The show runs Feb. 8-March 3 and commemorates the 60th anniversary of ‘The Day the Music Died’
The Times
Bucks County Playhouse is presenting for the third time its signature production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning Friday, Feb. 8 and running until Sunday, March 3. The show will once again be directed by Hunter Foster (BCP’s Million Dollar Quartet).
In celebration of Buddy Holly’s local connection, BCP is hosting Bandstand Day on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the 2 p.m. performance. Two area American Bandstand regulars, Ray Smith and Arlene Sullivan, will be joined by fellow local members to recognize Holly’s appearance on Bandstand in Philadelphia.
Andy Christopher, who has performed the role in multiple productions across the country, including the 25th anniversary tour, will play Holly. This production will see the return of Brandi Chavonne Massey (Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Apollo Performer, Gilbert D. Sanchez (Off Broadway’s Showgirls the Musical) as Ritchie Valens, Maximilian Sangerman (The Lightning Thief) as Tommy Allsupp, Zach Cossman (BCP’s Rocky: The Rocky Horror Show) as Jerry Allison, Sky Seals (Johnny Cash in BCP’s Million Dollar Quartet) and Natalie Grace Ortega as Maria Elena.
Making their BCP debuts are Matt Cusack (Broadway’s Bandstand) as Joe B. Mauldin, Adam McDowell (Suessical) as The Big Bopper, Brittany Brook as Vi Petty, and Ryan Halsaver as Hipockets Duncan.
“Audiences really embraced Buddy in both 2016 and 2017, so we have decided to bring the production back one more time,” said producer Stephen Kocis. “February 3, 2019 commemorates the 60th anniversary of ‘The Day the Music Died’ — the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, the ‘Big Bopper’ and Ritchie Valens. So we believe there is no better time to honor the music and legacy of these great rock n’ roll legends with Hunter Foster’s energetic production of Buddy.”
From his meteoric rise to fame in 1957 through his tragic death less than two years later, Holly influenced modern music like no other performer of his generation. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story features more than 20 of his greatest hits including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” and more.
The production will play the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 2 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. The opening performance is Sunday, Feb .10 at 2 p.m.
Tickets start at $65. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For full details and to purchase tickets, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215–862–2121, or visit the box office at 70 S. Main St., New Hope.
