Meet the Artist
MUSIC DIRECTOR BARNEY STEIN
Regards from Broadway Rose
Fall 2024
Barney Stein, Music Director of Always…Patsy Cline
For the fourth time in Broadway Rose history, Barney Stein will be music directing for Always…Patsy Cline. As an actor, musician, and dancer, Barney has been a longtime collaborator with Broadway Rose and is making his return to the beloved musical this fall.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Barney was classically trained in piano as a child, and as a teenager, he played in bands. Additionally, he trained as a professional dancer and dance accompanist in California and New York prior to moving to Portland, and holds an M.A. in dance from Stanford University.
“My first music directing gig in Portland was for the original production of Wade McCollum’s ONE in 2002, produced at triangle productions!. Shortly thereafter, I music directed for Broadway Rose’s production of the Andrews Sisters musical, Christmas of Swing,” said Barney. In addition to music directing for multiple productions of Always…Patsy Cline, Barney has also appeared on stage at Broadway Rose in productions such as The Melody Lingers On, Chicago, 42nd Street, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Murder for Two, with David Saffert.
Barney Stein in our 2018 production of Murder for Two with David Saffert (back)
However, there is something that keeps bringing Barney back to music directing for Always…Patsy Cline. “Patsy’s music is timeless, showing up on modern streaming playlists all the time,” explained Barney. “Her voice is penetrating, even haunting, and the orchestrations we get to play are very close to original. As a musician, I really get a sense of the economy and perfection of the compositions and orchestrations.” Not only does Always…Patsy Cline tell the true story of the singer, but it brings the songs to life on stage in a way that pays homage to her legacy.
Focusing on jazz for the last few years, Barney is excited to bring a new perspective to the show. However, staying true to Patsy’s music is paramount to the production so he is ready to recreate her sound and music as closely as possible. “Musical theatre is so multi-textured, that it really hits audiences on many levels at once,” said Barney. “Theatre can be stirring and impactful for audiences, and vocal and instrumental music makes it that much richer.”
Broadway Rose Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome Barney back to this special production and to bring this show back to the stage in the spirit of Broadway Rose tradition.
