Photo Flash: Wayside Theatre Presents BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

The musical, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story chronicles the 1950's meteoric rise of Buddy Holly and The Crickets from Lubbock, Texas small radio station, his initial success, to the top of the charts becoming the biggest selling record artist worldwide before to his death in a plane crash in 1959, at age 21. Holly's bumpy ride to stardom takes him to New York, where, after a 5-hour courtship, he marries Maria Elena Santiago. Her influence on him forces a break with The Crickets and their manager, and sets Buddy onto a solo career. His decision to go on the road with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper is one that ultimately kills him...and them...on "The Day the Music Died." Bop to over twenty of Holly's hits and remember the Hall of Famer, Buddy Holly hits "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day" to "Rave On.".

Warner Crocker, Artistic Director, said "Buddy Holly's brief life has become the stuff of legend. We are excited to be able to bring back Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. The musical is a celebration of the legend and catches that unique mixture of innocence, determination, humor and charm that was Buddy Holly and wraps it all into a package that truly deserves the billing: The world's most successful rock & roll musical." Crocker said, "Also, we hope the "Dress for the 50's Night" will be a great fun evening for our patrons to turn back the clock and re-create their youth and dress up to enjoy the 50's and the legendary musical trend setter Buddy Holly performance. Buddy Holly was in the first group of inductees for the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame Museum in 1986."

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Warner Crocker, Artistic Director and Music Director is Steve Przybylski. The production is designed by Til Turner, Set Designer and Technical Director, Paul Callahan, Lighting and Sound Designer, and Catherine Lovejoy, Costume Designer.

The large cast is a mixture of Wayside Theatre audience veteran favorites: Returning to recreate the role of Buddy Holly is Robbie Limon (Southern Crossroads, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story), Thomasin Savaiano (Man of La Mancha, Southern Crossroads, Smoke on the Mountains trilogy, Diaries of Adam & Eve), Richard Follett (Miracle on 34th Street, Sanders Family Christmas, A Christmas Story, Hank Williams, Lost Highway), Steve Przybylski (Southern Crossroads, Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Clay Arthur (Cotton Patch Gospel, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story), Vaughn Irving (Man of La Mancha, A Christmas Story, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Othello), David Maga (Southern Crossroads, Smoke on the Mountain trilogy, Miracle on 34th Street, Sherlock Holmes, The Final Adventure), Bob Payne (Miracle on 34th Street, Cotton Patch Gospel, Smoke on the Mountain, God's Men in Texas), Aviva Pressman (Miracle on 34th Street, Man of La Mancha, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure) and Jayson Belew (Miracle on 34th Street, Man of La Mancha, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure).

Performances will continue through March 13th. Ticket prices are $25 to $30 dollars for adults. Prices for children 17 and under are $10 for any show. Ask about discounts available for students and seniors. Group discounts are also available. Wayside Theatre also sells discounted subscriptions for the entire season with options that fit any budget and any schedule. Performances each week for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story will be Saturday matinees at 2:30 pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm beginning February 14th.

Wayside Theatre is the oldest professional theatre in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is celebrating its 48th season of presenting high quality, professional entertainment in 2009-2010. Single tickets and group packages can be obtained by calling the Box Office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org. Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.

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