A new actress steps in as Patsy Cline

It was just three weeks ago that actress Heather Beck was offered an Indiana homecoming to bring her popular portrayal of country western music legend Patsy Cline to Northwest Indiana.

"Sometimes, things just work out and fate has a funny way of finding you when you might least expect it," Beck said last week, after arriving in Munster to begin rehearsals as the title star of "Always ... Patsy Cline" opening next week at Theatre at the Center.

"I already know all of the Patsy Cline songs and her persona, so that's a big step in the right direction."

When picking a production to launch the 2012 stage season at Theatre at the Center, artistic director William Pullinsi and general manager Richard Friedman pegged "Always ... Patsy Cline" as the perfect production to ease audiences into the new year and fresh season.

But what the duo hadn't expected was the need for a last minute casting switch for their lead actress singer.

It was originally to star Chicago native and Jeff nominee Michelle Duffy, who has starred in "Desperate Housewives," "House" and "Las Vegas."

However, earlier this month, despite all of the earlier promotions and star billing, Duffy dropped out of the production after she was cast on Broadway in the new musical "Leap of Faith," based on the 1992 film that starred Steve Martin.

"It's a great opportunity for Michelle, but it meant we had to work fast to find someone just as great to be our new Patsy and it had to happen immediately," Friedman said.

Fortunately, Beck, who originally hails from Kendallville, Ind., seemed like an ideal fit.

Beck, who was already playing Patsy Cline in another musical stage tribute called "A Closer Walk," was booked with her production at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster, Pa., until Feb. 4.

"The producers in Munster contacted me and asked if I had another commitment after my Lancaster show was closing and as it turned out, I didn't have anything lined up yet," Beck said.

"They had me do a virtual audition by sending them uploaded email performance segments of me as Patsy singing 'Crazy' and "Walking After Midnight.' They liked what they saw and heard and I was hired."

It's been nearly a decade since the tribute story of country western music icon Patsy Cline entertained audiences on the Northwest Indiana stage at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

And Beck is in good hands for guidance to quickly learn "Always ... Patsy Cline" since Friedman also has the distinction of someone who is especially familiar with the draw of this real-life tale of Cline and her connection with one of her most adoring fans.

"Besides a story that's both engaging and entertaining, there's also the bonus of audiences enjoying 25 of Patsy Cline's biggest hits performed live," Friedman says.

"This is a musical that fans enjoy as a chance to remember all the great career moments, while it also provides the opportunity for new generations to be introduced to Cline's talent."

Always ... Patsy Cline, directed by Brian Russell, is at Theatre at the Center until April 1. It was last performed there in 2003.

For Friedman, this latest run is like spending time with an old friend, in addition to working with new friend and promising talent Beck.

Prior to accepting his position at Theatre at the Center last year, Friedman was managing director of Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Ill., for nine years, where Always ... Patsy Cline played in 1996 prior to Friedman staging it again in 1997 and part of 1998 at the Apollo Theater in Chicago, where it ran for more than a year heralded with critical success.

It offers a glimpse into the life of the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show, which was written and originally directed by Ted Swindley, is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.

The production includes such unforgettable hits as "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces," "Sweet Dreams" and "Walking After Midnight." Friedman says the theater's musical director Bill Underwood and his musicians will appear on stage as part of the musical's set during each performance.

The musical's name was inspired by Cline's letters to Seger, which were consistently signed "Love Always ... Patsy Cline."

"We had such a long run of this show when I did it years ago, we actually had three different actresses playing Patsy Cline," Friedman said.

"And ironically, one Patsy Cline was actress Hollis Resnik, whom we just had here at Theatre at the Center in December to star in our holiday show 'Another Night Before Christmas.'"

Adding to Beck's burst of confidence are the kind compliments and glowing reviews she received during her long run of "A Closer Walk," not only from critics, but also friends and relatives of the late legend Cline.

"Just like 'Always ... Patsy Cline,' the show 'A Closer Walk' is also a two-person cast," Beck said.

"I had several of Patsy's relatives, including many of her cousins and friends, come and see me perform as Patsy and praise what they saw and heard. It makes me very proud."