THEATRE BY THE SEA OPENS 2025 SEASON WITH ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE
WAKEFIELD, RI – In celebration of 92 Years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to announce the opening of the 2025 Summer Season.
The season begins with Always…Patsy Cline a tribute to the woman who epitomized country music in the late 50s and early 60s. This intimate look at the woman behind the legend will be presented from May 28 – June 21, 2025.
“Always…Patsy Cline has not been presented at Theatre By The Sea for over twenty years. In fact, it was the very last musical that FourQuest Entertainment produced during their final season in 2003,” said Bill Hanney. “I’ve always been a big fan of Patsy Cline’s iconic music. Although she left us at the young age of 30, she inspired numerous singers and was the first solo female artist elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the season than with the celebration of the life of an American icon.”
Always…Patsy Cline is a heartfelt and entertaining musical that celebrates the life and music of the legendary country singer Patsy Cline. Based on a true story, this touching production centers around the unique friendship between Patsy Cline and her devoted fan, Louise Seger, who fell in love with Patsy’s voice after seeing her perform on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts in 1957. She followed Patsy Cline’s career via radio and television and finally met the singer at a concert in Houston in 1961. Featuring over 20 of Patsy Cline’s greatest hits, including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Walkin’ After Midnight,” the show is a joyous journey through her timeless music. With its blend of humor, emotion, and unforgettable melodies, Always…Patsy Cline offers a poignant glimpse into the singer’s life and the bond she shared with her fans, making it a must-see for music lovers of all ages. Created and originally directed by Ted Swindley, Always…Patsy Cline is presented by arrangement with APC, Inc. www.alwayspatsycline.com.
Directed and staged by Kat Moser, who audiences may remember from her appearances in Theatre By The Sea productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, with musical direction by Jacob Priddy, who music directed TBTS productions of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Cinderella, Newsies, and Saturday Night Fever, the cast includes Meagan Lewis-Michelson and Mary Callanan, who are both making their Theatre By The Sea debuts. Ms. Lewis-Michaelson couldn’t be happier to don Patsy’s iconic cowboy boots once again! In addition to portraying Patsy Cline, other favorite roles include Paulette in Legally Blonde, Miss Hannigan in Annie, and Rosie in Mamma Mia! Ms. Callanan has appeared on Broadway in Bandstand (OBC), Mamma Mia! (Rosie – Final Company), and Annie. She has also been seen on National Tours of My Fair Lady, Bridges of Madison County, Mamma Mia!, Sound of Music, big, and Damn Yankees. The cast also includes Cumberland, RI native Alison Novelli who has appeared in Little Women, WikiMusical, Eli, The Luthier, Measure for Measure, and Hamlet, and director Kat Moser who are understudying the roles of Patsy Cline and Louise Seger respectively.
The creative team includes resident scenic designer Cassie McKnight, lighting designer Paul Jonathan Davis, costumes by Maine State Costume Rentals, Meagan Lewis-Michelson’s costumes designed by Richard St. Clair, sound designer Ben Scheff, and wig design by Jennifer Douglas, along with Ingrid Pierson (Production Stage Manager) and Delayna Wahlberg (Assistant Stage Manager). Always…Patsy Cline is being produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Thom Warren (Associate Producer).
Always…Patsy Cline will be presented from May 28–June 21, with preview performances on May 28 and 29 and opening night scheduled for May 30. Performances are scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:00 pm, and Sundays at 5:00 pm, with special performance times on Sunday, June 1 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm and a special added Wednesday matinee on June 18. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets for preview performances, Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29 are $62, and $65 – $91 for all other performances (additional fees may apply). Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and performance days from 11:00 am until curtain, (performance Sundays 12 noon until curtain), online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).
Located on Rhode Island’s South Shore, Theatre By The Sea celebrates 92 years of summer theatre at its best!
Theatre By The Sea has had many incarnations since opening on August 7, 1933. Tommy Brent saved the theatre from demolition in 1967 and ran it successfully until FourQuest Entertainment took over the lease in 1988. Following extensive renovations, FourQuest reopened the theatre in the spring of 1989 and continued producing high quality entertainment at the seaside playhouse until the fall of 2003. Bill Hanney purchased the property in 2007 and, with producing partners, successfully mounted a production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, just six weeks later, reopening the historic theatre on August 8, 2007. Since then, Theatre By The Sea has continued to produce a four-musical subscription season, a late-night cabaret series, a children’s theatre festival, a children’s summer theatre camp, and a Monday evening concert series.
AT A GLANCE
PRODUCT Always…Patsy Cline
DATES: May 28 – June 21
WHERE: Theatre By The Sea
364 Card’s Pond Road
Wakefield, RI
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00 pm (preview)
Thursday, May 29 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm (previews)
Friday, May 30 at 8:00 pm (opening)
Saturday, May 31 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 1 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Tuesday, June 3 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 4 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 5 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 6 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 8 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, June 10 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 11 at 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 12 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 13 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 15 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, June 17 at 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 18 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Thursday, June 19 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, June 20 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
TICKET PRICES: Previews – $62 (additional fees may apply)
All other performances – $65, $79, $91 (additional fees may apply)
Group Discounts Available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112
TICKETS: www.theatrebythesea.com
(401) 782-TKTS (8587)