10/03/2019 18:47:00
by Rick Thorne
Buddy Holly
New York, NY
James Larson is an actor, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC who has played Buddy Holly to critical acclaim and smashing box-office records in a number of productions of the show. Besides rocking the stage on guitar, James has also starred in Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Into the Woods.
Hailing from the music haven of Portland, Oregon, James honed his love of music in award-winning bands, playing guitar, bass, and lead singer/songwriter. His love of acting brought him to New York City to study at Meisner's famed Neighborhood Playhouse.
James David Larson as Buddy (Millbrook Playhouse, 2011)
James plays acoustic/electric guitar, electric/upright bass (including bass tricks), viola, lead vocals, and some piano.
Credits include:
National Tours: 2013 North American tour of Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story* (*as well as playing the lead Buddy Holly at Millbrook Playhouse (PA)) / National Tour of Monty Python's Spamalot (Not Dead Fred, Prince Herbert, u/s ensemble) / National Tour of Twelfth Night (Feste) / National Tour of Into the Woods (u/s Cinderella’s Prince / Wolf / Lucinda / Jack / Steward / Rapunzel’s Prince / Florinda / Mysterious Man).
New York Theater:
Off-Broadway: Originating principal roles in New York Classical Theatre's panto musical, Malvolio's Revenge (Romeo/Richard III/Benedick). Off-Off Broadway: Originated principal role of Kenny Krumholtz in Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist, a show The New York Times called "bliss and a half" as part of the prestigious New York Musical Theatre Festival / Julius Caesar (Cassius, Smith Street Stage).
Regional: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (Buddy, Millbrook Playhouse) / My Way (Man 2, directed by DJ Salisbury, Smithtown PAC) / 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear, Oregon Cabaret Theatre) / Little Women (Laurie, Oregon Stage Works).
Reviews:
"...Larson seemed to channel the voice of Holly"
- Justin Packer, The Express
"James David Larson carried the show, the music, and the attitude to perfection. His energy was amazing"
- Pat Park, The Gazette
"Heading the cast and displaying some phenomenal energy is James David Larson as Charles Hardin Holly… Larson's acting effectively shows how Holly obsessively directed his own career along the path he chose while remaining loyal and caring to his friends and fellow musicians"
- John Felix, The Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Contact:
Email: jamesdavid1@gmail.com
Phone: 971-404-6902
