By Art Segal, special to the Blog
Last Friday evening my partner and I attended a performance of “Always…Patsy Cline” directed by Karen Lund at Taproot Theatre on Northwest 85th Street in Seattle (near Greenwood Avenue.) It was a wonderfully moving and highly entertaining experience – we were completely delighted and enchanted by the singers and the strong support from the excellent band.
This wonderful show is absolutely too good to be missed! Go and see it ASAP – and you will thank me for saying this.
This show is based on the true story of Patsy’s friendship with Louise, who invites her to stay for the night and helps her with the many difficulties of arranging her upcoming performances. Unforgettable, heartwarming songs in the show include “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Crazy,” through which you will experience the unique power of romantic love, longing for the past, and new-found friendship. It’s all here, in this one amazing show that you will not soon forget. Cayman Ilika (Patsy) has been called “one of the best vocalists in Seattle.”
The setting is 1957-1963, in Louise’s kitchen where Patsy and Louise desperately struggle – while singing! – to prepare all the meals needed for the crew of their show that evening, and includes other locations from Patsy’s career, such as the Grand Ole Opry. We see these two women work through their problems and remain friends, despite the major challenges of a “last-minute overnight visit” as Kate (Louise) informs us onstage; and oh, yes, they do survive! – becoming lifelong friends in front of our eyes, as we watch them work absolute magic, musically and dramatically.
This is one show that I truly want to see again, if possible. Our seats were in the balcony near the stage, but every seat in the Taproot Theatre is great, and throughout the almost two hours – which seemed to pass in mere minutes – we were tightly gripped by the true story of Patsy and Louise, embodied in the musical brilliance of these two wonderful singers/actors – as well as the delightful band, including piano, bass, drums, electric guitar and pedal steel guitar – all superbly led by conductor Evan Barrett. With 27 great songs, I was more than satisfied with an evening very well spent!
The show is so heart-warming, you might even cry. The singing is awesome, the acting is magical – so get yourself to Taproot Theatre asap, and you’ll be glad you did. Circle your calendars, and bring your family and friends.
Tickets for remaining performances (through June 21) can be purchased at the Taproot Box Office, or by visiting their ticketing page.
Box Office: 206-781-9707 or email: [email protected]
