Words by Jim Kocher

What do you get when you put two highly accomplished and professional actresses on the same stage? If rumors are to be believed, you could expect the claws to be bared, the fur to fly, and the diva attitudes to be unleashed.

Not so with actresses Nancy O’Bryan and Dianne Kocher, who will appear together in ‘Always…Patsy Cline’ at Playhouse Merced.

O’Bryan plays Patsy Cline, the legendary country singer who rocketed to stardom only to be cut down tragically in 1963 in a plane crash at age 30.

Kocher plays Louis Seger, a fan turned friend of Patsy Cline, a fictional character based on several real life people who befriended Cline during her short career.

Although O’Bryan and Kocher have worked onstage together in past Playhouse Merced productions (“Annie Get Your Gun,” “The Honky Tonk Angels,” “Children of Eden”’), this is the first show that features just the two of them, acting and singing on stage.

I caught up with the two talented singers, actors, performers to talk about bringing ‘Always…Patsy Cline’ to the Playhouse Merced stage.

Nancy O’Bryan questions

Jim Kocher: Sometimes when we think of two lead actresses getting on stage together, we automatically think of a clash of two personalities – like Krystle and Alexis on ‘Dynasty’ or maybe Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston sharing a concert stage. Any diva stuff going on here?

Nancy O’Bryan: (laughs) No not at all actually. Not so far, anyway. (laughs) With this show, we’re doing completely different things. I’m singing and she’s talking. So we support each other. I don’t envy Dianne with all that dialogue either. She has like 25 monologues. Better her than me! (laughs)

The D: When did you first play Patsy Cline?

NO: Here at Playhouse Merced in June 2003. I remember the date so well because not only was it my first time playing Patsy, it was also when I first met my fiancé Joel Shade and we fell in love. (Shade is musical director and plays piano in “Always…Patsy Cline”)

The D: Do you consider yourself a fan of Patsy Cline and country music?

NO: With Patsy, I knew of her classic songs, but didn’t really listen to her music or even country music that much. And I had never sung her music, mostly because I didn’t think I had the right voice for it. I’ve become more of a fan having played her and listened to her music more.

The D: When you’re playing a famous person, do you feel pressured to do an imitation of her?

NO: Patsy Cline is such an icon, and so I want to stay as true as possible to her. When people compare me to Patsy Cline I guess I feel a little pressure. (laughs) And although my voice may not be exactly like Patsy Cline, she had a special quality to her voice and a special sensibility to her performance, and I strive to bring that to the stage when I play her.

The D: This is your fifth time playing Patsy Cline. How do you keep it fresh?

NO: I’m not sure. Part of it is the music. Patsy’s songs are so powerful. And to get to play with a live band every night -- It’s like doing a concert more than a regular musical show. Plus, being that close the audience, I get to see their reactions too.

The D: According to Rob Hypes (Playhouse Merced Artistic Director), the Patsy Cline shows are the most popular shows Playhouse Merced has done. How do you account for that?

NO: That is crazy! It’s got to be Patsy Cline. I mean, I’d like to say it’s me (laughs), but Patsy’s music is so timeless. I remember at Playhouse, a 7 year old girl who came to see the show several times with her mom. I was amazed that this little girl was the one who wanted to see the show and hear the music.

The D: What is it about Patsy Cline that makes her so fascinating?

NO: She did so much in just 6 years. And to think she was only 30 years old when she died. Her music and her approach to it touched a lot of people then, and now.

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