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Home » Features » Theatre Reviews » 2’s Review: Buddy Holly roars back to life at Florida Rep
by Dave Elias — 12:01 PM EDT, Wed March 23, 2022
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Buddy Holly had an all too short musical career but those of us who missed it are getting a second chance to see his musical talents brought back to life in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at The Florida Repertory Theatre.
Actor Michael Perrie, Jr. is outstanding as Holly and not only does he look like him with the signature thick rimmed glasses,HOME NEWS VAX FACTS WEATHER NEWSLINKS TRAFFIC FEATURES JOBS & RECRUITING but his vocals are astounding and he never misses a beat or breaks character for a fraction of a second as he has mastered the character in this jukebox musical filled with iconic hits we all have an emotional connection to. Perrie has masterfully crafted Holly’s unique singing style which was characterized by his vocal hiccups and his alteration between his regular voice and falsetto that created his stutter vocals which were complemented by his percussive guitar playing. The show is a never ending stream of songs like “Peggy Sue”, “That’ll Be The Day” and “Send Me Some Lovin” to name only a few as the 11 member cast fills a number of roles but also serves as the live band playing electric guitars, piano, and bass. The show undoubtedly transports you back to the 1950s when Buddy Holly and The Crickets were bound to play music their way in a high energy performance with actors Matt Cusack who plays Bass player Joe Mauldin, and Noah Berry who plays Jerry Allison on drums to round out the trio.
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However the talent doesn’t stop there as the show is packed with an equally talented ensemble cast including actress Samantha Sayah who plays Holly’s wife Maria Elena and several other characters, Merritt David Janes showed his diversity by playing several characters too including Big Bopper and Armando Gutierrez has a high energy performance as Ritchie Valens who performs “La Bamba”.
It’s a tip of the hat production that Director Jason Parrish and Choreographer Amy Marie McCleary can be proud of.
The story begins with Holly’s quest and determination to make it in the rock industry despite his shift as a country artist with Decca Records. The Texas boy eventually travels to New Mexico to break into the rock industry and soon he’s traveling the country as he eventually meets his wife and sees his fame continue to grow.
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Advertisement The second act of the show centers primarily on Holly’s Winter Dance Party Tour with Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens and their final performance in Lake City, Iowa before their chartered plane crashed shortly after takeoff during a snowstorm on February 3, 1959.
The concert ends with breaking news heard on the radio informing the public of the tragic accident that claimed all three rock icons as the spotlight fades on each of the three actors who are frozen in time.
You could hear a pin drop in the theater.
The action packed concert however continues with an active audience encouraged to participate in several of the songs.
A special mention must be given to actor Garrick Vaughan who plays Tyrone and others but his performance of “Shout” alongside Veronica Stern was a crowd pleaser along with the finale performance of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode”.
Even if you’re not a 50s rock fan this show will convert you!
It comes highly recommended if you’re looking for a good time that offers a lot of hits and will bring a lot of smiles and the opening night performance had the audience jumping to their feet in a rousing standing ovation pleading with actors for a few more songs before exiting.
ARTS COMMENTARY
March23,2022 Nancy STETSON nstetson@oridaweekly.com
“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” plays at Florida Rep through April 13. JOE DAFELDECKER /FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE
Wow!
I’ve seen other productions of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” before, but none like the one playing at the Florida Repertory Theatre’s main stage.
It’s fresh.
It’s exciting and inciting.
And it’s almost like being present at the birth of early rock ’n’ roll, though, to be truthful, there were many births of early rock, including Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats’ 1951 recording of “Rocket 88,” considered by some to be the rst rock song. (The Delta Cats were actually Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm.)
But no one can deny the inuence Buddy Holly had on rock ’n’ roll. (The Beatles covered his music and named their band in honor of The Crickets.)
A young singer/songwriter/musician from Lubbock, Texas, Buddy Holly didn’t want to be just another country star. He had a vision for the music he wanted to create.
But others in the industry just wanted to stick him in the country music box and seal the lid.
Early in this jukebox musical we see Buddy and the Crickets perform live on radio at KDAV in their hometown. They start out with a slow country song but then suddenly slam into “Ready Teddy. ”
(A few decades later in 1977, Elvis Costello, looking very Buddy Holly-ish, famously did the same thing on “Saturday Night Live” when he and his band started out playing “Less Than Zero.” A few notes in, he stopped the
Michael Perrie Jr., is a totally convincing Buddy: gawky and geeky, with a winsome personality. And he sounds like him too, with his deep tones, high notes and hiccupping way of singing.
He looks as if he’s about to go to algebra class, not set the world on re musically. (He is told at one point that he has as much sex appeal as a telephone pole.)
Buddy is backed by Noah Berry on drums, Armando Gutierrez on guitar and Matt Cusack (also the show’s music director) on stand-up bass.
They make sonic magic. Song after song, the quartet produces that about-to-y-off-the-rails barely contained energy of early rock ’n’ roll. These guys don’t hold back.
