The Buddy Holly Story
Born: Charles Hardin Holley (Buddy changed it to Holly when on an ad it was misspelled and he kept that version)
Director: Excellent Choice in Primary Cast and ensemble crew. Production depicted the era changes
with decent accuracy as well as showing the steadfastness of Buddy character. (Stubborn)
The stage set was cleverly created to allow for quick and graphic settings from stages to sound studios giving the audience a true flare for the nuances of show biz back then. i.e. dated props, reel to reel recorders. Big microphones for vocalist. A radio sound booth for radio announcer "HiPockets Duncan" was a special touch.
Kudos to the key actors for their musical renditions of Holly selections. Acting was a bit weak, but the music
made up for it. Fade out left a bit to be desired as the audience
was introduced to four bars of a song (piped-in) then black out. I
found this particularly strange since during the second act the
audience was presented with a full band with sax, trumpet, trombone,
keyboard, guitar bass and drummer. First half of show brought to
forefront Vi Petty played by MJ Jurgensen, whose almost off-stage
gyrations brought the house down while Holly and the Crickets audition
for her husband Norman Petty Played by Michael Misko.
The
second half ensembles and individual vocalist and sketches really
awakened the audience (Mostly Senior seniors). Most notably was the song and dance routine by Keith Beverly (Apollo Performer) and Michael Misko's depiction of the Big Bopper.
The
ensemble choreography and backup singers added polish in the second
half's larger group numbers. The climactic ending was most
memorable as the audience was invited to stand and clap-along, gyrate,
snap fingers, and toe-tap to the medley of finale tunes.
Last, but
not least is a special mention of the young talented rock drummer "baby
face" Joaquin David. reminded me of the fast hands that made Gene Krupa
famous.
All and all a fine presentation of a rock and roll icon of the 50's along with those of Richie Valens and the Big Bopper.
Jimmy (Sticks) Valencia
