BY CHARLES McCLURE

Patsy Cline possessed a voice by which all modern country and western singers are judged. To this day, there was only one voice like hers.
But it is her story that is truly compelling and will come to life in the TexARTS production of the American classic, “Always… Patsy Cline,”  which runs Sept. 26-Oct. 12. 
Lakeway native Selena Rosanbalm stars in Ted Swindley’s celebrated musical at the new Kam and James Morris Theater at TexARTS’ new Keller Williams Studios in Lakeway.
The production recounts the friendship that formed between Patsy and one of her greatest fans, Louise Seger – a true Texas housewife whose memory of their meeting and letters exchanged rekindles an era and a voice that changed country music forever.
TexARTS Executive Director and the production’s director Todd Dellinger said Rosanbalm’s performance will dazzle the audience.
“There is an aching, real quality to her voice that is hauntingly reminiscent – nearly dead-on – with the legendary Cline.” Dellinger said. 
Rosanbalm, who grew up in the Lake Travis area, studied vocal performance at Oklahoma City University and has performed in several Austin theater productions, including the role of “Mary Jane Wilkes” in TexARTS’ production of “Big River.” 
The band backing up Rosanbalm is terrific, Dellinger said. 
“George Strait guitarist Rick McRae will play electric and acoustic guitar in the professional, six-piece band, ‘The Bodacious Bobcats Band.’” Dellinger said. “McRae is joined by other Austin professionals Billy Curtis, Herb Steiner, Ed Friedland, Nel Clausnitzer and Dustin Struhall, under the musical direction of Austin’s much-celebrated Lyn Koenning.”
Veteran Austin actress and singer Edie Elkjer stars as Louise Seger, Cline’s real-life pen-pal, whose recollections and letters form the basis of this stage piece.  Elkjer has performed on several stages in Austin, including Arts on Real, in their production of “Sordid Lives” and as a founding member of “Take Five.”
TexARTS produces professional musical theater productions in Austin and now in its new theater within its new 6,000 square-foot studios located just inside Lakeway at RR 620 and Lohman’s Spur. 
TexARTS produced award-winning productions of American classics ranging from “Big River” to “Carousel” at the Paramount Theater in Austin. “Always… Patsy Cline”  initiates TexARTS’ new “Off Broadway Series” within its new 99-seat black box theater.  Other shows at the theatre are also on tap, including Alan Menken’s “A Christmas Carol” in December and “Golf…The Musical!” in April of 2009. 
TexARTS also produces student performances ranging from “Great Shakes” classical teen repertory theater to the new “TexARTS Youth Ballet Theater” production of “Nutcracker” and hosts a multitude of classes for ages three through adult, from acting to ballet to ballroom and visual art at its Lakeway location.  This spring, TexARTS will premiere Broadway writer/composer David Austin’s “On Common Ground” rock musical based on the Little Mermaid tale.
Ticket sales are expected to be brisk, so to make reservations to see “Always… Patsy Cline,”, visit www.Tex-ARTS.org or call TexARTS at 512-852-9079, ext. 102.