Character Descriptions for Buddy...The Buddy Holly Story

Character Descriptions for Buddy…The Buddy Holly Story
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

BUDDY HOLLY – Under 25. Singer/songwriter and star from Lubbock, Texas. Intelligent, charismatic, 6’ or over. Must play guitar, sing and act and have a feel for rock and roll. A serious high-energy star performance.

JOE B. MAUDLIN – Under 25. Double bass player from Lubbock, Texas. Serious, square young man with musical ability. Must be able to sing and act.

JERRY ALLISON – Under 25. Drummer from Lubbock, Texas. Good looking, irrepressible, clever and sharp with musical ability. Must be able to sing and act.

MARIA ELENA HOLLY – Under 25. Attractive. Hispanic background, classy, well-educated. Must be able to sing. Musical ability would be an advantage.


THE BIG BOPPER (a.k.a. J.P. Richardson) – Former DJ. Texan with an irrepressible, larger-than-life character. 6’ and above. Large man, with the ability to command the stage on his own as a single performer. His key song is “Chantilly Lace.” Must be able to act and have the ability to play guitar.


RITCHIE VALENS – Under 25. Good looking and of Hispanic background. Attractive, handsome boy with serious charisma, a dedicated eye for the ladies and the ability to hold the stage in his own right. His key song is “La Bamba.” Must be able to act and have the ability to play guitar.


HIPOCKETS DUNCAN – Under 35. Exuberant hometown radio DJ from Lubbock, Texas with an air of authority and a keen sense of humor. Must be able to sing and have the ability to play a musical instrument (double bass).

NORMAN PETTY – Under 35. Record producer from Clovis, New Mexico with a business-like manner and a love for making records. Must be able to sing and have the ability to play a musical instrument, primarily keys, also double bass (HAYRIDERS).


VI PETTY (also Snowbird) – Under 35. Wife of Norman. Heart of gold and a good sense of humor. Must be able to sing and act and have strong rock and roll and keyboards ability.


TOMMY ALSOPP (4th Cricket) – Must be able to sing and play guitar.


THE COMPANY (Lead Hayrider, Radio Engineer, Jingle Singers, DJs, Dion and the Belmonts, Shirley, Maria’s aunt, Jack Daw and the Snowbirds, Musicians at Clear Lake) – Mostly under 30. Must be able to sing and have a serious ability to play a multitude of roles and musical instruments.


APOLLO PERFORMERS (1 male, 1 female) – African American with the ability to hold the stage on their own. Key song “Party.” Must have good comic timing and be able to act.
For the male role – Ability to play a musical instrument (trombone).
For the female role – Ability to play a musical instrument is an advantage.

MURRAY DEUTCH – Must be able to play a musical instrument, primarily tenor sax, also banjo (HAYRIDERS).


DJ AT APOLLO – Must be able to play a musical instrument, primarily drums, also acoustic guitar (HAYRIDERS).


SWING MUSICIAN – Must be able to play a musical instrument, primarily trumpet, also violin (HAYRIDERS).


MARY LOU SOKOLOFF – Must be able to sing and play a musical instrument (keys).

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