3 showings at Avalon Theatre
High Desert Opera returned to the Grand Junction stage December 2023 to perform Ted Swindley's Always...Patsy Cline at the Historic Avalon Theatre. The troupe's 21st season was highlighted by 3 successful performances of the show, as Colorado's own Geneve Rose Mitchell dazzled audiences in her portrayal of the Country/Pop music icon.
Performances ran from December 29th to December 31st, and show feedback was positive and glowing, with attendees getting photos and autographs from Jeneve and her co-star Sierra Rode in the lobby after the shows. Mrs. Rode (Edens) fulfilled the role of Louise Seger (Patsy Cline's good friend) in the production.
Based on life events of Patsy Cline...
Always...Patsy Cline is based on the true story of Patsy Cline's friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. Having first heard Cline on the "Arthur Godfrey Show" in 1957, Seger became an immediate and avid fan of Cline's and she constantly hounded the local disc jockey to play Cline's records on the radio. In 1961, when Cline went to Houston for a show, Seger and her buddies arrived about an hour-and-a-half early and, by coincidence, met Cline who was traveling alone. The two women struck up a friendship that was to culminate in Cline spending the night at Seger's house -a friendship that lasted until Cline's untimely death. – That's where our story begins. ~ Ogunquit Playhouse
The Cast
Jeneve Rose Mitchell - Patsy Cline
This “Rocky Mountain Hillbilly Girl” grew up off the grid in the Elk Wilderness of Colorado. At age 15, she was in the top 14 on American Idol, which 200,000 hopefuls had auditioned for.
Jeneve recorded and released her first professional EP in Nashville, including several songs from her American Idol journey as well as several originals. One of the songs on this album featured her friends Too Slim and Ranger Doug from Riders in the Sky, the Grand Ole Opry’s signature cowboy band, and achieved the #1 most played song on the Western Music Charts.
She plays an eclectic array of instruments as well as genres of music. She has won a variety of awards, including Best Harmony Duo with her dad in 2013 with her arrangement of Cool Water, the Western Music Association’s 2016 Crescendo Award for best new artist, the 2018 Youth Yodeler of the Year, and 2022 All Around Yodeler of the Year.
Sierra Rode (Edens) - Louise Seger
Meet Sierra Rode, a seasoned talent gracing the stage in High Desert Opera's 21st Season. She has brought many memorable roles to life since joining the troupe in 2008, including that of Fantine in Les Misérables, Maria in The Sound of Music, and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. Most recently (in Winter 2019), Sierra “had the honor” of playing Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz.
Beyond the spotlight, Sierra has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Colorado Mesa University (CMU), and currently works for the Mesa County Workforce Center’s Career Development Program - helping her community through case and grant management. She married her college sweetheart, Sean Edens, in June of this year and the two are enjoying marital bliss.
“I want to thank my co-star Jeneve Rose Mitchell for her amazing work and for sharing her talent with HDO, director Jim Werner for his tireless and inspiring work bringing theatre to the Grand Valley, and my wonderful husband for his undying love and support. Most of all, I would like to thank our patrons for sharing their holiday season with the HDO cast and crew, and hope they relish the enchanting performance!”
Always...Patsy Cline - feedback from patrons
- "I have been a big Patsy Cline fan since the 1950s, and I've seen productions of this show in big cities. I have nothing but praise for this show. Gevene IS Patsy...this was the best production of Always...Patsy Cline that I have ever seen." ~ Anonymous patron
- "Oh my gosh the best way to start the New Year. This was absolutely wonderful! I can’t say enough!" ~ Joleen
Backup singers
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Scott Betts
Originally from Iowa City, Iowa, Scott Betts earned his Bachelors in Music Education with an instrumental emphasis in 1977 and a Masters in Music Education in 1984 at the University of Northern Colorado. He then moved to the Grand Valley where he has taught at Central High School, Bookcliff Middle School, and Palisade High School. In the Spring of 2014, he retired after 22 years at Redlands Middle School where he taught orchestra and choir. Scott performs as a trumpeter and vocalist with Grand Junction Symphony, Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, Grand Junction Rockestra, and at numerous solo engagements. He also sings and plays guitar with his quartet, Hot Tub Jazz. Since the summer of 2008, Betts has been the conductor for the High Desert Opera. Scott is the 2021 recipient of the Central City Opera Guild’s Educator of the Year award. In August of 2021, Scott’s folk/jazz opera “One Bike” was presented at the Robinson Theater in the Moss Performing Arts Center. In November of 2023, His show, “Eclipse, The Musical” was presented at the Avalon. Besides making music, Scott’s hobbies include exercise and dancing the Argentine Tango with his wife Alice.
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Blake Leany
Blake would like to welcome patrons to another wonderful musical presentation. Although this is only Blake’s 2nd show with HDO (his first being in Mamma Mia in 2021), he has performed in other capacities over the years. “I hope everyone enjoys the production as much as I have!”
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Todd Mancuso
Todd’s theater background consists mainly of technical support. He was very involved with light design during his high school years in upstate New York. He has participated in school, church, and community choirs throughout his life. Todd moved to Grand Junction January of 2023 and has enjoyed exploring his talents and interests in this great community. He learned how to run sound during &Company’s production of Disney Descendants The Musical this summer. Todd’s first on stage role was just last month on The Avalon stage for the world premiere of Eclipse The Musical. Aside from theater Todd enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing, board games, motorcycles, volleyball and taking trips in his skoolie.
The band - Bodacious Bobcats
- Max Reilly - Piano
- Troy Raper - Bass
- Sage Vickers - Drums
- Bob Case - Pedal Steel Guitar
- Chris Unfug - Lead Guitar
- Sandy Sundstrom - Fiddle
- Scott Betts - Acoustic Guitar
