“Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story”

**** In 1959, while I was getting ready to graduate from high school, America lost a great “Rock n’ Roll” performer in a winter plane crash. In fact, we lost two performers, cut down in their prime, Richie Valens and Buddy Holly, along with “The Big Bopper”. Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook is presenting a solid production of Alan Janes’ “Buddy -The Buddy Holly Story”. Holly was 22 ( just a few years older than I was) and Valens, 17 ( my age). The music they wrote and played was the music of my generation and no one knows how many more songs they might have brought to the world of music had that accident not taken place.

The story, sharply directed by Matthew D. Carney, with a smaller than usual cast and on a very simple set, is a chronicle of Holly’s life, his music, and his thirst for success and happiness. I have seen several productions over the years, and many of the “Buddy” actors have made me feel as if I were watching it in real time ( back then). Joey Chelius, while he doesn’t have the same gawky look of Holly, has the charm, the vocal ability and the talent to pull it off, and it doesn’t take long to find yourself believing that he is indeed Buddy!

Russell Mernagh plays many roles in this production. In fact, six of them, and no two are alike. The lady sitting to my right noticed that he did all these roles during the curtain call, when she said to her husband, Where are Hipockets and the other guys? He did a great job with all of his characters, including the Big Bopper with his song “Chantilly Lace”- “Honey, you know what I want!”

Talk about musical numbers: “Everyday”, “Heartbeat”, “It”s So Easy”, “Maybe Baby”, Peggy Sue”, Peggy Sue Got Married”, “Raining In My Heart”,  and so many more. Two and a half hours ( with an intermission) of storytelling and superb rock and roll. The audience participation was amazing. Youngsters were in the aisles dancing to the beat, and none of them were even born when these songs were written. In fact, come to think of it, their mothers might not have been born when these songs were hot!

The cast of eight did the job. In addition to the amazing Chelius, and Mernagh’s six xharacters, we had Samantha Sayah as  Maria Elena Santiago Holly, Eric A. Lewis in three roles, Elliot Coe Esquivel as Valens ( a great job with “La Bamba”) and another character, Marta Bady , as several characters, and Alek Boggio and Grant Alexander Brown as musicians. A very impressive group of actors/musicians/singers that truly helped to tell this historical story. A special tip of the hat to Bady and Lewis for their “Johnny Be Good”.

I know that some of you might say, ” I have seen “Buddy” or “Buddy Holly” before. Let me explain this. A play is unique. It is LIVE and happening with an audience that can change the performance chemistry. A different stage, a different director, different actors, sound, lighting etc can change the production, so this must be treated as a new experience. Yes, you might compare it to another production you saw, but I can guarantee you will see many differences. I know that I did!

On the technical side of this production, in addition to Carney’s direction, the choreography byKenny Ingram was quite clever, As I said, there was a limited set ( Lauren Nichols) but it was quite effective. Rachel Boylan’s costumes were great, and the lighting ( Lee Fiskness) and sound (Leland Plumridge) were spot on. This is not a huge props show, but as usual, Cassy Schillo did it to perfection and I was quite impressed with  Amily Santiago’s wig and hair design. The musical director (Chuck Mead) and assistant (Ellie Kahn) brought the sounds to light, and then some. The theater was rocking.

By the way, during the curtain call, you will probably get another little show. These performers love what they do and they do it with style and class!

“Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story” will continue thru October 18th with performances as follows:

Wednesdays   1:30 p.m.

Thursdays       1:30 p.m. and &:00 p.m.

Fridays            7:00 p.m.

Saturdays       3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Sundays          2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Drury Lane is located at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace ( lots of free parking, both self and valet)

Tickets range from$85 and can be purchased at www.DruryLaneTheatre.com or by calling the box office at 630-530-0111

Dining and show packages are available.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click on “Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story”.