I would absolutely see this show again at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" is full of energy, dance and excitement and, of course, good music as the show will transport you back to the 1950s at the beginning of the Rock and Roll era, which Buddy Holly was at the center of.
For those of you not familiar, this is the story of a skinny, nerdy-looking kid with black-rimmed glasses who lights rock and roll on fire before his tragic and untimely death in 1959, the day the music died.
Actor Hunter Henrickson is an absolute delight to watch on stage from the moment he enters until the moment he exits, as he has mastered Buddy Holly, including the musician's vocal hiccup that became an unforgettable trademark along with his abrupt pitch changes. Henrickson's performance gets two thumbs up as he keeps the energy going until the very end, and even then, he gives the audience one more famous song to end with, which brings everyone to their feet clapping and smiling.
Unless you're a diehard fan, you may not realize how many hits Holly had in his short career, but all of the favorites, including "Peggy Sue," "A Teenager In Love," and "Maybe Baby," to name just a few.
Holly's band members, The Crickets, include drummer Jerry Allison and bass player Joe B. Mauldin, played by Kyle Wells Lahr and Robert Brandon. Jack Supan is the fourth Cricket. These guys are great musicians and keep up with Henrickson on stage throughout the performance, making it feel like a Buddy Holly concert.
Despite this being a jukebox musical, it really does accurately tell the story of Buddy Holly, a pioneering figure, who was determined to record music his way and break away from the traditional country songs he was accustomed to in Lubbock, Texas, where he grew up.
The show focuses on his struggles as a musician until he meets the woman he plans to marry from the moment he sees her. Maria Elana is played beautifully by actress Natalie Carrera.
There are a lot of ensemble actors and some great dancers and musicians who are perfectly choreographed by Natalie Hershman, and director Matt McClure should be proud of his finished piece.
The show ends with the famous Winter Dance Party tour and last concert for Buddy Holly, who was touring with fellow musicians Ritchie Valens, played by Santos Sanchez, and the Big Bopper, played by Mike Brennan. Both men turned in jaw-dropping performances that left you wanting more.
But the show comes to a grinding halt with their last song of the concert when the three men freeze on stage, the theater goes dark, and spotlights shine directly on each of them, giving you the feeling they truly are suspended in time after their plane crashed on Feb. 3, 1959, killing all three rock icons and leaving a nation in shock. It is that scene when the audience, both young and old, realize that shock, either for the first time or all over again.
However, it doesn't leave the audience suspended in time. It quickly picks up with the concert continuing with a few more great songs that the audience quickly gets up and participates in, just like a concert.
While this show should be a boomer's dream, as a Gen X'er, I totally loved the way I felt when I left the theater, and that alone is worth more than anything.
"The Buddy Holly Story" runs through Feb. 15, so there is still plenty of time to get seats.
Tickets are available by calling 239-278-4422 or visiting BroadwayPalm.com
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