Decca Records didn’t know what to do with them, but Norman Petty (Merritt David Janes, in one of his many roles), a record producer of NorVaJack Records in Clovis, New Mexico, does. He lets them loose in the studio, and Buddy creates the songs that will become classics: “That’ll Be the Day,” “Every Day.” They perform them with unrestrained joy.
Petty signs them to his label, and, in one of his rst acts as their manager, screws them over by declaring he’ll get writing credit on the songs. It’s just another way of squeezing money out of the band, who, in their youthful eagerness to have their music heard, compromise way too much.
“Buddy” tells the story of a brief musical career that ended tragically when the performer was killed in a plane crash at 22. It cleverly gives us scenes in radio stations, recording studios and stages to present us with pure performances. We’re given a humorous scene at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, when Buddy Holly and the Crickets became the rst white act to play at the venue.
The end of the show, set at the Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake, Iowa, becomes one big raucous concert, with Mr. Janes as the Big Bopper and Mr. Gutierrez as Ritchie Valens. By this time, the audience is on its feet, singing and clapping along.
Director Jason Parrish has put together what may be one of the most perfect musical productions at Florida Rep.
But “Buddy” is fun and exhilarating.
Three other actors round out the cast, playing a variety of roles: Samantha Sayah, Veronica Stern and Garrick Vaughan. Ms. Sayah portrays Buddy’s wife, Maria Elena, as well as Norman Petty’s wife, Vi (which you suspect must be short for vivacious.) Ms. Stern shows great range, performing a killer rendition of “Shout” with Mr. Vaughan on saxophone, then in Act II singing “The Star Spangled Banner” as a pageant queen. Mr. Vaughan plays a variety of instruments, including, at one point, spoons.
The two women harmonize on live radio commercials, singing of the joy of tractor oil.
Patrons should come early, as there appears to be a pre-show, with the cast performing a few numbers for their invisible radio audience.
Everything in this show is pitch-perfect, not only musically, but theatrically.
The sound is clear and balanced (Adam Trummel), the costumes fun and sparkly (Stefanie Genda) and the set (Bert Scott) feels like stepping back into the 1950s.
The actors are all so skilled musically, switching instruments and proving procient on each one. And they have the lightest of touch with their characters.
I confess I wasn’t expecting to enjoy “Buddy” quite as much as I did.
But wow, this cast really blows the roof off the place.
There’s a big party going on down at Florida Rep. It would be a shame if you missed it. ¦
In the KNOW
“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story”
» When: through April 13
» Where: Florida Repertory Theatre
at the Historic Arcade Theatre, Bay
St. between Hendry and Jackson,
downtown Fort Myers
» Cost: $69
» Information: 239-332-4488
BWW Review: BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY at Florida Repertory Theatre
Now playing in the Historic Arcade Theatre!
by Elizabeth James Mar. 29, 2022
Directed by Florida Rep's Associate Artistic Director, Jason Parrish, Florida Repertory Theatre's production of BUDDY: THE Buddy Holly STORY tells the story of the iconic rock 'n' roll sensation, Buddy Holly, and how he changed the face of popular music sixty years ago.
Michael Perrie, Jr. plays Buddy Holly, and he is spectacular. He has incredible vocal talent and is a fantastic actor, truly bringing Buddy Holly back to life with his performance. Alongside Perrie, the cast includes Noah Berry as Jerry Allison/Drums, Matt Cusack as Joe B. Mauldin/Bass, Armando Gutierrez as Ritchie Valens & Others, Merritt David Janes as Hipockets, Big Bopper, & Others, Samantha Sayeh as Maria Elena & Others, Veronica Stern as Marlena & Others, and Garrick Vaughan as Tyrone & Others. This is a phenomenal, talented, fun cast. Each and every one of them have shining moments in this production, and I was thoroughly impressed how each cast member played multiple instruments throughout the show. Since many of them play multiple characters, I imagine it was a challenge to make them all distinct, but they all did a great job of doing so. They seem to be having a lot of fun with each other on stage, and that energy is infectious.
Alongside direction by Jason Parrish, the creative team includes Matt Cusack as the Musical Director, Bert Scott as the Set Designer, Amy Marie McCleary as the Choreographer, Stefanie Genda as the Costume Designer, Julie Duro as the Lighting Designer, Adam Trummel as the Sound Designer, Ruth E. Kramer as the Stage Manager, and Sarah Goshman as the Assistant Stage Manager. This is such a lively show, featuring stunning costumes, a colorful stage, and many more details that bring the production together. Each creative team member did great work in making this production so wonderful.
Florida Rep says that BUDDY will have you "dancing in the aisles," and correct they are. There is audience participation involved during a point in the show, and the whole audience is itching to get to their feet by that point. The show is full of well-known songs like "Everyday," "That'll Be The Day," "Peggy Sue," "La Bamba," "Shout," and more. Though it holds some bittersweet, serious moments throughout, the show has lots of energy and fun, and it is no surprise that audiences are loving it as much as I did.
Get your tickets before they sell out! BUDDY is playing now through April 13 at Florida Rep. For more information and to buy tickets, click here:
https://www.floridarep.org/theseason/buddy-the-buddy-hollystory/
Photo Credit: Joe Dafeldecker
