"ALWAYS ... PATSY CLINE" Taproot Theatre Company May 14 - June 14, 2025 Review
ALWAYS … PATSY CLINE
By Ted Swindley - based on a true story
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 5/17/25 - 7:30pm Performance
I had the privilege of seeing the latest production at the Taproot Theatre Company back in 2019, when it did a nineteen show run next door in the Isaac Studio. The show left a lasting impression on me that when I saw it was going to debut on the mainstage Jewell Theatre this season, I was beyond excited.
And to add the cherry on top of the country pie, the cast members I saw in 2019 were reprising their respective roles. Now I really couldn’t wait for the opening weekend!
What I’ve told people about this show is that it is a must see. Period. You don’t have to be a fan of Patsy Cline. You don’t have to like country western music (even though there’s a good chunk of her catalog that moves into other genres of music).
The story is a human interest story between a fan back in the late 50’s-early 60’s and the (eventual) country legend Patsy Cline. The story along with the performances from the two leads Cayman Ilika (as Patsy Cline) and Kate Jaeger (as Louise Seger) are what makes this show spectacular.
Backed by a live five piece band, the show has a long list of Patsy Cline songs interwoven with the true story of a fan that befriends Patsy Cline when she comes to her town for a concert.
There is humor throughout the story. Kate Jaeger has impeccable comedic timing and she narrates the story in such a way that you feel like you’re sitting in her kitchen while she tells you all the stories about Patsy Cline.
Cayman Ilika has to have one of the most perfect voices in musical theatre. I remember just being left speechless by her performance six years ago. Would she be just as great in 2025? A resounding hell yes! She tells the stories through the lyrics as her voice just wraps around the listener and never, ever, lets go. A two step, a sultry ballad, every song in the book was as top notch as the one before it.
The chemistry between Kate and Cayman is undeniable. They are so perfect together in this production that there is honestly nothing that could be done to improve it. Yes folks, it's that good.
I said it earlier but I’ll say it again. Go see this show! If you’re a musical theatre lover, if you love concerts, if you’ve been waiting for that transition show to get you from plays to musicals, this show will be the perfect gateway for you.
Why are you still reading this? Go buy those tickets now!
”Always … Patsy Cline” is playing through June 14th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
By Ted Swindley - based on a true story
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 5/17/25 - 7:30pm Performance
(Cayman Ilika in Always… Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.)
(WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH KATE JAEGER AND CAYMAN ILIKA)
I had the privilege of seeing the latest production at the Taproot Theatre Company back in 2019, when it did a nineteen show run next door in the Isaac Studio. The show left a lasting impression on me that when I saw it was going to debut on the mainstage Jewell Theatre this season, I was beyond excited.
And to add the cherry on top of the country pie, the cast members I saw in 2019 were reprising their respective roles. Now I really couldn’t wait for the opening weekend!
What I’ve told people about this show is that it is a must see. Period. You don’t have to be a fan of Patsy Cline. You don’t have to like country western music (even though there’s a good chunk of her catalog that moves into other genres of music).
The story is a human interest story between a fan back in the late 50’s-early 60’s and the (eventual) country legend Patsy Cline. The story along with the performances from the two leads Cayman Ilika (as Patsy Cline) and Kate Jaeger (as Louise Seger) are what makes this show spectacular.
(L to R: Kate Jaeger and Cayman Ilika in Always… Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.)
Backed by a live five piece band, the show has a long list of Patsy Cline songs interwoven with the true story of a fan that befriends Patsy Cline when she comes to her town for a concert.
There is humor throughout the story. Kate Jaeger has impeccable comedic timing and she narrates the story in such a way that you feel like you’re sitting in her kitchen while she tells you all the stories about Patsy Cline.
Cayman Ilika has to have one of the most perfect voices in musical theatre. I remember just being left speechless by her performance six years ago. Would she be just as great in 2025? A resounding hell yes! She tells the stories through the lyrics as her voice just wraps around the listener and never, ever, lets go. A two step, a sultry ballad, every song in the book was as top notch as the one before it.
(L to R: Cayman Ilika and Kate Jaeger in Always… Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.)
The chemistry between Kate and Cayman is undeniable. They are so perfect together in this production that there is honestly nothing that could be done to improve it. Yes folks, it's that good.
I said it earlier but I’ll say it again. Go see this show! If you’re a musical theatre lover, if you love concerts, if you’ve been waiting for that transition show to get you from plays to musicals, this show will be the perfect gateway for you.
Why are you still reading this? Go buy those tickets now!
”Always … Patsy Cline” is playing through June 14th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Cayman Ilika in Always… Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre. Photo by Robert Wade.)
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