|
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
By Alan James & Rob Bettison
Directed & Choreographed by Tammy Mader
Music Direction & Reorchestrations By Malcolm Ruhl
At Drury Lane Water Tower Place
175 E. Chestnut
Chicago, IL
Call 312-642-2000, tickets $40 - $45 - $50 - $55
Wednesdays at 2 & 7:30 pm
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8:00 pm
Saturdays at 2 & 8:00 pm
Sundays at 2 & 6 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through November 2, 2008
Toe-tapping tribute to rock legend is a marvelous treat now open at Drury Lane Water Tower Place
Drury Lane Theatre is smart to remount their highly successful “Buddy” The Buddy Holly Story” in Chicago at their beautiful Michigan Avenue venue. The cast is mostly intact with the exception of Alan Schmuckler replacing Michael Mahler as Tommy: the acoustic and electric guitar player. This show rocks nicely and sure will be a hit with the Chicago audiences. Below is my review of the summer production at Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. Nothing has changed here except the venue. It is still a “Highly Recommended” show. Date Re-reviewed: September 19, 2008 Tom Williams
Armed with a fabulous sounding new audio system, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre continues their fine production qualities with a most energetic and musically magnificent tribute to an early rock legend—Buddy Holly. This production allows many members of the cast to play their own instruments including Rick Pickren on acoustic guitar, Bernie Yvon on the alto saxophone, Alan Schmulker on guitar, acoustic guitar and electric guitar; Cody Siragusa playing upright bass; Greg Hirte on fiddle; Jim Barclay on drums; Jennifer Loftus on piano, celeste and keyboard with Justin Berkobien, as Buddy Holly playing an American Standard Stratocaster.
 |
“The Buddy Holly” show belongs to the talents and charisma of Justin Berkobien as the tall, nerdy rock star. Berkobien sings marvelously and has enough acting chops to establish Holly’s stubbornness and his perfectionist character when composing. Berkobien’s infectious smile together with his silky smooth voice channels Buddy Holly. Justin Berkobien was born to play Buddy Holly! He anchors a terrific cast.
 |
This pleasant show is an ode to the determination of the Lubbock, Texas native to move from Country & Western to rock music. Buddy Holly’s unique music revolutionized America in 1957 with its manic rhythms and danceable beat. With his trademark black rimed glasses Buddy Holly wanted to make a statement about how a nerd can be cool. This jukebox musical is light on story but long on toe-tapping classic rock tunes. This is a fun, easy to swallow show that features a nice assortment of retro rock. We hear authentic renditions of “Ready Teddy,” “That’ll Be the Day,” Everyday,” “Maybe Baby” and the classic “Peggy Sue. Buddy is fun and lively with fine arrangements that do justice to Buddy Holly. We witness the determined creative vision that possessed Holly. He never wavered from his inter voice. In his short 18 month career, Buddy Holly revolutionized rock n’ roll. His tunes still resonate today as the audience on opening night clapper, cheered and toe-tapped throughout. Buddy at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem gives us a taste of Black soul music as the audiences cheer the white Texas boys.
Act two rolls out as a road show featuring The Big Bopper’s (Casy Campbell) “Chantilly Lace” as well as Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba.” This road show features horns, saxs and piano in a full orchestra up tempo rock’n musical treat. Holly, Valens and the Bog Bopper were killed in February, 1959. The music lives on in this slick, polished and tune-full show. It has played worldwide to more than 20 million people on tour and it ran for 12 years since it opened in London in 1989. Tammy Mader’s high energy and tight staging gives these early rockers space to thrill us with their music. This is a fun night of nostalgia for many and an introduction to classic rock for teens. Music did have a beat and rhythm, even rock music!
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Re-reviewed September 19, 2008
|
