In Print
Newspaper features
Reporters across five states came to see what a Sioux Falls company was doing with a Texas housewife and a country legend. Here is some of what they wrote.
Remembering Patsy
Sioux Falls Argus Leader · March 15, 2007
Written as the show approached what were then its final performances, this piece caught the company looking back on nearly ten years. When they started, the members had said they would keep doing it until it stopped being fun, and the reporter noted that the moment never arrived. At its peak the show ran twice a month across South Dakota and the surrounding states. The story found Jill Johnson and the Bondes digging through old playbills, photographs, and gifts from fans, laughing about the small sets, the schools, and the cafes where they had played. Johnson described what she and Kaija had built as something bigger than the show itself: two friends who simply liked getting together, and who kept the laughing and joking going before and after every performance.
A Piece of My Mind: Always... Patsy Cline
Margaret Ludington · Altoona Herald, Iowa · October 30, 2002
A columnist who rarely interviews actors made an exception when the Des Moines Playhouse offered her the chance. She wanted to know what it takes to play a star everyone can already hear in their memory, and how a company keeps a show alive year after year. Meeting Kaija and Jill Pillar-Johnson at the Playhouse, she found her answer immediately: two friends who worked so well together they finished each other's sentences, who loved the show, and whose audiences loved watching them love it. Her verdict after seeing it that Friday night was simple enough. Kaija sings the way she herself dreams of singing.
The column also turned up a lovely wrinkle: of the two dozen Cline songs in the show, "Crazy" is the one Kaija liked singing least, precisely because the audience knows every note and every nuance by heart.
Acclaimed musical comes to Fargo Theatre
Sarah Henning · The Fargo Forum · October 28, 2001
The piece opens on the unlikeliest fact about the show: the woman playing Patsy Cline started out disliking country music. Kaija's plans ran toward community theater and cabaret in the Streisand mold, not fringe and cowboy boots. Four years on the road changed that entirely. She told the reporter that after singing Patsy for years the two of them had grown into each other, and that country music had become her second love after musical theater.
The Fargo Theatre's executive director brought the show back on the strength of the previous year's crowd response, and the article noted the company had just sold out four shows in three days in Des Moines.
Always discovering details
Bruce Miller · The Sioux City Journal · October 13, 2000
Two years into the role, Kaija told the Journal she still listened to Cline's records constantly and never failed to find something new in them, aware of every breath and every nuance. The hardest song remained "Crazy," she said, because expectations run so high that people want it to sound exactly like the record. Her practice method was straightforward: she listened in the car, studying the way Cline sang behind the beat.
The story also captured the show's magpie side. Kaija made some fifteen costume changes a performance and haunted vintage clothing stores for dresses, among them gowns once worn by Lorna Herseth, a former first lady of South Dakota.
Musical story of pen pals Patsy and Louise
Angela Parsley · Sioux City Weekender · October 12, 2000
A preview of the Morningside College run that laid out the show's appeal: a true story, an outstanding cast, the Poker Alice Band, and twenty-five Cline songs including "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy," "Back in Baby's Arms," and "She's Got You." Brian described the origin simply enough. Kaija had been a Patsy Cline fan all her life, and when they saw the show, something clicked and they knew immediately it was for her. He also mentioned a question Kaija fielded constantly from audiences: why aren't you in Nashville?
Always...Patsy Cline at the Rushmore Civic Center
Rochelle Hagel · Panache Magazine, Rapid City · November 2–15, 2000
This one holds the company's mission statement, in Kaija's own words. Asked what "Comfort Theatre" means, she explained that it is like comfort food: music that makes you feel good. The pair told the reporter they had started the company because musical theater needed to get out around South Dakota, and that the quality of their show was meant to match anything you would see at the Pavilion in Sioux Falls. By that November, two and a half years in, Always... Patsy Cline had played more than thirty communities and roughly a hundred performances counting private bookings, and the Bondes were already admitting the show had kept them far busier than they ever expected.
Kudos
What presenters said
These come from evaluation forms, letters, and emails sent by the arts councils, schools, theaters, and civic groups who brought the show to their communities. We have never been able to throw them away.
