August 28 - September 14, 2013
in Bellport

Dan's Papers - Sept. 10, 2013

'Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story' Delights at Gateway
BY GENEVIEVE HORSBURGH

          There are many reasons I love musical theater, all of which come together in the final knockout show of Gateway’s summer season, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. First, I love music, and Buddy Holly the man was a musical genius. Second, I love how musical theater can bring people together, despite our differences. Music is a universal language, and to relive the short but exceptional musical career of Buddy Holly is an experience I urge you all to share.
          We first meet Buddy Holly in early 1956, at a roller rink in Lubbock, Texas, where he and his buddies, The Crickets, perform their mix of country turned rock ‘n’ roll. Back then rock ‘n’ roll wasn’t well received in white neighborhoods. Although Buddy and The Crickets faced tough opposition, Buddy’s unfailing determination to play his music, his way, paved the road for himself and musicians like Paul McCartney, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen.
          Kurt Jenkins as Buddy Holly is completely convincing, right down to his geeky-but-sexy dance moves. His floppy black hair and signature black-rimmed glasses complete the look. The exuberance and lust for life that the real Buddy Holly must have had vibrates from Jenkins, and he captures the audience almost immediately, making us all emotionally invested in the story unfolding before us.
          After Buddy and The Crickets left Decca Records, the first label to offer Buddy a recording contract, they moved on to Norvajak Studios, where they met Norm and Vi Petty. Norm would become Buddy’s first manager, and some of Buddy’s best and well-known hits—including, “That’ll Be the Day,” “Everyday” and “Peggy Sue,” were recorded in Norm’s small studio in Clovis, New Mexico.
          Buddy Holly and The Crickets were also the first white performers to take the stage in Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater. After a rousing rendition of “Shout” sung by the talented Kimberly Michelle Thomas, Buddy and The Crickets take the stage and the crowd loves them and their songs “Not Fade Away,” “Words of Love” and “Oh Boy.” Buddy’s romance with Maria Elena Santiago began with a chance meeting, where Buddy almost instantly claimed “I’m going to marry that girl.” Marry her he did, and their tumultuous romance ultimately resulted in the demise of The Crickets. Buddy and Maria Elena moved to New York where Buddy thought he would continue to advance his career. Because of financial problems, Buddy decided to join a three-week tour across the Midwest, much to Maria Elena’s despair. She pleaded with him not to go, as she was early in her pregnancy and had been having horrific dreams of tragic events.
          “The day the music died” was February 3, 1959, when 22-year-old Buddy Holly perished in a plane crash in a winter storm in Iowa, along with his friends and music legends 17-year-old Richie Valens and 28-year-old J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. A stirring rendition of “American Pie,” which Don McLean released in 1971 as a tribute to Buddy Holly, might just bring tears to your eyes as you realize the enormity of what the music industry lost that fateful day over 50 years ago. I know I’ll never hear that song again and not think of this show and the compelling story of Buddy Holly.
          Buddy’s greatest wish was that rock ‘n’ roll would never die, and the cast ends the show with a finale that will have you on your feet dancing along with the unforgettable lyrics of a legend that was taken too soon.


Read the original article at: http://danspapers.com/2013/09/buddy-the-buddy-holly-story-delights-at-gateway/
 

