Reviews (abridged):
“This year’s Buddy Holly, Dan Whelton, appeared in the previous production in the role of Tommy Allsup, the fourth member of The Crickets, Holly’s back-up band. Like the rest of the company, the four actors who play the band play instruments and act and can sing. One woman, Chelsie Nectow, acts and plays piano and celeste and violin. The saxophone was impressively played by Autumn Marchetto. It is a remarkable collection of professionals...
Dan Whelton (second from left) as Buddy Holly, backed by (L-R) Josh Karam, Jacob Nichols, and Doug Wallace as The Crickets (Photo: Kait Rankins)
“The company players all did very good jobs. Joshua Aaron Mason as a record producer who became Holly’s manager was excellent; Greg Mitchell Alexander as Denzel Jefferson was terrific; Shannon Lamb as Marlena Madison was comically spectacular. Brad Shepard as the Surf Ballroom MC did a good job, even making jokes about the dead microphone which might not have been jokes in the script. Who knows? Natasha Ellis, Shannon Lamb, Chelsie Nectow, and Tina Sparkle were the best girl group, The Snowbirds. Sparkle also shone in her moments as Holly’s wife, Maria Elena Santiago. Calem Koval was a brilliant Ritchie Valens, and Shaun O’Keefe’s Big Bopper was great.
“Director Danny Eaton kept the show alive and very motivated from start to finish… He was beautifully aided by Chelsie Nectow, who was in charge of the show’s musical staging. It all worked beautifully and kept the show honest and real. Costume Designer Dawn McKay drew the contemporary images perfectly. Scenic Designer Josiah Durham often surprised with period touches. Daniel D. Rist designed the lighting for the show with an eye toward the period (1956 – 1959) that gave the show its reality.
“And of course the songs… they rock through your brain and your body… This musical story is a songbook of memories. It makes for a fine experience”
—J. Peter Bergman,
The Berkshire Edge
Tina Sparkle (as Maria Elena) and Dan Whelton (Buddy) (Photo: Kait Rankins)
“Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield is joyous, toe-tapping, finger-snapping, electrifying musical fun... there is a TON of great music to be enjoyed here… Holly (Dan Whelton) excels not only at his portrayal of Buddy Holly but also excels playing Holly's songs on guitar.
“Holly’s climb to fame alongside his bandmates, the Crickets - aka Jerry Allison (Jacob Nichols), Joe B. Mauldin (Josh Karam) and Tommy Allsup (Doug Wallace) - is chronicled. With Whelton, the above trio of actor-musicians never fail to provide some of the most incredible musical moments of the entire production. They make it entertaining to listen to and, above all, just plain fun to watch.
“The musicians and singers, throughout the show but particularly in the finale, are all absolutely exciting and riveting… A tough show technically, scene changes were done expeditiously and lighting and sound were kept simple, making the entire production flow efficiently. For a fun, dynamite musical experience tailor-made to "Rip It Up," Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story continues in West Springfield at the Majestic Theater…”
—Kevin T. Baldwin, METRMAG
(L-R) Shaun O’Keefe, Dan Whelton, and Caleb Koval as Rock & Roll pioneers J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens (Photo: Kait Rankins)
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