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10/28/2009 3:33 AM

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Though he made a big splash directing glitzy, glittering productions of "The World Goes 'Round" and "Side by Side by Sondheim" for Washington Community Theatre a few years ago, Joe Wagner would rather look ahead than revisit the past.

So instead of taking on another Broadway-influenced revue, he's currently traveling along a country road by guiding actresses Amy Doria and Kathy Leadbitter through writer Ted Swindley's tribute to one of the most original vocalists who ever captivated audiences at the Grand Ole Opry.

The musical I'm referring to, "Always ... Patsy Cline," has already been a popular moneymaker for South Park Theatre and Pittsburgh CLO, but with Wagner now directing, it's bound to have something different at Julian's Banquet Hall in November. A little more pep, a little more humor, perhaps. Who knows?

One thing is certain: Wagner found a good team for the WCT production.

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Doria tackles the title role, and Leadbitter co-stars as Louise Seger, whose pen-pal friendship with Cline in the early 1960s was the basis for Swindley's script. Among the songs you'll hear are Cline's biggest hits, including "I Fall to Pieces," "Walkin' After Midnight," "She's Got You," "Sweet Dreams" and "Crazy."

"Always ... Patsy Cline" runs Nov. 13-15. For reservations to dinner and the show, call 724-225-0140.

Sly as fox

With "Ella" closing this weekend, I'm anxious to get back to Pittsburgh Public Theater and watch Helena Ruoti join a sorority that counts Tallulah Bankhead, Bette Davis, Anne Bancroft, Margaret Leighton, Simone Signoret, Elizabeth Taylor, Stockard Channing, Elizabeth Ashley and Kelly McGillis among its members.

She's the latest actress to star as the ambitious, greedy and self-serving Regina Hubbard Giddens in Lillian Hellman's rarely-revived masterpiece "The Little Foxes," which opens Nov. 12.

And, to give the production even more prestige, it has a fine cast all around. Appearing with Ruoti under Ted Pappas' direction are Michael McKenzie, Deidre Madigan, Ross Bickell, John Shepard, Lara Hillier, Christopher Landis, Wali Jamal, Philip Winters and Linda Haston.

"The Little Foxes" runs through Dec. 13.

Critical opinion

My belated congratulations go to veteran Pittsburgh Post-Gazette theater critic Chris Rawson, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the New Works Festival's Oct. 11 gala.

He became, after City Paper's Ted Hoover, the second critic to receive an accolade typically bestowed upon actors, directors, designers and other theater pros associated with New Works. It's well deserved, too. No critic in the area has given the festival more coverage and more support during its 19-season history.

Also at the gala, held aboard the Princess at Station Square, Christopher Dimond's one-act play "The Blasphemy of Bees" collected the most Donna Awards. In addition to being named as the festival's outstanding production, it won for best actor (Chris Bondi), best actress (Sara Fisher) and best supporting actor (T.C. Brown).

Venue quest

Owing plenty to her imagination, Karla Boos can transformation any accessible location - no matter how strange you and I might think it is - into a viable performance space. For Quantum Theatre, she produced and/or directed plays in parks, a stable, a garden, a warehouse, even a cemetery, a swimming pool and an adult movie theater.

Well, the quest for an offbeat venue continues. Recently, Boos announced that Quantum will stage Leonard Bernstein's musical "Candide" in what she described as "a most fitting modern ruin."

Most Pittsburghers know that building as the former Don Allen Auto City on Baum Boulevard in Shadyside. I just know it as the place where, 21 years ago, I bought my first car.

"Candide" opens Nov. 5. Visit QuantumTheatre.com for other details.

Doug Shanaberger covers theater for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at ds7f@andrew.cmu.edu

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