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Center Repertory Company is launching its 2022-23 season with the hit musical play Always…Patsy Cline. This moving tribute spotlights the true story of an unlikely friendship between the legendary country star and one of her biggest fans, Louise Seger. Cline and Seger bond in a Texas honky-tonk and trade letters of happiness and heartache until Cline’s tragic death at the age of 30. Created by Ted Swindley, the musical play that has dazzled audiences across the world and was called “a song filled valentine” by the Los Angeles Times. Always…Patsy Cline offers audiences a warm and inviting night replete with down home country humor and touching emotion. The play features 27 of Cline’s unforgettable hits including “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walking After Midnight.” Always…Patsy Cline will perform September 9-25, 2022 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.
Center Repertory Company is also offering Pay What You Can tickets (suggested price of $25) for the September 9 – 11 preview performances of Always…Patsy Cline, increasing access to theatre, inviting audiences to see the show at whatever price that they can afford. ASL interpretation for deaf and hard of hearing patrons is offered at the 2:30 pm performance on September 25.
Cayman Ilika’s (Patsy Cline) extensive stage credits include Austen’s Pride and her Gypsy Rose Lee Award-winning turn as Lilli Vanessi/Katherine in Kiss Me, Kate at Seattle’s The 5th Avenue Theatre; Nancy in Oliver! at Musical Theatre West; the world premiere of Beatsville at Asolo Repertory Theatre; Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet, a Footlight Award-winning performance as Julie in Showboat, and a Gregory Award-nominated performance in the title role of Mary Poppins at Village Theatre; Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and Vanities-A New Musical at ACT in Seattle; and Anne Elliot in the World Premiere of Persuasion and a Gregory Award-nominated turn as Patsy in Always…Patsy Cline at Taproot Theatre Company. Ilika’s vocals can be heard on the Original Cast Album of Persuasion, and the Studio Cast Album of Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Cline’s biggest fan, Kate Jaeger (Louise Seger) is an actor, director, and educator. Roles at theatres throughout the Northwest include Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, Pennywise in Urinetown, Karen in August: Osage County, Lucy in Avenue Q, Mary in Persuasion: A New Musical, Ethel Merman in Judy’s Scary Little Christmas, and Annie in Evil Dead: the Musical. When not on stage, she teaches acting and improvisation to students of all ages.
For tickets and more information, you can visit lesherartscenter.org or call the box office at (925) 943-7469 (open Wed-Sun, 12-6pm).
