Author Archives: Rick Thorne

SPENCER COMMUNITY THEATRE, Spencer, IA

Buddy had audiences dancing in the aisles in 2008, becoming the biggest hit in the theatre's history. The show was such a success, SCT remounted the production the following year in Mason City, IA, as part of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of 'the Day the Music Died'. And a very special person joined the cast on stage for the encore! 

MATT McCLURE

Atlanta, GA

Originally from Kennesaw, GA, Matt first played Buddy back in 2015 in the sold-out run of the show at Venice Theatre in Florida. Since then, he has gone on to perform in numerous other productions across the country, as Buddy and also the fourth Cricket. This year (2021), he will don the horn-rimmed glasses twice more!

MIKE BRENNAN

New York, NY

Mike is a New York based actor/singer who has portrayed the Big Bopper to much acclaim in many highly successful runs of Buddy including the recent 2015 US National Tour. He has also appeared as the Bopper in productions of Buddy at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (Fort Myers, FL), Laguna Playhouse (Laguna Beach, CA), Cortland Repertory Theatre (Cortland, NY), and Casino Rama Resort & Casino (Rama, ON).

DAVID REED

New York, NY

Originally hailing from Decatur, IL, David Reed has performed as Marvin Madison (Apollo Performer) on two national tours of Buddy (2015 U.S. and 2013 U.S. and Canada), and six productions of the show overall.

DALEN GUNN

New York, NY


Originally from the mountains of North Idaho and a graduate of New York City’s The Circle In The Square, Dalen’s Buddy credits in the lead role include two sold-out runs at the Civic Theatre of Spokane, WA, Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL (2014), and the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Jacksonville, FL (2015).


TODD MEREDITH

New York, NY


Todd is a New York-based actor/musician originally from Albany, New York, who has starred as Buddy Holly in numerous productions of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. Most recently he has toured the country with the latest North American tour of the show.

JENNY STODD

New York, NY
Jenny, a Midwest native now based out of New York, has been fortunate to travel the country with Buddy. She has played the role of Maria Elena on the 2013-2014 National Tour and at regional venues including Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, The El Dorado Casino (Reno), Little Theatre on the Square (IL), Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada, and most recently at Laguna Playhouse in California during summer 2014. Jenny will reprise her role on the forthcoming 2015 Buddy U.S. tour.

DAVID MARMANILLO

New York, NY


A graduate of the Hartt School of Music, David has performed as Ritchie Valens in a number of productions of Buddy, including smash-hit runs at Forestburgh Playhouse (NY) and Alhambra Theatre & Dining in Jacksonville (FL).