It was a pleasantly warm evening for strolling the in­creasingly ambient streets of Conroe that surround the courthouse and the lovely Crighton Theatre.

Art galleries now abound, and one of them, The Linda Watson Gallery (beside the Crighton on Main Street), in­vited theater-goers who passed by to enjoy a bit of wine and cheese and have a look at the exquisite acrylic paintings on display from artist, David M. Bridges. If you are passing by on your way to the show, stop in for a visit and don't miss the remarkable "Many Faces" painting of an Ameri­can Indian. But let us move on now to the main event: The Stage Right production of Ted Swindley's "Always ... Patsy Cline."

This show will cheer you, warm your heart and offer a bonanza of tunes that will stay with you long after the curtain falls. It's a couple of days now since I enjoyed a SR perfor­mance on the opening week­end, and I can't seem to get the lovely song "Back in Baby's Arms," out of my head.

Based on a true story, this lovely edition of the long run­ning hit is smoothly directed by Jim Bingham and stars Mary Allen-Keating as Patsy,

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Series. can Jim Bingham at the Crighton Box Office 936-441-SHOW ext. 201 and or­der your tickets now as they are selling fast. Both season tickets for the remaining three shows as well as tickets to individual concerts are on sale.

On April 5, Sharity Pro­ductions (Gene and Betty W ol£) are bringing country star Lorne Morgan. Lorrie, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, still looks and sings as great as ever. Her late hus­band Keith Whitley was my favorite and I felt he was go-

with fun filled assistance from Carolyn Corsano Wong as Patsy's Houston area friend and correspondent, Louise Seger. They shared letters for a long time, and those letters and that friendship became the basis for this darling show.

Crighton's master carpen­ter, Wade Gonsoulin, has pro­vided a fine all-in-one set de­picting a barn-red Grand Ole Oprycenter stage, offset by the bar of the Esquire Ballroom to the right, the kitchen in Louise's home at left, and the microphone setup for Miss Patsy front and center. The fine, six-piece country-swing Bobcats Band (the musicians all share the name Bob) is on­stage throughout the perfor­mance and adds immeasur­ably to the success of the show.

Patsy opens with a bright and breezy "Honky Tonk Merry Go Round," and fol­lows with the "Back in Baby's Arms" that haunts me still. She's dressed in a pretty red western cowgirl outfit that could have been stolen from Dale Evans (Head Costumer, Kathleen Zaritski), and Louise was equally in step with black leather western wear with crimson fringed highlights.

With the song, "Anytime,"

ing to be the savior of real country music. But like Fred Eaglesmith says, "Fame won't make you happy it just pays the bills. He died of al­cohol and pills." Tickets are on sale now so call the Crighton Box Office at 936-441-SHOW X 201 and order yours now.

Well it's spring time a coming which means the City of Conroe's First Thurs­day Free Concerts will kick off on April 7. The opening show features two nationally known performers who will set the popular series on the right tract. Bonnie Bishop whose step dad is former Ag­gie football coach Jackie

DAVIDDOW BENTlEYll1

liThe People's Critic"

there is a flashback to Patsy's radio days (don't miss her hi­larious impression of Arthur Godfrey), and then suddenly she appears in a shimmering charcoal gray dress for a lush and sassy, "Walkin' After Midnight." Just as suddenly she is back on stage in chic black slacks and blue sweater for a vibrant, "I Fall to Pieces." When she first meets Louise out at the old Houston area Es­quire Ballroom she is dressed in an elegant pink silk suit with sparkling earrings, and begins that performance with an es­pecially rich, "Honky Tonk Angel."

Punctuating the various scenes is a sometimes humor­ous, sometimes poignant nar­rative of memories from Louise herself, and Ms. Cor­sano Wong brings plenty of laughs to that effort with the comic flair for which she is well known at Crighton.

Sherrill grew up in Houston, graduated from V.T., was a big part of the Austin music scene, then about five years ago moved to Nashville.

This attractive young singer/songwriter is a gifted writer, plays guitar and pi­ano and sings like Bonnie Raitt. This young lady will blow you away with her tal­ent and is a fitting opener for Tupelo, Miss. native Paul Thorn.

