what a treasure
Patsy has given us. The only other person who affects me the same way
is Jim Reeves. I believe there is an album with a collection of their
songs (now I have to go find it since I'm thinking about it). Wish me
luck."
Ken Haire, Jul 11, 2000
Just saw the "Patsy" tribute starring Gail Bliss. Can highly recommend
it to any Patsy fans. Really enjoyed your Website. It is one of the best
I've visited in a long time. Great job!
Victor Brooks vbrooks@interlog.com
Toronto, On Canada
August 2000:
Info from Roberto: "The Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Jacksonville, FL is
opening the "A closer walk with Patsy Cline" a biographical music review,
this Friday at 8:00 pm. The show stars Gail Bliss, who captures the spark,
spice, and passion of Patsy. Her gestures, inflection, and voice are amazing.
We are excited that Patsy's husband Charlie Dick will be attending the
Gala opening. Ms. Bliss and Mr. Dick have been friends for several years,
and Mr. Dick truly feels Gail Bliss does real justice to his wife, and
her legacy."
"Thanks, Roberto!"-Gail
I just saw Gail Bliss perform at The Horsehoe Tavern last night. (Ms.
Bliss performed the title role in the hit musical "Patsy!" here in Toronto
last year, which I saw twice, front row). She performed new songs from
her yet-to-be-released album, but for her encore she did a rendition of
"Crazy" that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. I'm a Gen-Xer and
therefore never got the chance to see Ms. Cline perform, but now I feel
like I have gotten a rough idea what it must have been like. Are there
any visitors to this page who actually saw Ms. Cline perform? Met her?
Called "hoss" by her? Please share your stories with the next generation
of CD-carrying fans!
Cajo MacAvity cjohnson@medialinx.ca
Toronto, ON Canada - Thursday, July 17, 1997 at 19:36:50
(MET DST)
Press
Reviews:
'Patsy!' Celebrates Life Of Country-Music Legend Patsy Cline
University of Iowa News
Columbus AlivewireD - Theatre
Columbus Alive wireD
Ask Jeeves Answer
Moline Dispatch
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