Arvada Center Presents Buddy...The Buddy Holly Story

Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story
The Man…The Music…The Legend

Written by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson
Directed by Rod A. Lansberry

Cast: Eddie Clendening (Buddy), Stephn Bertles (Radio DJ/Ensemble), Jason L. Curry (Apollo MC), Luke Darnell (Joe B. Mauldin), Dana Dawson (Apollo Singer), Ryan G. Dunkin (Big Bopper), Drew Frady (Hipockets/US Big Bopper), Rochelle Gallup (Vi Petty), Tanja Lynne Lee (Apollo Singer), Reece Livingstone (Norm Petty), Jason Maniscalco (Tommy/US Buddy), Maegan McConnell (Maria Elena), David Nehls (MC/US Murray), Peter Previti (Ritchie Valens), Rob Reynolds (Murray/US Joe, Jerry), John Rochette (Jerry Allison), Kitty Skillman-Hilsabeck (Dance Captain/Ensemble), Jeremy Sortore (Apollo DJ), Shannan Steele (Shirley/Ensemble), Rachel Turner (Mary Lou Sokolof)

Production Staff: Rod A. Lansberry (Director/Artistic Producer), Kitty Skillman-Hilsabeck (Choreographer), David Nehls (Musical Director), Brian Mallgrave (Set Designer), Steve Stevens (Sound Designer), Gail Gober (Lighting Designer), Nicole M. Harrison (Costume Designer), Lisa Kurtz (Stage Manager), Lisa Cook (Assistant Stage Manager), Lisa Hoffman (Assitant to the Director), Keith Ewer (Assistant to the Musical Director), Adam Stolte (Technical Manager), Nick Cimyotte (Technical Director), Dave Cimyotte (Lead Technician), Jon Olson (Master Electrician), Grant Evenson (Lead Sound Technician), Elizabeth Harris (Head of Wardrobe), Kathleen Murphy (Business Manager)

Arvada, CO – The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities presents Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story, running July 8 – August 3, 2008 in the Main Stage Theater.

Before the Beatles, before Elvis, there was Buddy Holly. This award-winning, rockin'-boppin' musical revives the 1950's icon who defined the future of rock-and-roll. In an electrifying musical celebration, two of Holly's unforgettable performances are recreated: the Crickets' appearance at the Apollo Theatre and his final concert with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The show also features Buddy's classic songs, including "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day," "Oh Boy" and "Not Fade Away," plus Richie Valens' "La Bamba" and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace." Audiences of all ages will find "It's So Easy" to fall in love with Buddy.

Written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson, Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story opened on London's West End in 1989, where it ran for over 12 years, and is still going strong around the world. Over 20 million people in over 1,600 performances worldwide have witnessed the musical, including on Broadway and throughout the U.S. and Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, South Africa and Scandinavia. London's West End staged a revival in 2007, where it continues to run.

Perfect entertainment this summer at the Arvada Center, Buddy has won the praise of critics everywhere. The New York Times raves, "This show has got everything needed for a fantastic family night out – laughter, tears and a finale that will have everyone from eight to eighty dancing in the aisles!" Daily Express calls it "High-octane and infectious...A gem of a musical," and Variety exclaims, "Remarkable…It's a bona fide crowd pleaser."

Buddy is directed by Arvada Center Artistic Producer Rod A. Lansberry, who has previously directed The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, the award-winning Violet, the acclaimed production of The Women, and most recently, the award-winning La Cage aux Folles, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Thoroughly Modern Millie and both productions of the smash-hit The Full Monty.

Eddie Clendening makes his Arvada Center debut as Buddy Holly. A singer/songwriter and guitarist, Eddie has played alongside early rock 'n roll greats like Scotty Moore, Hayden Thompson, Eddie Bond, Little Richard, The Crickets and scores of others. His own band, Eddie Clendening & The Blue Ribbon Boys, has been in demand all across the U.S. as well as Europe and Asia. With several musical releases under his belt, Buddy will be his first dramatic stage role.

Luke Darnell also debuts at the Arvada Center, as Joe B. Mauldin, after recently playing the role in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Regional credits include Oliver!, Smoke On The Mountain, Midsummer Night's Dream and Jesus Christ Superstar. TV credits include Ghost Whisperer, General Hospital and Air America. Luke has also been seen in several films, including Alien Agent, Chupacabra: Dark Seas (SciFi), Scorpio One (SciFi) and Crash Dive (HBO).

Drew Frady returns to the Arvada Center as Hipockets, after last being seen in La Cage Aux Folles and The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Other recent local credits include NEWSical, The Musical and OFFice Broadway at the Denver Civic Theatre.

Reese Livingstone plays Norman Petty. A produced screenwriter, director and member of SAG and AFTRA since 1988, Reese appeared in HBO's Vietnam War Story, PBS' Tales From The Hollywood Hills, General Hospital and Home Improvement. Favorite stage roles include Company, Kiss Me Kate, The Pirates of Penzance and South Pacific.

Jason Maniscalco makes his Arvada Center debut as Tommy. Off-Broadway credits include Lifegame and the National Tour of Fame. Regional credits include Grease, Forever Plaid, The 1940's Radio Hour and Joseph...

Rob Reynolds plays Murray, after last being seen at the Center in La Cage aux Folles. New York Credits include Candide, George M!, Unabound and Another Tomorrow. Regional favorites include Crazy for You, Singin' in the Rain, Kiss Me Kate and Guys and Dolls.

John Rochette plays Jerry Allison. Favorite credits include Take Me Out, Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd and center Blue Man in NY's Blue Man Group, and TV credits include Rescue Me, Guiding Light, One Life to Live and All My Children.

TICKET INFORMATION:
For tickets, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200, log on to arvadacenter.org or visit the Arvada Center box office at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO.

Prices start at $38 (preview performance tickets are $25).

PERFORMANCES:
July 8 – August 3, 2008
Tuesday – Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees at 1:00 p.m.
Preview performances run July 5 & 6 at 7:30 p.m.

OFF STAGE EVENTS & SPECIAL FEATURES:
Celebrate summer at one or all three of our pre-show events on the outdoor Amphitheater Patio, complete with a dinner featuring Bennett's Bar-B-Que: succulent brisket, tender chicken, fabulous ribs and all the fixins, plus dessert. Wash it all down with ice cold lemonade, refreshing ice tea, domestic beer or wine. As always, your first drink is on us! Space is limited, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 to make your reservations.

Friday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m.—FIRST FRIDAY! Call by July 8 to reserve your place.

Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m.—WOMEN'S NIGHT OUT! Call by July 11 to reserve your place.

Friday, August 1 at 6:00 p.m.—FINAL FRIDAY! Call by July 29 to reserve your place.


Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. & Wednesday, July 23 at 1:00 p.m.—INSIDER'S TALK BACK—Talk back with members of the cast and production team following the performance and have a drink on us.

Saturday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m.—Audio-described performance, to accommodate patrons who are blind or have low vision.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the metro area's largest cultural attractions, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). For more information, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org. Discover the Arvada Center this summer and find theater, music, art, poetry, dance, comedy and lots of family fun!

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