Silverton’s Struthers-Ricca combination always a good show

Joe Delaney

Friday, July 21, 2000 | 8:53 a.m.

Sally Struthers and Rachel Ricca in "Always ... Patsy Cline" make the country superstar come alive in a warm, moving, occasionally very funny depiction of an actual series of events in a brilliant production at the Silverton hotel-casino, formerly Boomtown.

Backed with near-perfection by the Bodacious Bobcats Band, Ricca delivers 22 songs, most of which were hits for Cline, plus a few others from that period (1957 until her death in a plane crash in 1963).

Struthers was impressive in the 20th anniversary road tour of "Annie" and, later, as Miss Lynch in the Tommy Tune revival production of "Grease," which played here at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts. To most of us, she will always be Gloria Stivic, "Meathead's" wife, in the classic TV series, "All In The Family." She proves here she is first-rate comedic actress.

As Louise Seger, a divorced mother of two from Houston and a devout Patsy Cline fan, Struthers hits home throughout in an over-the-top performance that sets up the simple-farm-girl-with-the-big-voice persona of Cline, as sung and portrayed by Ricca. Unrecognizable in a huge wig and country get-up, Struthers is a hoot. She and Ricca, plus the band, make the true story come off real, involving the entire audience.

Seger is an avid listener to country music on a local Houston station. Cline is booked to play a ballroom in Houston and Seger talks her boss and her boyfriend into going to the show. She meets Cline. Their friendship is immediate and Cline goes home with her for breakfast, and an unexpected radio interview before flying to Dallas.

The two corresponded frequently, and the letters serve as transition pieces until Seger learns of the fatal air crash. This moment is handled extremely well. In fact the entire play with music is beautifully written, directed, and performed. The introductions plus three songs conclude the show.

Most of the Cline hits are included in the 22 songs, including "Walking After Midnight," "I Fall To Pieces," and "Crazy." Hank Williams' first smash, "Love Sick Blues," was an up-tempo high spot along with a Ricca-Struthers duet and sing-along with the audience on "Come on In (And Sit Right Down)."

If you enjoy good music, wonderful performances and a well-crafted show, it's well worth the drive to Blue Diamond Road and the Silverton for Sally Struthers, Rachel Ricca and the Bodacious Bobcats Band. Call first and reserve your seats.