August 28 - September 14, 2013
in Bellport

The Company

NIKKI ARNONE (Maria Elena/Ensemble)
is thrilled, yet again, to rejoin her beloved Buddy Holly cast! Atlanta, Georgia native and University of Oklahoma grad, Nikki’s credits include: National Tour: West Side Story (on-stage swing). Regional: Buddy (Maria Elena) at Ogunquit Playhouse and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Film: Yellow, Dir. Nick Cassavetes. Thank you to my slightly crazy but always supportive family!

 

ERICA AUBREY (Vi Petty/Frigo Jingle/Snowbird/Ensemble)
is thrilled to return to Gateway and work with such amazing people in The Buddy Holly Story. Most recently Erica covered Kelli O’Hara as the understudy for Cathy in Far From Heaven Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. Favorite credits include: Judy in 9 to 5 the Musical for Gateway Playhouse and Ogunquit Playhouse, Shelby in the 10th Anniversary production of The Spitfire Grill directed by the shows composer, James Valcq, Bobbi Michele in Last of the Red Hot Lovers for The Gas Light Theater and Edendorf Singer in Music in the Air at City Center Encores! Gratitude and love to Miles, my family and The Roster. www.ericaaubrey.com
 

JAMES BEAMAN (Hipockets Duncan/MC)
starred as Sir Robin in the First National Tour of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Off-Broadway, he originated the role of Michael in The Road To Qatar! and is featured on the Original Cast Album. Other Off-Broadway includes When Pigs Fly and Whoop-Dee-Doo! (Original Cast). Recently, James played King Frederic in the world premiere of the Broadway-bound Frog Kiss at Virginia Stage Company. He starred as Albin in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of La Cage Aux Folles opposite Maxwell Caulfield. James has performed leading and featured roles at Goodspeed Musicals, The Kennedy Center, North Shore Music Theatre, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Stages St. Louis and many others. Visit James at www.jamesbeaman.com.

 

XAVIER CANO (Ritchie Valens/Engineer/DJ/Photographer)
Broadway: Grease (Sonny LaTierri). Off-Broadway: Giant (Public Theater), RENT (NWS), Lucky Guy (Little Shubert), Freckleface Strawberry (NWS), The Capeman (Delacorte). Regional: Dames at Sea (Bay Street), Give It Up!/Lysistrata Jones (Dallas Theater Center), WSS (50th Anniversary European Tour, BSC, Fulton). U of Miami alum. Film/TV: Life of an Actress, CollegeHumor, We Are NY, Battery Park.
 

JASON COHEN ((Musical Supervisor, Interview DJ, Ensemble/u/s Jerry Allison/u/s Joe B. Mauldin)
(Musical Supervisor, Interview DJ, Ensemble/u/s Jerry Allison/u/s Joe B. Mauldin) is a recent graduate from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, BFA Drama, where he has studied at the Playwrights Horizons Theatre School, the Experimental Theatre Wing, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He has also worked as a musician, musical director, and arranger in New York, New Jersey, and London. Thanks to DJ, Dom, Michael, Paul, Tracey, and the inspiring cast and crew. Special thanks to Danny Lincoln, Carla, Mom, Dad, Gillian, family, and friends for the endless support. B”H, AYC. Upcoming: musical supervisor/performer, The Grapes of Wrath. www.Jason-Cohen.net
 

JAYSON ELLIOT (Big Bopper/Decca Producer)
(Big Bopper/Decca Producer) is happy to be making his Gateway debut and to once again be rockin’ n rollin’ alongside Buddy and Ritchie! Favorite credits include: Buddy! (Big Bopper) at Ogunquit (ME), Oklahoma Lyric (OKC), Flatrock (Asheville), New Theatre (KC), Media (Philly), Roxy (Nashville); The Full Monty (Dave); 25th... Spelling Bee (Barfee); Ave. Q (Brian); Guys & Dolls (Nicely); Wizard of Oz (Lion); Oklahoma (Jud Fry), Smoke on the Mountain (Stanley); Pump Boys...(Jim). Much Love and Many Thanks to everyone at Gateway, Stage 9 Talent, Karen, the best Mom on the planet, and most importantly YOU, for supporting live theatre! Let’s Rock n Roll!!!
 

