It has been 50 years since “The Day the Music Died” and Buddy Holly's music and legacy are still going strong.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Chelsea Lovett and Erik Hayden rehearse for the upcoming Merry-Go-Round Playhouse production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” Hayden stars as the title character and Lovett portrays his wife, Maria Elena, in the musical, which opens Sept. 9.
Chelsea Lovett and Erik Hayden rehearse for the upcoming Merry-Go-Round Playhouse production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” Hayden stars as the title character and Lovett portrays his wife, Maria Elena, in the musical, which opens Sept. 9.
Fans of Holly's music will soon have the opportunity to experience it live, as part of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” a musical that tells the story of Buddy Holly through his music.
“Buddy” will be performed at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse starting Wednesday, Sept. 9.
“This show is unlike other music-based plays,” said Michael Croiter, musical director for Merry-Go-Round's production of the show.
“It is biographical and the music is played in that context. It isn't like other shows that take the music of an artist and then mold a story to the music. Here, the story is Buddy Holly.”
First performed in London in 1990, “Buddy” became one of the first musicals based on the works of a recording artist. While later shows such as the Abba inspired “Mamma Mia” and “Movin' Out,” based on the music of Billy Joel, became hits on Broadway, “Buddy” did not fare well when it came to the United States.
“A lot of people blame the lack of success on the fact that it opened on Broadway just days before the Gulf War started,” said Croiter. “And there are also more fans of Buddy Holly in the U.K. than there are here.”
Despite disappointment in New York City, the show continues to do well on tours and in regional theaters such as Merry-Go-Round. Croiter attributes that to the fact that there is more to the show than the iconic music. “This is a really good story, it has everything in it that people want, from romance to excitement.”
One of the defining aspects of the show is how it utilizes the music of Buddy Holly. Erik Hayden, who is reprising the role of Buddy Holly from several performances, including Merry-Go-Rounds 2006 production,
explains, “This is very different from a traditional musical. Rather
than use the music to advance the plot, it is a play about a rock
artist with rock music in it as appropriate.“
Hayden, originally a musician, appreciates the role for many reasons,
one of which is that the music is all live. “We are really up there
playing the instruments. You have all the aspects of a play and a
rock show.“
The live music in the production leads to unique challenges for the
cast and crew. “I have to have a lot of stamina,” Hayden said. “In
addition to acting, I have something like 20 songs I have to sing,
rock songs that I have to sing over the guitars, the drums, the amps.
There's also the technical aspect of it, and the casting. Luckily I
don't have to worry about that part, but they need to find people who
are right for the parts, but they also have to be musicians who can
play the instruments appropriate to their role. It's sort of a puzzle
and the casting is putting everything together so it works.“
For all the challenges, the show remains rewarding for Hayden. “I'm
personally a huge fan of Buddy Holly, and of everything he ahs done
for rock music, but it's great to see audiences fall in love with it
too. You get to see people get re-interested in this music they may
not listen too, and they get to see how awesome the music is.“
Other rewards include the atmosphere among the actors. “Almost every
single principal actor is back here from the last run, and some of us
do the show together at other times as well,“ Hayden said. ”It's
almost like the rock band spirit, we're going around playing these
characters together, the location may change, but we all know each
other.“
Even people who may not be interested in the music of Buddy Holly can
appreciate the show. “One of the important things is that Buddy
revolutionized music,“ said Croiter. ”He was the first person to
record over his own voice on a song, and now double tracking is done
by everyone. He was also the first to use the setup of 2 guitars, a
bass and drums, which is now the industry standard for a band.“
Beyond that, the story, which goes from excitement and adventure to
the well known tragedy of Holly's death, can appeal to anyone who
loves a story. Croiter explains, “The show is fantastic. And if you
aren't a musical lover, then this is the musical for you.“
If you go
What: “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6861 E. Lake Road, Owasco
When: Starts 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9; show runs to Sept. 30
Cost: Tickets $33 to $37
For more info: Call 255-1785 or visit www.merry-go-round.com
“Buddy” will be performed at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse starting Wednesday, Sept. 9.
“This show is unlike other music-based plays,” said Michael Croiter, musical director for Merry-Go-Round's production of the show.
“It is biographical and the music is played in that context. It isn't like other shows that take the music of an artist and then mold a story to the music. Here, the story is Buddy Holly.”
First performed in London in 1990, “Buddy” became one of the first musicals based on the works of a recording artist. While later shows such as the Abba inspired “Mamma Mia” and “Movin' Out,” based on the music of Billy Joel, became hits on Broadway, “Buddy” did not fare well when it came to the United States.
“A lot of people blame the lack of success on the fact that it opened on Broadway just days before the Gulf War started,” said Croiter. “And there are also more fans of Buddy Holly in the U.K. than there are here.”
Despite disappointment in New York City, the show continues to do well on tours and in regional theaters such as Merry-Go-Round. Croiter attributes that to the fact that there is more to the show than the iconic music. “This is a really good story, it has everything in it that people want, from romance to excitement.”
One of the defining aspects of the show is how it utilizes the music of Buddy Holly. Erik Hayden, who is reprising the role of Buddy Holly from several performances, including Merry-Go-Rounds 2006 production,
explains, “This is very different from a traditional musical. Rather
than use the music to advance the plot, it is a play about a rock
artist with rock music in it as appropriate.“
Hayden, originally a musician, appreciates the role for many reasons,
one of which is that the music is all live. “We are really up there
playing the instruments. You have all the aspects of a play and a
rock show.“
The live music in the production leads to unique challenges for the
cast and crew. “I have to have a lot of stamina,” Hayden said. “In
addition to acting, I have something like 20 songs I have to sing,
rock songs that I have to sing over the guitars, the drums, the amps.
There's also the technical aspect of it, and the casting. Luckily I
don't have to worry about that part, but they need to find people who
are right for the parts, but they also have to be musicians who can
play the instruments appropriate to their role. It's sort of a puzzle
and the casting is putting everything together so it works.“
For all the challenges, the show remains rewarding for Hayden. “I'm
personally a huge fan of Buddy Holly, and of everything he ahs done
for rock music, but it's great to see audiences fall in love with it
too. You get to see people get re-interested in this music they may
not listen too, and they get to see how awesome the music is.“
Other rewards include the atmosphere among the actors. “Almost every
single principal actor is back here from the last run, and some of us
do the show together at other times as well,“ Hayden said. ”It's
almost like the rock band spirit, we're going around playing these
characters together, the location may change, but we all know each
other.“
Even people who may not be interested in the music of Buddy Holly can
appreciate the show. “One of the important things is that Buddy
revolutionized music,“ said Croiter. ”He was the first person to
record over his own voice on a song, and now double tracking is done
by everyone. He was also the first to use the setup of 2 guitars, a
bass and drums, which is now the industry standard for a band.“
Beyond that, the story, which goes from excitement and adventure to
the well known tragedy of Holly's death, can appeal to anyone who
loves a story. Croiter explains, “The show is fantastic. And if you
aren't a musical lover, then this is the musical for you.“
If you go
What: “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, 6861 E. Lake Road, Owasco
When: Starts 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9; show runs to Sept. 30
Cost: Tickets $33 to $37
For more info: Call 255-1785 or visit www.merry-go-round.com
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