Grade: A

There are singers whose voices are so distinctive that a few lines are all that's necessary to identify them. Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman,Elvis Presley. All have voices that have actually become iconic. Patsy Cline was one of these, too.

Seldom has a voice had both the body and the sweetness that Cline's had. Whether she was singing country, rock, gospel or pop, you heard the voice and you knew it was Patsy Cline.

Anne Karner has managed to capture that voice and delivery in her turn as Cline in the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's current production of “Always...Patsy Cline.” Along with Thomasin Savaiano as Cline's friend and fan, Louise Seger, the play delivers a load of laughs and some bittersweet moments and one classic tune after another.

Savaiano is terrific as Seger, a single mom who went to see Cline at a Houston honky-tonk and began a friendship with the singer that lasted until Cline's death in a 1963 plane crash.  Savaiano walks the audience through the night she met the star and forged that friendship and it is she who moves the play forward. 

She does it with style and charm and more than a fair share of humor.

But it is Karner's Cline who the audience came to see and they aren't cheated. Karner has the voice and the look and the attitude down perfectly, but what she delivers is even more, a look at the soul of a woman who didn't sing because she could, but because she needed to.  What she sang meant something to Cline and whether it was joy or pain she had to share it.  Anne Karner is simply astounding in the role of Patsy Cline.

Director Steve Bebout, who last season tackled Buddy Holly, keeps the pace brisk and appears to have done nothing else.  That is a mark of fine directing - shows this good don't just happen to gel.

Travis Lope does wonderful work with the costumes and Lisa Rokicki deserves a nod for her wig and hair work, not just here, but for the entire season. 

Michael F. Hottois has designed a unit set that serves the play well and Leann Ellis does fine work with the lighting.

Musical Director Mark Goodman has once again put together a marvelous orchestra and makes a fine “Hoss.”

There is nothing objectionable for younger audiences.

If you go

What: “Always...Patsy Cline”

When: Through Sept. 29

Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Owasco

For tickets and information: Call the box office at 255-1785 or visit www.merry- go-round.com