Jordanaire
(Kris Acklen)
"Better known as a songwriter and musician, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline will be Kris Acklen's first theatrical endeavor. Kris jumped at the chance to be a Jordanaire, since he was looking for something to challenge him in new ways and keep him on his toes vocally. Kris is very excited to be in this Playhouse 51 cast and is enjoying this new experience! Kris Acklen has an album scheduled to be released on iTunes in the Summer of 2011. Become a fan here: http://www.facebook.com/krisacklen"
Jordanaire
(Steve Childress)
Born and raised in Millington TN. Steve Childress has experienced his share of the arts. His earliest memories of performing were wearing paper mache angel wings in the First Baptist Church Millington, Christmas programs, the church he has attended all his life. Steve, a graduate of Millington Central high school, performed in multiple school drama performances such as Pippin and even help co-write the musical Remembering the 50’s & 60’s. Steve received scholarships to the University of Memphis in Vocal Performance where he participated in operas such as The Magic Flute and Carman. While attending the University of Memphis he also had the opportunity to perform with the Memphis Symphony Chorus and Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Since college Steve has remained very active in the music ministry at First Baptist Church Millington in all of their Christmas and Easter musicals as well as the various weekly worship services.
Steve and his beautiful wife Shannon have been married now for nine years and have two precious children Emmerson and Cole. Steve is bank Manager/Officer for Trustmark Bank in Memphis and serves on various civic committees and boards throughout West Tennessee. He is very grateful for this opportunity and gives all the glory to God for everything He has provided for him.
Jim Cacy
(Vegas Comic)
Jim recently renewed his job of being involved with theater with participation in productions at the Ruffin Theater in Covington, TN. He played John Curtis in Christmas Belles (2009), directed The Bible in 30 Minutes or Less (2010), played the King in Snow White and the Seven Robbers (2010), and played Dad #2 in Having Your Cake (2010). This past Christmas he produced It's A Wonderful Life.
Tim Eddy
(Opry Comic /
Carnegie Hall Comic)
Tim Eddy, originally from Manchester, TN, now resides in Brighton TN. As an actor he was cast in the feature film When I Find the Ocean. He also acted in several plays including: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Catch Me If You Can, and Rebel Without A Cause. He would like to thank director Jane Lester and also Cary Vaughn for the opportunity to perform in Playhouse 51’s production of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.
Barry Martin
(Jordanaire)
Barry has participated in just about everything involved in putting on a show at Playhouse 51 since its beginning. He is also webmaster for the group's website (playhouse51.com) and is currently the Administrative Director Elect on the Board of Directors. Barry's performances include Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple: Female Version, It’s a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play, Opal’s Million Dollar Duck, Rumors, Harvey, You Can't Take It With You and The Trial Of Ebenezer Scrooge. He is happy to have a role in Playhouse 51's first musical. He is proud of the way Playhouse 51 has grown and happy to have been part of that achievement. Barry lives in Atoka with his wife Cindy, his daughter Bonnie and their two dogs, Ricky and Stinker.
Michael Moore
(Jordanaire)
As a kid I was always captivated by "The Big Stage." I was often found imitating or filming myself reenacting my favorite scenes from a variety of movies. Hearing stories of when my uncle was in theatre, I have always wanted to perform but my courage to audition for a play never came about until recently. Seeing shows such as Jersey Boys, Fiddler On The Roof, White Christmas, and Lion King my interest blossomed. I thought to myself how exciting and fun it would be to be in a play like that. With the encouragement from my Friends, Family, and Fiancé I took the leap of faith and auditioned for the Patsy Cline musical. I hope you will all "Come on in and sit right down" and enjoy the performance.
Greg Parchman
(Lightin' Chance - Bass Guitar)
Greg Parchman is a native Memphian and graduate of Ridgeway High School. He began playing piano at the early age of 7 and by 14 years of age, began playing bass and also guitar. Greg is also an accomplished vocalist and served as Minister of Music for Hickory Ridge Baptist Church of Memphis where he led in worship, and directed children, youth, and adult choirs. He served as guitar instructor in the Bellevue School of Performing Arts and is currently the principle Bassist for the Sanctuary Orchestra and Rhythm Section of Bellevue Baptist Church of Cordova, Tennessee.
Greg is the father of 2 children and has 1 grandson.
Alan Pittman
(Little Big Man)
A native Memphian, Alan began acting four years ago in Bellevue Baptist Church’s Passion Play. He appeared in the 2009 Singing Christmas Tree, 2010’s Camp Outrageous, and most recently as the Apostle Peter in Bellevue’s Prodigal. Alan has also appeared in several Ashley Furniture radio campaign’s doing voice over’s. A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline is his debut into Community Theater.
