BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY to Play Music Hall's Historic Theater, 7/9-13

Excitement is mounting for the toe-tapping, hand-clapping, rock & roll musical that has captivated audiences worldwide and is now bringing Broadway to The Music Hall's Historic Theater in Portsmouth, NH, July 9-13. "No summer is going to be complete without seeing Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story-the start of our exciting new series with Ogunquit Playhouse," said Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of The Music Hall. "This is a big deal not only for our two performing arts institutions, but also for the community. We are so excited to offer a Broadway-caliber show-you don't need to travel to New York to enjoy some of the most enjoyable musical theater of our time! There's good reason that Buddy was a smash hit in New York and the most successful show in the history of the Ogunquit Playhouse-it's a captivating story and a joyous celebration of iconic rock & roll that I promise will have audiences on their feet! Don't miss it."

"Not only is Buddy a compelling story with irresistible music, but it comes to the Music Hall stage with the unprecedented quality that has earned Ogunquit Playhouse a far-reaching reputation for outstanding musical theater," added Lynch. "The Ogunquit Playhouse is a musical theater powerhouse that is unmatched when it comes to quality productions and star power," she said. "Its reputation for being America's foremost summer theatre is well-earned, and with casts of stars that reads like a who's who of the Broadway stage. We can't wait to welcome back the amazing Kurt Jenkins, who is taking time off from his role in Million Dollar Quartet in Chicago to reprise his starring role as Buddy in Portsmouth."

The show tells the story of Buddy's meteoric rise to the top of the record charts during the golden days of rock 'n' roll-just a few short years that changed the course of musical history and influenced some of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, from John Lennon to Bob Dylan, and from Keith Richards to Eric Clapton. "Holly passed it on via the Beatles and via us," said The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards. "He's in everybody..." The play chronicles the tragically short life of this sensational singer, songwriter, and musician who shot to stardom in 1957 when "That'll Be the Day" hit the airways- only to die in a plane crash two years later alongside 17-year old Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson ("the Big Bopper."). Audiences are swept away with such rousing 50s favorites as "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby," "That'll Be the Day," "Raining In My Heart," "La Bamba," "Chantilly Lace," and more foot-stomping tunes from Buddy's brief but prolific oeuvre. This is a theatrical event that combines narrative andsong in an irresistible synthesis of story and music. It ran on the London stage for 13 consecutive years and was the most popular musical in Ogunquit Playhouse history. Get your tickets now-it rocks The Music Hall for five days only!

Kurt Jenkins first performed the role of Buddy at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2012, receiving rave reviews from critics and theater-goers alike. He went on to star in subsequent productions in New York, as well as in the 2013 National Tour. Currently living in Chicago, Jenkins is taking a break from his performance in the hit musical Million Dollar Quartet, to reprise his starring role as Buddy at The Music Hall Historic Theater. "Playing Buddy is the most fun I've ever had on stage," said Jenkins. "The energy exchange between the cast and the audience is unlike anything else I've experienced. Plus, the music and the story of of Buddy Holly is so rewarding to perform and I'm always discovering something new within his music."

"Without Buddy", Jenkins noted, rock & roll wouldn't have been the same. "Everyone should experience the music and the story of Buddy Holly. If you're of Buddy's generation, then you can be a kid again. If you're of my generation, then you'll experience the most fun history lesson you'll have all year. And kids will love it, too-just listen to the music. Buddy Holly and Miley Cyrus are singing about the same things, just packaged differently for their respective generations."

Tickets for Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at The Music Hall box office in the Historic Theater, 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, over the phone at (603)-436-2400, or on our website www.themusichall.org.

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