Newsday - Sept. 5, 2013

'Buddy' review; Buddy Holly Lives
BY STEVE PARKS

          If you want to know who to credit -- or blame -- for the "jukebox musical" look no further than "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story." Author Alan Janes created the template with his 1989 London hit that opened on Broadway a year later. The now-familiar format eliminates the need for an original score. Just acquire rights to songs by, for instance, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in the case of "Jersey Boys."
          As Gateway Playhouse's season closer, "Buddy" will have you wishing summer would never end. Sounding surprisingly fresh nearly 55 years later, Holly's songs rock the Bellport barn theater to its rafters with the urgency of a soaring talent who knows, somehow, that he'll die young.
          Kurt Jenkins as bespectacled Buddy twitches with impatience. Holly's willfulness emerges from the opening notes of "That'll Be the Day," as he and the Crickets defy their Lubbock, Texas, hometown DJ by playing rock and roll -- considered "colored music" at the time, instead of country. That also explains why the Crickets were assumed by Harlem's Apollo Theatre management to be black -- until they show up and wow the audience, as well as the torch singer (Kimberly Michelle Thomas) and sax player (Troy Valjean Rucker) with "Not Fade Away," "Peggy Sue" and "Oh Boy."
          "True Love Ways," Buddy's ballad for the receptionist he proposes to on their first date, sweeps Nikki Arnone off her feet. The romance breaks up the Crickets and Buddy is a solo act when he appears at Clear Lake, Iowa, on Feb. 3, 1959.
          He's joined by the Big Bopper -- Jayson Elliot bellows "Chantilly Lace" with unrestrained glee -- and Ritchie Valens -- resurrected by Xavier Cano with hip-grinding authenticity on "La Bamba."
          Hours later, they'll die in a plane crash. Drummer Kyle Lacy, bassist Sam Weber and guitarist Matthew Riordan back up Jenkins on guitar and vocals. Under Jason Cohen's musical supervision, they're a hot band after starting out tentatively -- presumably in character as a young ensemble just learning new tunes Buddy has laid on them.
          Director-choreographer DJ Salisbury keeps the concert scenes from growing static on Robert Andrew Kovach's '50s-accented set.
          But most remarkable is the tragic realization that Buddy Holly was 22 when he died -- barely 18 months after signing his first recording contract. Indeed, the music died that night. Imagine the songs we'll never hear.

Read the original article at: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/buddy-review-buddy-holly-lives-1.6005174
 

Community Journal - Sept. 5, 2013

"Buddy" at Gateway is Beyond Fantastic!
BY BERNADETTE SMITH BUDD

          The Buddy Holly Story, “Buddy” is at Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, now through September 14. It is fantastic fun! The cast invites audience participation in a singalong, clap-your-hands good time. It is age appropriate from pre-school to senior and everyone in-between. Set in the late 1950’s, “Buddy” recounts the life of Charles Hardin “Buddy” Holly, who died in a tragic small plane crash in Iowa in 1959 at the age of 22.
          With him in the crash were fellow musicians 17-year old Richie Valens (“LaBamba”) and 29-year old The Big Bopper, J.P. Richardson, (“Chantilly Lace”) and pilot Roger Peterson. Valens’ recording career lasted only 8 months.
          Both Valens and The Big Booper are energetically portrayed in Act II by Xavian Cano and Jayson David Elliott, respectively. Their music, enthusiasm and personalities spill over into the audience; the Big Booper may even ask you to get up and dance with him in the aisles.
          Kurt Jenkins IS “Buddy,” - an excellent guitarist and singer who also writes original music, Jenkins has recently concluded the 25th Anniversary Tour of “Buddy.” He will reprise his “Buddy” later this year at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse.
          Jenkins/Holly, is joined by his very talented band (the drummer, Kyle Lacy is fantastic, as it the bass fiddler and guitarists Jerry Allison, Same Weber Joe B. Maudlin) who are amazing). Holly and his band,“The Crickets,” begin their careers in Lubbock, Texas. The music of Buddy Holly merged bluegrass, blues, rockabilly and early rock ‘n roll into a signature sound that has influenced artists as varied at Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Kirk Hammett (Metallica).
          Over 20 of Buddy Holly’s most well-known and loved songs fill the show. Audience is found clapping, even singing, to the words and beats of “Peggy Sue,” “That Will Be the Day,” “Heartbeat,” Maybe Baby,” “Oh Boy,” and “Everyday.”
          Call Gateway, you will discover a diamond, if you have never been there. “Buddy” is the last show for the season, and you will thank the Community Journalfor urging you to get tickets. It is an easy drive and matinees are on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with performances SIX nights a week.
          Call over to Bellport (quaint village, cute restaurants) and reserve your tickets, 286- 1133; you can go online to www.gatewayplayhouse.org. And, we would appreciate it if you mention the Community Journal. Hey! one of us may even be sitting next to you in the audience!