Alan and his wife Jennifer have been married for twelve years and have two wonderful children A.J and Landon. Together, Alan and Jennifer lead a Young Married Life Group at Bellevue. He is very appreciative for this opportunity to perform in Playhouse 51’s first full musical production.
Curt Sines
(Willie Ackerman-Drums)
Curt began playing drums at the age of eleven. He studied privately during his middle and high school years while performing in concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching bands and multiple solo and ensemble competitions. After entering the U.S. Navy in 1984 and serving 4 years in the aviation community, Curt auditioned for the U.S Navy Band and subsequently attended and graduated with honors from the Armed Forces School of Music, Little Creek, VA. Following his graduation, he was hand selected for The United States Navy Show Band where he toured South America and over 15 countries in West Africa for two consecutive years. Returning to the Armed Forces School of Music in 1992, he studied and trained as a section leader, conductor, and arranger. Upon graduation and for over the next 13 years, Curt toured the globe with the United States Navy Band as a drum set instrumentalist and vocalist performing in show bands, rock bands, big bands, marching bands, wind ensembles and various jazz ensembles for dignitaries and the general public alike.
Throughout his musical career, Curt has recorded and/or performed with a variety of artists to include Phil Driscoll, Sandi Patti, Shirley King (B.B. King), Bob Jones and Hard Drive, The Journeymen, Charles Billingsley and countless others. He currently serves as drum set instrumentalist for Bellevue Baptist Church’s Sanctuary Orchestra and praise team, Percussion Director for the School of Performing Arts, and is a freelance percussionist/ drummer in the Memphis area. He and his wife, Laurie, have enjoyed fifteen years of marriage and have four children: Emily, Allison, Coleman and Carter.
Scott Sturtevant
("Pigg" Robbins - Piano)
Scott Sturtevant is a pianist, composer, arranger and orchestrator. He was born in California but has lived in Memphis since age four. He began studying piano at age nine, continuing lessons through his high school and college years, during which he began accompanying for various soloists and groups and honed his skills in this area. Shortly after graduating from Pensacola Christian College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance, Scott began serving as Music Assistant and second pianist for Bellevue Baptist Church where he composed and arranged music for the church's seasonal productions in addition to directing various choral groups.
In 2002, Scott moved on to a career as a freelance musician, composer, and arranger. His projects have included producing recordings, accompanying various soloists and vocal groups in the Memphis area, providing musical direction for various school productions and sequencing custom accompaniment tracks. In 2005, a book of Scott's sacred piano solo arrangements was published by Lillenas Publishing Company. He is the staff accompanist and arranger for eStudio in Cordova and also serves as church pianist for Eudora Baptist Church.
Scott and his wife, Karen, have been married since 1995 and live in Memphis.
Josh Threlkeld
(Spider Wilson - Guitar)
Josh Threlkeld is a singer-songwriter with true delta soul and a timeless, pure style. He is also a guitar instructor and session player who has started guitar programs at 4 different Performing Arts Centers around the Memphis area and is teaching this summer at his studio in Germantown. This is the same studio where he is finishing his second CD (to be released late this Summer)... He basically lives at the studio.
Check out his first CD ("For Starters") and show calendar at joshtunes.com
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Lalania StarVaughn
(Patsy Cline/
Musical Director)
Lalania is the Director of Choral and Theatrical Performing Arts at Tipton-Rosemark Academy in Millington, Tn., where she began her tenure in 1999. When not teaching, Lalania travels as a Worship Leader and Christian Vocalist for Women's Conferences throughout the US and abroad. Her mission and music ministries have taken her to the countries of Costa Rica, Uruguay, India and the Holy Land. Lalania and her family are active members of Bellevue Baptist Church, where she involved as a Sanctuary Choir and Praise Team member, Production Soloist and Bible Fellowship Teacher with her husband Cary Vaughn
Lalania has 3 CD’s: “There is Joy”- her solo debut, “America’s Top 30 Worship”- recorded with Top Worship leaders across the U.S., and “A Country Christmas” recorded for Dr. David Jeremiah’s church in California.
A native of Georgia, Lalania took fourteen years of dance and piano and began working with the Nationally-renowned Springer Opera House Theatre in Columbus, Ga. at the age of 10, where she carried leads in many musical productions and appeared in many local and national t.v. commercials. She auditioned for the movie “Annie” at the age of 11 and was one of the top 15 finalists in the nation-wide search for the title role of “Annie”. When she moved to Tennessee in 1986, she continued performing with the Jackson Theatre Guild in Jackson, Tn. and in 1987 was chosen to attend Governor’s School for the Arts in Murfreesboro, Tn. to further her training in Musical Theatre.
