The inspiration to create theatrical work can come from many places. It can start as a spark of revelation or it can begin out of utter frustration. British producer (and longtime Buddy Holly fan) Laurie Mansfield was so irritated by the inaccuracies of the 1978 film The Buddy Holly Story that he decided to take matters into his own hands. With the collaboration of Sir Paul McCartney (who owned the rights to Buddy Holly’s music,) writer Alan Janes, and producers Paul Elliot and Greg Smith, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story was born and took the West End by storm in 1989. Buddy the Musical had a brief stint on Broadway before commencing on several national tours on different continents. A new U.S. tour has launched this season and Broadway In Chicago is proud to present this show at the Cadillac Theatre. But who exactly was the icon that inspired the musical?
The titular character of this rousing jukebox musical may not be as familiar to current audiences as he was to the theatre-going crowds of the late 1980’s. The general public of the late 1980’s knew about the tragic event that ended Holly’s life through the aforementioned Buddy Holly biographical film, the Don McLean song “American Pie”,” and the 1989 Ritchie Valenz biographical film La Bamba. Beyond the eponymous glasses that have found their way into popular fashion, today’s audiences would be surprised to know that many iconic musicians cite Holly as an influence, including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. This production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is the perfect way to get to know the man behind the glasses through his life and music.
While the world lost the single most influential creative force in early rock and roll “the day the music died,” his legacy lives on in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story! Chicago is one of the first stops in Buddy’s U.S. tour and Broadway In Chicago is excited to “rip it up” with this stellar cast starting June 18. It’s only here for a short time, so get your tickets now by clicking here!
