Ivoryton’s “Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story” good ol’ Rock ‘n’ Roll

IVORYTON — “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story” at the Ivoryton Playhouse is a musical tribute to a man whose career tragically ended just as it was starting.
The late 1950s was the beginning of a musical and social revolution in the United States so dramatic and extreme that it is difficult to comprehend today.
For those early rock music pioneers, like Holly, it was a dramatic break from the good old standard country music and the romantic crooners, to the wild and raucous sound of rock ‘n’ roll. Some referred to the music as a “communicable disease,” and many thought it was the devil incarnate. Some still do.
Holly wasn’t the gorgeous bad boy, sticking as he did with his nerdy look with geeky glasses, and to his music-writing skills, coming up with an amazing amount of music in a short time that is still well-known today.
His songs include classics such as “Peggy Sue” (which we learn was originally “Cindy Lou” but changed so the drummer could get with a girl) “That’ll Be The Day,” “Why Do Fools,” “A Teenager In Love,” and “Maybe Baby.”
Gregg Hammer does an excellent job as the young Holly, who died in an airplane crash in a blizzard along with Ritchie Havens and “The Big Bopper” (J.P. Richardson), on Feb. 3, 1959 at the age of 22.
The show feels more like a musical concert with dialog inserted now and again than a musical.
They sing mostly Holly songs, of course, but also include a whole range of music from pure country, to a melodic acapella tune, and plenty of early rock.
They perform The Big Bopper’s rousing rendition of the novelty song, “Chantilly Lace,” sung by the robust Robert W. Schultz Jr., to “La Bomba” by the hip-swinging Ritchie Havens played by the kinesthetic Khalid Rivera.
They also travel to the Apollo Theater, with fine performances by Apollo performers Antoine L. Smith and Patryce Williams, where the all-white band is eventually embraced.
The costumes, by Pam Puente, are period perfect, with ties for the rock ‘n’ roll band members and poofy skirts for the gals. The backup singers’ fancy dresses in Act II look a little like shiny, pastel shower curtains in the lights though, and one of the dresses is too long for the most petite singer.
Danielle Erin Rhodes is a real standout as Vi Petty, the wife of the band’s manager, Norman Petty, played by Steve Gagliastro. Rhodes makes the most out of her part as the spunky wife who can tear it up on the keyboards.
Directed by Jacqueline Hubbard, with excellent musical direction by John S. DeNicola, they manage to create coherence and a fast-paced production with a large cast playing multiple roles.
The set, by Cully Long, is seemingly simple, with the center being the music stage, and the sides being the sound studios and back stage scenes, which work well. They use a technical overhead projection that lists where Holly et al are at in any given moment, which is helpful for orientation, and works smoothly.
That twirling disco ball spins relentlessly for the entire second act, which is head ache-producing and far too long. Best to use it briefly during the encore only.
The show is a real crowd-pleaser, with audience participation neatly rolled in with a summer raffle to help pay for the Ivoryton Playhouse’s summer intern program.
It’s a full night of early rock ‘n’ roll at the Ivoryton Playhouse the “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story,” running through Sunday, Aug. 1.

BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

3Stars
Location: Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT
Production: Written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson. Directed by Jacqueline Hubbard. Musical direction by John S. DeNicola. Scenic design by Cully Long. Stage manager Johanna K. Levai. Lighting design by Doug Harry. Costume design by Pam Puente
Running time: 2 ½ hours including one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Aug. 1.
Tickets: $38 for adults, $33 for seniors, $20 for students, and $15 for children 12 and under. Call the box office at 860-767-7318, or visit their website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Gregg Hammer … Buddy Holly
Daniel Orion Glynn … Joe Maudlin, musician
John Rochette … Jerry Allison, musician
Jason Naylor … Hipockets Duncan
Samantha Joy Pearlman … Maria Elena, jingle and backup singer
Robert W. Schultz Jr. … The Big Bopper, Decca producer
Steve Gagliastro … Norman Petty, musician
Khalid Rivera … Ritchie Valens, Radio DJ
Danielle Erin Rhodes … Vi Petty, musician
Antoine L. Smith … Apollo performer
Patryce Williams … Apollo performer
John S. DeNicola … Murray Deutch, English DJ, musician
Joe Petrowski … Radio engineer
Charles Everett Crocco … DJ, Decca engineer, Hayrider
Justin Boudreau … MC at Clearlake, Hayrider, radio DJ
Amaris Montoya … Shirley, backup singer
Logan Whaley … 4th Cricket, Tommy Alsop
Alanna Burke … Mary Lou Sokolof, jingle and backup singer, Hayrider
Brandon Clark … Radio DJ, Hayrider
Gayle Elizabeth LaBrec … Jingle and backup singer, Peggy Sue