The Legacy Theatre opens Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story Friday, April 14. The hit production will run until May 14, 2023.
This sensational musical follows the ups and downs of Holly’s ‘budding’ musical career as he strives to fulfill his potential genius. The heart-warming tale of a small-town all-American boy is told with care, detail, and humor. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story finally explodes into a celebration of youth and lust for life in a re-creation of his last concert at Clear Lake and The Legacy Theatre’s musicians and actors perform Buddy Holly’s music with youth, joy, and boundless enthusiasm.
The production is directed by Mark Smith, the Legacy’s Artistic Director. “This show is so much fun,” says Smith. “The audience gets to enjoy the story of Buddy Holly, but also experience his final concert as if there were right there. Buddy has been a huge hit around the world, and our audiences loved it so much in 2016, we can’t wait to bring it back here to Fayette County.”
Spiff Wiegand will lead the music as band director, and CBD is vocal director for this production. Legacy’s Executive producer, and co-owner, Bethany Hayes Smith will choreograph.
Ross Griffin returns to Legacy in the title role, after playing Jerry Lee Lewis in Legacy’s Million Dollar Quartet in 2018. Griffin is thrilled to play another Rock and Roll icon, and states “Buddy’s story reminds us all that we cannot always rely on tomorrow, so tell someone you love them today.” Khalid Rivera makes his Legacy debut as ‘La Bamba’ singer, Ritchie Valens, and Paul Gourdeau returns to the Legacy stage to reprise his 2016 role as The Big Bopper. The cast also includes actors and musicians Ryan Bagby, Daniel Burns, Brody Harlan, Kevin Hebblethwaite, Christie Lamb, Evan McLean, Cristina Mariano, Aly Olvera, Akia Sembley, Darrin Smith, and Richard Smith.
“Buddy Holly was an inspiration and influence on so many people,” says Executive Producer Bethany Smith, “from the Beatles and Bob Dylan to Eric Clapton. It’s so much fun to bring his music to the stage and I know our audiences are going to have a great time.” Buddy features two hours of hit songs including ‘That’ll Be The Day’, ‘Oh Boy’, ‘Rave On’, ‘La Bamba’, ‘Chantilly Lace’, ‘Raining In My Heart’, ‘Everyday’, ‘Shout’ and more.
Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story plays April 14 through May 14 with performances Fridays & Saturdays at 7 pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $30-$45 and can be purchased online at www.thelegacytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 404-895-1473. The Legacy Theatre is located at 1175 Senoia Rd. in Tyrone, GA.