"This was, by far, the best. The audience was overwhelmed, and the artists were a dream come true. Truly, truly fabulous!"Yankton
"The program was excellent. I have not had one negative comment, and that's a first. Ms. Bonde's voice is exceptional and Jill Pillar stole the show. Our theatre was sold out and everyone there was very happily entertained. There wasn't one dead spot in the show."Flandreau
"The show was outstanding. Kaija and Jill are very talented. So much so that many asked where they were from, like South Dakota couldn't have such talented folks in it."Deadwood
"We were thrilled with the production and none of us have heard one comment that wasn't exuberant. Everyone loved it. Several people thanked us for bringing them to town. This is an energetic, quality show."Vermillion
"The audience was entertained from beginning to end, mesmerized by the performance of both actors. I would highly recommend the production."Madison
"This show sells itself. After each performance the word gets around about how good it is. The people in the community were very happy we brought the show out. We have not had anything like this before out here."Humboldt
"The show was a complete sell-out. We could have sold many more tickets. The superb performance was well received in the community. Many comments stating, first class act for our town!"De Smet
"We sold over 400 advanced tickets with word of mouth publicity only. The response was great! The program was professionally done by both the company and the band."Canton
"This was an excellent program. It's going to be tough to find entertainment of this quality and caliber in the future. Many people came to see the show for a second time."Tyndall
"The show was outstanding. People are still raving about it and want to see it again. Their tech staff even had helpful hints for our next community musical."Centerville
"This was a fantastic event. It was well conducted and brilliantly performed. I know the audience enjoyed their performances very much."Rapid City
"The performance was wonderful! The Comfort Theatre was easy to work with. Five star performance!"Watertown
"Everyone here was THRILLED. Thanks for a great show! The staff here also felt the experience was a good one. It's nice to work with people who understand theatre."Des Moines
"This program brought a whole different exposure of art and theater to many, many people in our community. It was a great success for our community and the arts in our area."Brandon
"It was a great program. We are trying to build interest in the arts in our community. Because of this event, a donor came forward and donated $4,000 to the school piano fund."Lennox
"Working with this entire group was a treat. They are professional and funny and great to have in our town. I look forward to their next production and can't wait to bring them back year after year!"Lead
"Excellent show. Response from the community was only positive. It was a very crowd-pleasing performance. This program was well worth the investment."Sisseton
"The company was excellent to work with in all aspects of the touring production. There was excellent response from all ages attending."Aberdeen
"The program was well received. The community appreciates that shows of this quality are available to be presented in our rural communities."Parker
"Terrific fun! Everyone really enjoyed the evening. Music and comedy were top-drawer!"Sturgis
"They are fun to work with and the audience was very responsive and appreciative both nights."Flandreau
"We had record ticket sales and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We've heard only praise for the Comfort Theatre Company!"Gettysburg
"This was the best response we've ever had. Brian Bonde was very helpful with lighting and sound for the entire program, not just their portion, which was greatly appreciated."Sioux Falls
"Always... Patsy Cline was excellent! There was a lot of conversation among the attendees about the top quality of the program. It made Sioux Falls and all involved proud to be able to present a program of this quality."Sioux Falls
"What a great show!"Tea
"Excellent!"Pierre
And for the other shows
Presenters wrote about the company's other productions too, including East of Westreville, Kaija & Gene, and Of Thee I Swing.
"East of Westreville is one of the finest touring programs this state has to offer. They are not only great musicians and vocalists but they put on a wonderful program that really connects with the audience."South Dakota Friends of Traditional Music, Gayville
"The show was fantastic. Our group absolutely loved it and had nothing but great things to say. Kaija has a fantastic and amazing voice. The entire evening was extremely enjoyable!"Missouri River Energy Services
"Everyone involved was in top form. The audience really got into it and couldn't get enough of the songs. I believe this was as good or better than anything brought into our state from the outside world."Orpheum Theatre, Sioux Falls
"The musical selections were perfect. Your energetic and exquisite performances were an amazing gift. It was a marvelous time for participants and planners alike."Augustana College, Sioux Falls
"True professionals. Great talent. The audience really enjoyed it and it brought lots of new faces to our venue!"The Grand Opera House, Dell Rapids
"The Comfort Theatre did an excellent job, as expected. The show was well produced and provided strong vocals, excellent choice of material and humor. They interacted well with our audience and were a great addition to our festival!"Sioux River Folk Festival, Newton Hills
"Members of the High Plains Arts Council were very pleased with all of our dealings with the Comfort Theatre. Everyone enjoyed the show immensely. We've heard nothing but praise from the community. This is the third time we've had the Comfort Theatre Company and hope it won't be the last."High Plains Arts Council, Gettysburg
"Thoroughly professional and accommodating in the setup. Very well received by the audience. They are welcome back at any time."Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell
"People commented that this was the best show we have had yet. The Comfort Theatre group was great."Lyric Theatre, Platte
"The program was excellent and the artists were wonderful. The Comfort Theatre was a wonderful group to work with and were very kind and professional."Children's Care Hospital and School, Sioux Falls
"Great program! Cast and crew were easy to work with. We are looking forward to working with them again."SDSU Theatre Festival, Brookings
"The show was a smash hit!"South Dakota State University, Brookings
"Great job by the performers. People of Clark are so pleased that they want a similar event next year."Clark Public School
"East of Westreville was great. We have always been very happy with the Comfort Theatre performances."De Smet Memorial Hospital Foundation
"Wonderful, wonderful event!"Deadwood Lead Arts Council
"Well received by audience. Did a very good job of drawing in the audience and getting them to participate."Matthews Opera House, Spearfish
"The Comfort Theatre again gave a great performance in Sisseton. Those attending really enjoyed it and we hope to have them back again next year."Sisseton Arts Council
"Great program, very entertaining."National Music Museum, Vermillion
"An excellent musical program for all the delegates of the conference!"United Methodist Dakotas Conference, Sioux Falls
"Very professional, well organized and the public was very responsive to the quality."El Riad Shrine, Sioux Falls
"East of Westreville put on a wonderful show, well received by the audience."Canton
"East of Westreville was very well received by the audience and they thoroughly enjoyed it."Area Community Theatre, Mitchell
"East of Westreville was excellent, thank you!"Historic Homestake Opera House, Lead
"East of Westreville gave an excellent performance!"Riverboat Days, Yankton
"Of Thee I Swing was excellent and very well received."Prairie Lakes Area Arts Council, De Smet
"Kaija, Gene and crew were wonderfully greeted by the audience. His talent and her voice teamed up for a winning evening. Back from 2003 by popular demand. Great to work with them!"Mondays at McKennan, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation
"East of Westreville are terrific, perfectly blended music and vocals. Nice repertoire, the entire group loved them."Prairie Arts Management Institute, Sioux Falls
"East of Westreville was great! The quality of the performance was superb. They catered to our audience and really involved them. They were here early to do setup and sound checks. They are true professionals. It was a fabulous way to end our Rural Life Celebration."Colton
"Comfort Theatre performances are always excellent and professional. The audience loved them! We've worked with them before and we'll do it again and again."Sioux Falls