The world’s most successful rock ’n’ roll musical returns! “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Oh Boy” — the list of hit songs penned by Buddy Holly goes on and on. By his untimely death, the legend had already changed popular music forever. Vibrant and celebratory, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story tells the story of how a country boy became a rock ’n’ roll legend.
[Jeremy Holmes, Scott Carmichael, Zachary Stevenson]
Following a sold-out 2010 run at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage and a successful 2011 provincial tour, Buddy returns to the Stanley with Zachary Stevenson in the lead role. Stevenson’s spot-on performance, touted as one of the best seen on a Vancouver stage in recent years, will have audiences on their feet and dancing out of the theatre.
[Zachary Stevenson, Elena Juatco]
The Arts Club Theatre production also stars Michael Antonakas, Mat Baker, Jeff Bryant, Mark Burgess, Scott Carmichael, Marlene Ginader, Jeremy Holmes, Elena Juatco, Kieran Martin Murphy, Tom Pickett, Sibel Thrasher, Alec Willows, and Seana-Lee Wood.
“Zachary Stevenson makes the title character feel like a geeky, sexy, punk-rock rebel…the guy is a knockout” — Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
Bill Millerd, director of Buddy and Artistic Managing Director for the Arts Club remembers, “Red Robinson gave me a copy of an interview he did with Buddy Holly when he was in Vancouver in October 1957 for a concert, shortly after “That’ll Be the Day” had been released. In the interview, Buddy is bashful and awkward with none of that self-awareness that we often hear from megastars— a working musician in love with music making. The talented performers in our production of Buddy exude that same quality.”
Millerd continues, “Many thousands have enjoyed Zachary’s startling portrayal—his uncanny ability to find the core of who Buddy Holly was, when for a short time he burned like a comet across popular music of the mid-1950s.”
In 1989, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story premiered in London’s West End and ran for 13 years. It has been seen by over 20 million people in over 20,000 performances worldwide. Alan Janes was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Musical and internationally Buddy has received 13 nominations and awards.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Dates: July 12 to August 26; Tuesday, 7:30 pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 2 pm matinees
Venue: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $29 to $70, including fees; available both online and by phoning the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644.
Photo credit: Tim Matheson.
