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20 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, January 23, 2008 A Patsy Cline tribute show is coming to uptown Waterloo Ithough country music senâ€" Afiation Patsy Cline died in 963, her voice is being kept alive by a local singer. Leisa Way is bringing her origiâ€" nal show, Sweet Dreams â€" A Tribâ€" ute to Patsy Cline, to Waterloo next week, and people will leave the theatre feeling as though they‘ve spent an "amazing" evening with the singer. "That was my goal when I wrote this show," said Way, who will take the stage at the Waterloo Entertainâ€" ment Centre from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. Sweet Dreams "When I start singing some of those songs, I lose myself in them. I‘m not Leisa anymore. I‘m certainâ€" ly not Patsy, but I‘m not Leisa anyâ€" more, and I try to embody her as much as I can." Born in Kitchener, Way has played the role of Cline twice before, first in a 45â€"minute tribute show and later in the stage musical A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline. | "That‘s a musical where another character does all the talking, and all I did was come on in 18 beautiâ€" ful costumes and sing the songs," she said. "I wanted to do more. "I wanted to do a show that told wonderful stories about Patsy‘s life and brought to life the person Patsy Cline, not just the singer, but there is no musical that really does that." So, she wrote one herself. For about a year she researched Cline‘s life, sifting through written materials, as well as live and audio footage, to learn about the legâ€" endary singer. All het efforts culminated in Sweet Dreams â€" A Tribute to Patsy Cline, a twoâ€"hour show that includes 28 songs strung together with stories about her life. "She was a character," Way said. "She paved the way for the singers of today. She made it possible for By Jennirer ORMSTON Chronicle Staff \p Leisa Way is taking the stage at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre in her original show, Sweet Dreams â€" Tribute to Patsy Cline, beginning Jan. 30. female country singers to take the stage as solo artists because she was the first one to do it, to really do it." Genevieve DeMerchant, the theatre‘s manager of marketing and publicity, said it‘s obvious Way did her homework before writing this ARTS FOCUS 141 Victoria St. S. Kitchener P: 519â€"885â€"7145 Email: lingu@rogers.com Aubergine Interiors offers expert advice in a friendly environment. SERVICES OFFERED: In home consultations, colour selection, space planning, shopping services, custom window fashions, Iamps, prints, mirrors and much more. Call today to make an appointment and stop by the studio and SAVE 20% OFF all in stock .__merchandise during our winter sale! Decorating season is upon us. Known as "INTERIORS WITHOUT ATTITUDE" "(She) has put together a show that is not only highly entertaining from a musical standpoint, but which also tells Patsy Cline‘s perâ€" sonal story by giving some real insight into her life." In addition to her singing abiliâ€" ties, Cline was famous for her wardrobe â€" including tight red pants â€" which was considered shocking in the 1960s. _ o_ "She blazed a trail," Way said. "She changed the way people saw country singers. It wasn‘t just as a country hick. "And yet, she never ever left her roots as a downâ€"toâ€"earth country girl." PSYCHIC EXPO Guelph‘s Largest International SUBMITTED PHOTO Way‘s acting career began when she was cast as Anne in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival. Since then she‘s been in tours of hit Broadway and offâ€" Broadway shows, including Peter Pan, Show Boat, Crazy for You, Cats and more. But she said Sweet Dreams â€" A Tribute to Patsy Cline stands out for her, and it‘s a "wonderful" gift to play this role. __ When asked about the audience reaction to her show, Way said they‘re "hooting and hollering." "They have a good time, we have a good time," she said. Way‘s accompanied by the fourâ€"piece Wayward Wind band with Michael Mulrooney on piano, Bruce Ley on guitar, Bob Hewus on bass and drummer Dave Wilson. "We have such a good time on stage, it‘s very comfortable, very friendly," she said. _ e "So many people have said, ‘I just had fun watching you. Your interaction with the band is so great, it‘s so natural and it‘s like Patsy Cline.‘" People of all ages enjoy this show, which includes hit songs such as Crazy, Walkin‘ After Midâ€" night and I Fall to Pieces, DeMerâ€" chant said. "Watching Leisa in character is quite amazing," she said. "She realâ€" ly has captured Patsy Cline‘s look and presence. "I think the audience will be impressed and definitely walk away with a smile, and likely humâ€" ming their favourite tune." Sweet Dreams â€" A Tribute to Patsy Cline plays Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Waterloo Entertainment Centre, at 24 King St. N. Tickets cost $24 for adults, $19 for seniors and $14 for children 14 years old and under. _ __ For information or tickets, go to www.waterlooentertainmentcenâ€" tre.com or call 519â€"883â€"0300.