'Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story' at Drury Lane Oakbrook

 
The most successful rock 'n' roll musical of all time, chronicling the life of one of America's biggest music icons, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, previews May 22, opens May 29 and runs through July 27 at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL. First seen in London's West End in 1989, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, has since toured the world, playing to audiences numbering over 20 million, proving how irresistible Buddy Holly's songs and style still remain today. Directed by Tammy Mader with Musical Direction and Re-Orchestrations by Malcolm Ruhl, Justin Berkobien will star as Buddy Holly.
 
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is a rock 'n' roll journey through the life of the legendary singer/songwriter Buddy Holly, who shot to stardom in 1957, only to be tragically killed in a plane crash two years later on the day legend says "the music died."  Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story features a score full of over twenty classic toe-tapping tunes from Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens including "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day," "You Send Me", "La Bamba" and "Chantilly Lace". From his first recording contract and move to New York to his fatal tour of Midwest America, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story explains how, in just three short years, he changed the face of popular music forever.
 
The original West End production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story starred Paul Hipp as "Buddy Holly" and was directed by Rob Bettinson. It opened on October 12,1989 at the Victoria Palace Theatre, where it remained for six years before transferring to the Strant Theatre for another six years and five months. The production ran for a total of more than 5,000 performances, making it one of the longest-running musicals in London history. The Broadway production, also directed by Bettinson and starring Hipp opened on November 4, 1990 at the Shubert Theatre.
 
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story has toured extensively, including productions mounted in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Finland, Ireland, Japan and Singapore. A 27 city United States tour was mounted in 2000 and tours were also mounted in the UK in both 2006 and 2007. The West End London revival opened on August 3, 2007 at The Duchess Theatre, where it continues to run to this day.
 
Joining Justin Berkobien as "Buddy" will be Casey Campbell as "Big Bopper", Tony Sancho as "Ritchie" and Tempe Thomas as "Maria". Other cast members include Jim Barclay, Lill-Anne Brown, Dara Cameron, Dina DiCostanzo, Michael Gerhart, Dieterich Gray, Derek Hasenstab, Gregory Hirte, Jennifer Loftus, Michael Mahler, Katie Miller, David Morrison, Karen Richardson, Neda Spears, Byron Willis and Bernie Yvon.
 
Tammy Mader directs and choreographs with Musical Direction and Re-Orchestrations by Malcolm Ruhl.  Other designers include Brian Sidney Bembridge as Set Designer, Rich Norwood as Lighting Designer and Tatjana Radisic as Costume Designer.
 
The performance schedule is as follows:  

Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6 p.m.  

Season subscriptions start as low as $95 for 5 shows. Show prices range from $24 to $54 (depending on the day of the week); Lunch or Dinner and Theatre Packages are available. Inquire at box office or website for details and prices. For reservations, phone (630) 530-0111 or call TicketMaster at 312-599-1212. You may also visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.