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Musical Story
of Pen Pals Patsy and Louise Kaija Bonde was a Patsy Cline fan all of her life - then she saw the show Always … Patsy Cline, and something clicked. "We knew immediately it was for her," said Brian Bonde, Kaija's husband and show director. "Kaija has a tremendous voice." Patsy Cline has been called "country music's greatest female singer" and the award winning musical Always … Patsy Cline tells of a friendship that developed between the superstar and a Texas housewife named Louise Seger. The new musical play comes to the Eppley Auditorium at Morningside College on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. "It's a great show for many reasons," said Bonde. "First off it's a true story about Patsy Cline, who led a interesting life." He adds that the show has an outstanding cast featuring the band Poker Alice and 25 of Patsy's songs - including the hits "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy," "Back in Baby's Arms" and "She's Got You." - performed by Kaija. "Kaija is an incredible singer," said Brian Bonde. "She is constantly asked, 'Why aren't you in Nashville?' " Always...Patsy Cline is not only a song-filled show, but an intimate and uplifting look at the life of country music's most beloved singer. The play focuses on the unusual friendship Patsy shared with star-struck fan Louise Seger. Seger, and most of the nation, fell in love with Patsy's voice after seeing her perform "Walkin' After Midnight" on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts in 1957. Seger followed Cline's career via radio and television and finally met the singer at a Houston concert in 1961. The two were pen pals until a plane crash in 1963 claimed Cline's life. Kaija, who wonderfully recreates the memory of Patsy's sound, brings a familiar face and voice to regional audiences, having appeared in numerous productions including Evita, Into the Woods, City of Angels, Pump Boys and Dinettes, A… My Name is Still Alice, The Sound of Music, Nunsense and more. Jill Pillar, who portrays Louise Seger, is a seasoned actress with Man of La Manch, West Side Story, Evita, A Chorus Line, Tony and Tina's Wedding, Christmas Carol, and Little Shop of Horrors to her credit. Brian Bonde said the play's title refers to the manner in which Cline would close each of her letters: "Love always ... Patsy Cline." "We try to be as true to Patsy as we can," said Bonde, who with his wife started The Comfort Theatre Company in Sioux Falls. The Bonde's have been involved in theatre for more than 20 years and The Comfort Theatre Company grew out of the idea that "we could produce high quality musical theater experiences almost anywhere." In short, they wanted to make musical theater more accessible to the citizens of rural areas, while never compromising artistic quality, Bonde said. "We've always wanted our own theatre," said Brian Bonde. "Some day we hope to have several shows going at once." "But right now we're just busy doing Patsy," he said. Reach Angela Parsley at aparsley@siouxland.net or 712-252-4042. |
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