She is a 1992 Who’s Who graduate of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tn. with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She also held the title of Miss Lambuth University 1991 and competed in the 1991 Miss Tennessee America pageant, where she was a scholarship winner. Some of her greatest performance training took place on the stages of the Lambuth Theatre and Jackson Theatre Guild, where she played such lead roles as: Maria in “The Sound of Music”, Cinderella in “Cinderella”, Sister Hubert in “Nunsense”, Bonnie-Jean in “Brigadoon”, Mary-Magdalene in “Godspell” and Sandy in “Grease”.... the play that introduced her to the love of her life, Cary Vaughn.
Lalania’s past musical accomplishments include: 1996 National Country Music’s Vocalist Winner and opening act for Loretta Lynn, 1998 Gospel Radio’s Top 3 vocalist in the nation and Soloist at the Grande Ole Opry in Nashville, Tn., 1999 Solid Gospel Radio’s Top 3 vocalist in the nation and Soloist at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tn., 2002 National Gospel’s Vocalist Winner in Jackson, Tn. and 2010 4th place winner in the West Tennessee Idol vocal competition sponsored by the National Colgate Country Showdown, where she received Top Score in songwriting for her Original song “It’s Your Time” written for her daughter Logan.
I would like to thank the following people, who made this show a success: Our Amazing director- Jane Lester, who brought out the BEST in all of us, our talented Jordanaires (Michael, Kris, Steve and Barry…fondly known as “Barrytone”)…”It was a BLAST working with you guys.”, Alan-”Mr. D.J…Totally Awesome”, our hilarious comics….”Superb performance guys”, our little “Doggies” in the band (Scott, Conner, Josh, Curtis and Greg)….all I can say is “WOW”, ALL of our tech, crew, construction and costumes designers, who put in countless hours to make this show a success, my grandfather Carl Jones (Marine veteran), who was a title sponsor for the show…”Pop, you have always been one of my biggest supporters and I love you”, my wonderful husband Cary and children Logan and Colton for their endless love and support, “I couldn’t have done this without you!!!” And last, but certainly not least…my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the gift of Music that truly touches the heart and soul of mankind…. What a blessing!!!“
I grew up singing the hits of Patsy Cline, but never dreamed I would have the opportunity to portray this legendary singer with the golden voice. Her music and her voice are both timeless and I pray that I can bring “LIFE” to the role of Patsy…. in such a way, that the audience will experience that timeless magic once more. This is our tribute to YOU, Patsy!!!!
Connor Walker
(Spider Wilson - Guitar)
Conner began playing guitar in his early teens. Focusing mainly on bluegrass, country and folk, he plays multiple stringed instruments. A former guitar teacher, Conner was able to learn more about the instrument through teaching others. He current plays mandolin and guitar with the worship band at Evangel Church in Memphis.
Director
Jane Lester
Jane Lester has directed many times for Playhouse 51 but this is her first full-blown musical. Working with such a wonderfully talented and versatile cast and crew has been a pleasure in itself. But, getting to do that work, while enjoying the beautiful music and story of Patsy Cline, has been incredible. There were many moments when, in Patsy’s words, the music had me ‘mopping the tears.’ Thanks to all who participated in bringing this production to life. The members and board of Playhouse 51 hope you enjoy it and will tell all your friends to come see it. We also hope you leave with a renewed appreciation for the remarkable and touching talent of the too-soon-lost Patsy Cline.
Assistant Director
Cary Vaughn
Cary has been active in productions for the past 25 years. He has performed in Oliver,Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease, The Boys Next Door, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, South Pacific, The Fantastiks, Animal Crackers, and Harvey.
He has portrayed the role of Jesus in the Memphis Passion Play for the last 15 seasons. In 2004 and 2005, Cary and other local actors took this musical to South America for two weeks of performances. Cary has directed Omega 7, as well as Mousetrap. In his spare time, he auditions for commercials, industrials and voice-overs for companies such as TCBY, Fed Ex and Glass Pro.
Cary is excited to be a part of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, and he considers it a true privilege to be working with his wife, once again. Cary is the President/CEO of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce and former Executive Director of Playhouse 51.
Melinda Forsythe
Melinda seems to keep inheriting theatre children even though her own
children are grown and out of the nest. She played the Mother in the
Playhouse 51 productions of A Christmas Story and The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever. She also played the Mother in Miss Minerva and William Green Hill at
The Ruffin; and now she's 'mothering' our cast and crew on A Closer Walk
with Patsy Cline as our Stage Manager, a job she also performed on our first
production, Barefoot in the Park In her spare time, Melinda is a fitness
buff - - - she loves to run and do yoga. Plus, she has recently added yet
another role to her mothering: that of grandmother.