Thorn who was once a professional boxer who was ranked and fought I Roberto Duran on national TV is one of this country's premier singer/songwriters and per~ formers. He is a favorite of

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There followed a hand-clappin', "Come on In," before the next costume change brought Patsy out in a glitter­ing gold dress for a soaring rendition of, "You're Cheatin' Heart." Then a sassy delivery of "Stupid Cupid" pleasantly reminded me of a special night back in the 1960s when Ifound myself in an orchestra seat next to Connie Francis for the .Opening Night of "Judy Gar-land at the Palace," in New York.

As Act One wound down, there was a wann, embracing, "You Belong to Me," and a vi­brant, "San Antonio Rose," that had Louise out in the au­dience to dance a few of the gents up the aisle. During Pat­sy,s perky "Lovesick Blues," Louise showed her skill at dancing TheTwist before the audience was excused for In­termission.

Act Two begins with a very sweet "Sweet Dreams," and moves quickly to songs of heartache that include, "She's Got You," "Crazy," "Seven Lonely Days," and "Three ­Cigarettes in an Ashtray." (In defense of cigarettes one of the gals quips, "It's the tar in these things that's holding my lungs together.") There is a tender lullaby of, "If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a

Courtesy photo

Mary Allen Keating stars as Patsy Cline in "Always ... Patsy Cline" now on stage at the Crighton Theatre courtesy of Stage Right Productions.

Child)," and a prayerful and touching, "Just a Closer Walk."

There was plenty of pizzazz in the cute duet of "Blue Moon of Kentucky," followed by, "Gotta Lotta Rhythm in My Sou!," and a rambunctious "Shake, Rattle and Roll," that may have had a few too many antics accompanying the number.

Things calm down nicely for a mellow and thoughtful, "Faded Love," the hymn, "How Great Thou Art," a per­fect closer with, "True Love," and an upbeat encore of, "Bill

Guy Clark, Delbert McClin- ceeds go to our youth in the ton, Kris Kristofferson, Ray form of college scholarships. Wylie Hubbard, Paul Mc- Mark your calendar as this is Cartney, Sting and many the biggest show event every other well known musidans. year in Montgomery Coun­This show will pack the hill ty. and may just be the best first- Music this weekend begins Thursday Free Concert ever tonight at the Corner Pub held by the city. Get there hosting Double Or Nothing early (show starts at 6 p.m.) and Saturday having Ezra and get a good seat. Charles and the Texas Blues

Well on April 8, the Mont- Band. gomery County Fair kicks Tuts will have Mason Lan­off with the Rodeo on the ford and the Folk Family Re­first weekend and the Barbe- vival take the stage oli Satur­cue Cook-off will be the sec- day. Next weekend Tuts will ond weekend. There will be a host American Swindle on great carnival, great rodeo, March 5 and the Eric Bren­plenty of great live music dan Band on the March 12. and some really good food. Dosey Doe has a great Best of all, all the riet pro- lineup of music beginning

Courtesy photo

Carolyn Wong Corsano stars as Louise Seger in "Always ... Patsy Cline."

-Bailey." In years gone by I had seen this delightful show in both New York and Houston, but I have to say that on this oc­casion it was very nice to be, "Back in Baby's Arms."

The show continues at the Crighton Theatre through March 6. Visit www.stage­right.org for more information.

Bentley's columns may be viewed online at the website: .www.ThePeoplesCritic.com. E­mail may be directed to TheP­eoplesCritic@earthlink.net.

with Carolyn Wonderland with Kathryn Hallberg open­ing tonight and performing Saturday night will be John Conlee.

Then on March 4, Hayes Carll with Shovel and Ropes opening will take the stage followed by Walt Wilkins and Tina Wilkins in a rare appearance together on March 5. March 6 Dosey Doe will present Susan Gib­son celebrating her new CD release "Tight Rope."

Davin James will host Deryl Dodd at Puffabelly's on March 2. So much to choose from, so go out and pick your favorites and have fun but be safe!