Mar 4, 2019
My guest today is Jacqueline Petroccia. Jackie is a classically
trained vocalist, who enjoys singing opera, musical theater, jazz,
and country. I saw Jackie perform her own show, called
“Sometimes Patsy Cline” at the Alabama Shakespeare
Festival, a theater in Montgomery, Alabama in September 2018. I was
moved by her courage to play herself in an original show of stories
and songs that told her own life story, influenced by Patsy Cline,
but just as inclusive of the different genres that shaped Jackie.
She collaborated with her husband, Brent Frederick, her musical
director and arranger, as they created an entertaining, heartfelt
show that deeply touched me. When you are playing yourself, Jackie
realized how exposed she felt, there was no character to hide
behind. It’s risky to stretch the audience’s limited expectations
of who they want you to be, and dare to show up as YOURSELF,
trusting in your own authenticity.
Jackie tells the story of how she was discovered 14 years ago to
play Patsy Cline in a production of “Always Patsy Cline”,
which led to her to performing that role over a dozen times in
various regional productions throughout the country. Jacqueline is
deeply grateful for all that she has learned from Patsy Cline,
someone who has inspired Jackie in countless ways. It was a thrill
for Jackie to record her double album, “Champagne and Moonshine”
in Nashville, Tennessee. A few songs were actually recorded
in the same studio where Patsy recorded her music.
Jackie talks about the humbling, exhilarating role of being a new
mother as well as her desire to continue performing. She
acknowledges that many people make assumptions that she wouldn’t
want to work, and she says please don’t make that assumption, call
me! She was inspired to find this work/family balance from the
online community Broadway Baby Moms and encourages
other artists thinking about starting a family to trust that it
will all fall into place.
Check out the links below for Jackie’s website, to buy her album,
see photos and find her upcoming performances. In fact, Jackie will
be performing Patsy in another production of “Always
Patsy Cline” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 16th,
2019. I hope to see you there!
Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
Double
CD: Champagne and Moonshine
Website
FB: Jacqeline Petroccia
IG:
@jackiepetro
@jeffwhitingnyc