STEVE GAGLIASTRO (Murray Deutch/Lead Hayrider/ Ensemble/u/s Hipockets Duncan)
is pleased to return to Buddy having performed in several productions, including at the Riverside Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse and the recent U.S. National Tour. Other Tours: Cinderella w/Lea Salonga, Spongebob Live! (Broadway Asia), Cabaret (NetWorks Tours); Regional: Ogunquit, Ivoryton, Gateway Playhouses, Theatre by the Sea, Barnstormers, Stoneham, Hanover Theatres. Gags, who can also be seen in the new David O. Russell film American Hustle, holds a BA in Music/Education from UMASS, Amherst. For Sonny and Alice Vizzo.
 

KURT JENKINS (Buddy Holly)
is fresh off the National Tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and is delighted to continue his journey with Buddy at The Gateway. Theatre credits include: Godspell (Jesus), The Fantasticks (Matt), Desire Under The Elms (Eben) and Bat Boy (Bat Boy). Additionally, Kurt has studied Film Production at the University of Central Florida (B.F.A.) and performs his original music under the name Skyway Spirit (www. skywayspirit.com). Kurt would like to thank his family and friends for their encouragement, patience and tough love.

 

KYLE LACY (Jerry Allison/Drums)
Gateway debut! Regional: Piano Duel (Hersheypark), Buddy Holly Story (Lyric Theatre OKC), End Days (Carpenter Square Theatre). University: Bernstein’s MASS (Street Singer), Legally Blonde (Warner). Internships: Horizon Theatre, Serenbe Playhouse. Alum of DeKalb School of the Arts and Oklahoma City University. Thanks to DJ Salisbury and the entire Gateway Playhouse creative team! For my mom and dad.

 

LINNEA LARSDOTTER (Mary Lou/ Ensemble/u/s Vi Perry)
started her performing career in Sweden, and she’s had the privilege to perform in 12 countries and 3 continents. Beside her acting career, she is also a professional folk musician. Linnea is thrilled to join the cast of Buddy, this being the first professional show she ever saw. New York credits include Xanadu, Crab House, La LLorona and Save the Robots. She is also currently filming the feature film Till We Meet Again, and is booked for 2 short films and 3 web series.
 

SCOTT MOSS (Norm Petty/ Ensemble/Bass)
Scott Moss is thrilled to be a part of this Gateway/ Ogunquit production of The Buddy Holly Story. This marks the 5th production of Buddy for him, but his debut in the role of Norman Petty, after previously playing Joe Mauldin in his last 4 productions. Favorite credits also include; Christmas Up The Holler (written by the director, DJ Salisbury), Johnny Guitar, La Traviata, Man of La Mancha, Macbeth, My Fair Lady, Fortinbras, Biloxi Blues, among many others. Many thanks to you for supporting LIVE theater! Special thanks to my good friends, family, and my wife, Dana. A special dedication to the memory of both my parents, and specifically my mom, who passed away on July 27th, 2013.
 

MATTHEW J RIORDAN (Tommy/ Ensemble/u/s Buddy Holly)
is ecstatic to join the cast of Buddy! Matthew proudly holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Pace University. He would like to thank his family, team, and friends for their love and support. Past Credits: TV: NBC’s My Kid Would Never (Lead), Off-Broadway: NYMF’S Trouble: The Musical (Chris), Smile: A New Rock Musical (Punk) Regional: Legally Blonde (Warner). Follow me on twitter! @ MatthewJRiordan
 

TROY VALJEAN RUCKER (Apollo Performer/Dance Captain/Ensemble)
Performer/Dance Captain/Ensemble) Select NY/Regional: Buddy Holly Story (Walnut Street Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse), Oklahoma! (Portland Center Stage), Zanna, Don’t!; Elegies for Angels…; 365 Days/365 Plays; Show Boat; Ragtime; South Pacific; Angels In America (PAGE Award Nomination); L’Histoire du Soldat; Babes In Toyland. National/European Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar; International Symphony Orchestra. Opera/Concerts: New York City Opera; Carnegie Hall; Lincoln Center; Kennedy Center; Aretha Franklin with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. TV/Commercials: Bio Network, History Channel, NBC, UPN, Talero Tequila, Ford Motor Company. www.TroyValjeanRucker.com
 

KIMBERLY MICHELLE THOMAS ( (LaVerne/Ensemble)
is thrilled to be part of The Buddy Holly Story. Her credits include the roles of Nina in the 1st & 2nd National Tours of ‘Swonderful, Michelle Morris in the 2013 National Tour of Dreamgirls, and Samantha in A Dance for Rylie. Kimberly trained at the Princeton Ballet School and Center Stage Dance and Theater. She is a graduate of The University of the Arts. Kimberly would like to thank her family and friends, and her agent, Ms. Lisa Price.
 

SAM WEBER (Joe Maudlin/ u/s Ritchie Valens)
Sam is thrilled to be coming to Gateway to continue rock’n as Joe B. A Wisconsin Native and proud Brooklyn transplant, he lives there with his amazing wife Brittany, ACM on Book Of Mormon. National Tours: Buddy Holly Story (Joe B.), Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo (Puppeteer). Regional Favorites: Hairspray (Link, Beef and Boards), Buddy (Joe B, Ogunquit), Les Mis (Pimp/ Prouvaire, Maine State) Thanks to my all my family, Weber and Levasseur. And to Brittany, who I always see in the back of the house :0)
 

DOUG HARRY (Lighting Designer)
is happy to be Who’s Who designing another Gateway production. His past credits here include last year’s CATS, Carousel, Miss Saigon, Scarlet Pimpernel, Ragtime, Titanic, Dracula the Rock Opera and Holiday Spectacular on Ice. Doug holds a degree in Theatre Production and Stage Management from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK. He is currently the house designer for Mohegan Sun Casino. Doug’s company DarkSide Design has also done design and programming work for General Motors, Six Flags Theme Parks and The Basketball Hall of Fame to name a few.
 

TRACEY WOOLLEY (Production Stage Manager)
is happy to be at the Gateway Playhouse and reunited with Buddy Holly. With a career spanning from Las Vegas to New York, some of her favorite credits include Blue Man Group, Cirque Du Soleil’s Mystere and The Lincoln Center 1st National Tour of South Pacific. A proud graduate of Brigham Young University and member of Actors Equity. Tracey would like to thank her family, friends and Heavenly Father who makes everything possible.
 

DJ SALISBURY (Director)
has directed and/ or choreographed for theaters nationwide that include Paper Mill Playhouse, Dallas Summer Musicals, Sacramento Music Circus, Lyric Theatre of OK, Denver Center, Ogunquit Playhouse- Maine, Riverside Theatre - Florida, Arkansas Shakespeare, and ArtsCenter Coastal Carolina. Favorite experiences directing for Gateway Playhouse: La Cage Aux Folles, The Wizard of Oz, 42nd Street, Cats, Gateway’s Holiday Spectacular of ’03, ’05 and ’08, Evita, and 1 of the 9 productions of The Will Rogers Follies that he has staged. In NYC, he has directed numerous readings and workshops including the revised The Mystery of Edwin Drood (featuring Sally Struthers), Lincoln Center’s concert with Disney composer Alan Menken, and the Broadway bound rock musical CHIX 6. New works he’s helped develop include Femme Fatale (starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Sara Ramirez), Viva la Diva, Lovelace, Holding On and A Proper Place. Choreographic endeavors for TV: ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars Road Trip,” The Rachael Ray Show, and “Dance Your A** Off.” As writer: book/lyrics for The Man Who Would Be King, Book/lyrics for Merlin’s Magicademy (produced at Six Flags theme parks throughout North America), head writer/lyricist for the Emmy-winning Oklahoma Centennial TV special starring Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill, and Shirley Jones, and DJ has written the opening song for two Tournament of Roses Parades. www.djsalisbury.com.